What you will read today in this blog, readers, are my unfiltered thoughts—thoughts born out of disappointment, disgust, and distress. Excuse my grammatical errors and abrupt transitions. That’s how our mind works when it is disturbed, I suppose. Sometimes it fails to understand chronology. And so does my mind. And so does my blog.
*****
I’ve been following the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar for quite some time. For a broader perspective, I also did some background research on who’s who in this protest. Listening to so many people on TV debates and podcasts with polarised viewpoints, honestly, I feel quite confused. Whom to believe? Was this protest about students’ concerns and complaints, or had it been born out of political angst and agenda?
Of course, our education system has flaws, because it is created by humans who also have flaws. And I am as disappointed with it as the students. I also understand that it must have been exhausting—mentally and physically—for the students who had to bear the consequences—with some ending their lives—of the corrupted people—the ones who supplied the NEET-UG exam paper and those who demanded it.
There’s always a supply and demand angle to such leaks. So, is demanding the resignation of Mr Pradhan, the Education Minister, sufficient? Could it be the first step towards a better education system?
That’s a general opinion. A similar view was also shared by one of the NEET aspirants on a news channel. She believed that at least asking for a resignation would serve as a deterrent for the new minister who would fill his place. Okay. Makes sense. But then, what if the same thing happened under the leadership of the new minister?
In this case also, Mr Pradhan didn’t leak the paper; people working under him, and those working under these people, and many down the ladder. In fact, the person who leaked the paper was the paper setter.
What I am trying to say is that the problem isn’t just the minister; it’s the corrupted system. And how, where, and when does corruption begin? It begins with us—the people of the country.
How many of you have handed a 100-rupee note to the policeman when you are pulled aside for flouting some traffic rules? How many of you have gotten your driving license without appearing for the driving test? How many of you have bribed the pujari or pandit or maulvi or whoever for a VIP entry to the sanctum sanctorum at a religious place? How many of you got a fake sick leave certificate from your family doctor?
These are just a few day-to-day life instances. Corruption has seeped into us to such an extent that sometimes we don’t even notice it until such incidents occur. And then it becomes very easy to play the blame game.
Okay. Blame the government’s policy. Blame the system. Start a protest. Demand a change. Question a policy. These are the democratic rights of every citizen of India.
But with rights also come responsibilities. Were the protesters using language befitting a responsible citizen? How does one justify the vile and vulgar language used by many protesters at Jantar Mantar to voice their dissent? How can one agree with expletives used for the Prime Minister of the country?
Was it just for social media reels? Performative? For likes and followers? Where’s the accountability—something the protesters kept demanding from the government?
Would such language have been tolerated during the time of the Emergency in India?
*****
Student: Uncle said that the school trip is always free for you.
Teacher: Not free of the responsibility for 100 students for an entire week.
*****
I’d like for readers to share their thoughts on this issue/protest by replying to this blog. You can also DM if you have any opinions/observations. I can post your views, anonymously if you wish, as a reply to my viewpoints.
HAPPY GURU PURNIMA