manan dedhia

6 months ago

Democracy

It was complete co-incidence that I started reading this book at the same time as the drama in South Korea was unfolding. 

And the fact that the people of South Korea shut down this nonsense even before it began, yet again shows the fragile nature of democracy in countries like S Korea who had to fight tooth and nail for it. 

This hard won democracy needs to be protected at all costs. As in South Korea, so in India. It did not come cheap or quick, to be wasted on scoundrels, thugs and charlatans. 

Coomi Kapoor’s book was an engaging, engrossing read. It was enraging at the same time. 

Infuriating because, the end of the Emergency should have spelt the end of careers for those who inflicted it upon India. But it did not. The tortures inflicted on scores of people should have been recognized and justice done. It was not. 

The fact that most of the co-conspirators went on to have flourishing political careers, does not reflect well. 

You live and you learn, could be the only conclusion that does not transpire and foment retaliatory violence. 

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