It’s time we recognised that our neighbouring state is the only one worth living in because of how progressive it is
The 11 rapists convicted in the Bilkis Bano case were allowed to walk free on August 15 this year and were welcomed with sweets in Godhra. Pic/PTI
Rapists need to be rehabilitated. This is a fact that was brought home to me only when I heard of how some men accused of this heinous crime in 2002 were recently felicitated in a state that shares its borders with Maharashtra. Eleven of them had been convicted, then set free, because our new India is that kind of country. Apparently, the criminals stepped out of prison to greetings with garlands and sweets, after which they were applauded publicly in an auditorium. It proved once and for all that the only progressive state in our country is the one right next to our own. We just don’t give it its due.
Rapists need to be rehabilitated. This is a fact that was brought home to me only when I heard of how some men accused of this heinous crime in 2002 were recently felicitated in a state that shares its borders with Maharashtra. Eleven of them had been convicted, then set free, because our new India is that kind of country. Apparently, the criminals stepped out of prison to greetings with garlands and sweets, after which they were applauded publicly in an auditorium. It proved once and for all that the only progressive state in our country is the one right next to our own. We just don’t give it its due.
This is a state that no longer locks away criminals because it recognises that they deserve second and third chances, too. It is also one of few states with the right attitude towards crime, which is why so many criminals now have opportunities to become respected citizens. It’s also why it is a place where criminals can aspire to bigger and brighter things, and why they may even dream of new careers in politics. Some have already succeeded.
I don’t know why it usually has such a poor reputation. Yes, it may be true that no one from this state has been known for bravery or honour or integrity in living memory, and that it isn’t known for sending too many residents to fight for the armed forces, but we never acknowledge those residents who help so many millions of us in other ways. Think of accountants and tax advisors, for instance, without whom we would all struggle with our taxes. Yes, patriotism means paying your taxes without defrauding the government, but everyone from this neighbouring state loudly proclaims how patriotic they are, so why would they do anything as illegal as helping us avoid paying what we owe?
Some people say it is full of fascists and religious fundamentalists, which is also untrue because the odd communal riot that takes place there now and again is actually the sign of a thriving democracy. There were 685 recorded incidents of communal violence in its urban and 114 in rural areas between 1961 and 1971. Things have never really settled down since that decade, but this regular bloodletting isn’t a sign of intolerance; it simply means that its residents have a few disagreements about religion and freedom of religion. Yes, that may be unconstitutional behaviour, but going against the Constitution is a sign that this is also a state where people think for themselves and don’t allow minor issues like the rule of law get in the way of progressive ideas.
Then there is its famous ban on alcohol, marking the only bright spot in otherwise alcohol-obsessed India where residents live clean, vice-free lives. Yes, 136 people died there from the consumption of bootleg liquor in 2009, after which 6,713 people were arrested for the violation of prohibition. But this doesn’t mean alcohol is being consumed in the state though. If bootlegging allegedly thrives, it’s probably because residents of other states are travelling there to drink spurious liquor and give it a bad name. In fact, it’s almost impossible to find anyone from this state who consumes alcohol. Most of them only do so when they are abroad, when they use it to wash down their meat dishes in order to fit in culturally. This isn’t hypocrisy; it’s a sign that these are people who genuinely want to be seen as tolerant and accepting of other cultures and at least one or two other religions.
Critics often cite the Human Development Index when they criticise our neighbouring state, unfairly citing statistics that make it look bad. Yes, the National Family Health Survey recently revealed that it was second only to Bihar with 39.7 per cent of its children from 0 to 5 years being underweight. It is also true that, according to data from the Integrated Child Development Scheme, 51 per cent of girls between 11 and 19 there had a low body mass index. I would like to point out, however, that a state cannot be judged by how poorly it treats girls and children. Why aren’t we looking at the number of millionaires it has created over the past decade instead? Doesn’t that count for something?
The only thing that surprises me is why so many residents of our neighbouring state spend their lives desperately reaching for the West. If they love India more than the rest of us, why do they want to leave?
When he isn’t ranting about all things Mumbai, Lindsay Pereira can be almost sweet. He tweets @lindsaypereira
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The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper.
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