Shivaji Park Bluez!

Unni has an eloquent view on the events that have begun to unfold in and around Shivaji Park on account of the death anniversary of Ambedkar on Dec-6. Since I pass through that area to and from work, I too get affected, and it catches me by surprise every time. This time though, the fun ‘n’ frolic seems to have begun early…. or then again, I’ve had the good fortune to be out of the city on these days. But here’s Unni on the Shivaji Park - Ambedkar - Dalit plight…. sad, eh??

—–Unni’s PoV—–
Was thinking that maybe you should put in a few thoughts about the dalit issue and our city and the resulting chaos. God alone knows what all drama will happen today and through the 6th. God help the Dadar/Shivaji Park residents …. like he has been doing every year hopefully.

I feel there should be some rules established that says that if any political party stages any sort of protest or demonstration, they should be held responsible for all after effects of the same and made to pay for the repair/replacement or cost involved. This open burning of a train is completely ridiculous. And its even more weird that apart from the particular days news coverage, there has been no more discussion or accountability established about the same. What is the message being given here? That its o.k to destroy public property if you are
politically large enough group? And no one will be held responsible?

Suppose there were some people or children locked in any toilet of the rain before it was burnt? And if one says that there was particular care taken to ensure that the entire train was emptied before it was torched, then would that not be an act of deliberate arson and completely
punishable by law? Premeditated and all that sort of thing? What is the sense of arresting 175 odd people? If there is a case conducted it will take decades. And if they are punished it might be no more than a couple of months of relaxed jail time. At the governments expense.

Absolutely no sense in arresting these people. They are obviously driven by some passion and a feeling of righteousness in whatever they did. All their accumulated frustrations coming out and all that sort. All it needed was a suitably wily political leadership to let it all loose.

I suggest a law (if there isn’t one already in place) that will simply recover the entire costs of the damage caused by any particular show of strength (or whatever) from the party (or parties) involved. Our current process of law does not seem to be any deterrent since there are so many
ways to circumvent the standard processes. And I feel nothing hurts more than a monetary fine. So let there be a standard menu so to speak:

• Burning of vehicles or public transport……… replacement cost of damaged goods plus penalty.
• Burning of private vehicles and goods……. replacement cost of damaged goods plus penalty and maybe insurance.
• Destruction of public property……. replacement cost of damaged goods plus penalty.
• Causing bodily harm, loss of limb, eye, etc……. replacement of organ (if possible) by suitably fanatically dedicated party members (that should be very inspiring for new recruits too, no?)
• Loss of life…… care of the victims family by party to maintain the same if not minimum standard of living.

….. And so on and so forth. am sure there will be a torrent of many many more suggestions from the janta.

—–Unni’s PoV End—–