Tuesday, 01 Nov 2011 at 11:110
Ravi Nitesh
AFSPA violates basic human rights. Like PSA, it should be termed as lawless law and of course draconian. We have heard a lot about AFSPA. People of Northeast states and J&K are bearing the brunt on this law from last many years. Thousands have been killed and tortured. Hundred have disappeared. The question is why this law still exists? Why government has not done anything to repeal it?
It is known to all that people detest AFSPA and are continuously raising their voice against its revocation. However, the important factor which isn’t to be overlooked is the efforts of social and civil activists and media in highlighting the issue.
Although it is clear that people living in states of North east and J&K have expressed their displeasure about AFSPA, the opinion is divided in mainland India. Indians living here are not opposing the revocation of AFSPA. The reason for this is: they don’t know what AFSPA is all. What powers a soldier has in area which is AFSPA is implemented. They think that opposing AFSPA is like opposing the army, opposing AFSPA is like initiating a war against government and due to their lack of knowledge, they miss the reality. Whose fault is this? I can’t blame the common people because they do not get any chance to know what AFSPA is all about. It is here that the role of media and activists come into play.
The activists and media have a role in social reformation. Many things, which were once considered sacred and untouchable, have changed in the recourse and they bring many positive reforms in society once they truly work on some issues. But we should accept that activists and media have not done much on the issue of AFSPA.
Though regional media many times bring to fore the atrocities committed under grab of this law from time to time but unfortunately national media has been so vocal.
Many organisations and activists raise their voice in support of AFSPA victims, but they could not bring any change or attract the attention from policy makers.
The ignorance is due to lack of awareness among people. No organisation/activist/media works in spreading awareness among common people about this draconian law.
Media has a role in generating awareness on large scale. Media mostly work with its audio visual impact, which is more powerful and cover large number of people. Activists, on the other hand, can work on grassroots levels. They can work in places where media has no excess. Hence, it is joint effort that can bring change and spread awareness on the issue.
When world is on the path of democracy, AFSPA like laws are unacceptable and unjustified.
The time has come when people assume power, people’s voice be heard. It is time to express solidarity with those have suffered due to this law. AFSPA must be repealed, but that can be done when we raise our voice collectively and spread awareness.
Social activists and media should join their hands and fight for a cause. In democracies, people are real source of power. It is time to believe and follow democratic principles.
Lets come together to fight for a cause, for a better democracy, for a secure life.
Author resides at New Delhi and can be mailed at ravinitesh@gmail.com or
www.twitter.com/ravinitesh.
DISCLAIMER:
Views or opinions presented in this article are author’s own and not the organisation with which he is related.
Published in Risingkashmir dated 02 NOV 2011: http://risingkashmir.com/news/spread-a-word-17613.aspx
