Jobs, not words
SC clarification on dropping cases against protesters is timely. Authorities should focus on real issues
By clarifying that states can withdraw or close FIRs filed against protesters during last month’s student protests, SC has done a service to students, police, courts, and democracy. It’s been 10 days since CJP called off its protest, and while states did announce they would withdraw cases, the fear of prosecution remained. This was partly due to SC’s earlier permission to police, to proceed with investigation without taking coercive action. But Monday’s clarification is a call to let bygones be, unless suspects have previously been named in serious crimes like rape and murder.
Considering that the protests were largely peaceful, and clashes on and after July 20 did not lead to significant loss of public property, these cases would have become an unnecessary burden on police and judiciary, and disrupted studies of thousands of students. Plus, many cases were only about the use of unparliamentary language, and should never have been filed. Because everything that some, or even many, people find objectionable isn’t illegal. Condemn such language as poor taste. But our police is not language police. Yet, police and some non-state actors have devoted their energy to the pursuit of exactly such cases. The hounding of a 15-year-old girl and her single mother has made headlines. Yes, the girl spoke unpalatable words, but surely the state has more important things to do than going after cursing teens.
The sooner everyone puts events of July 20-25 behind them, the better. What shouldn’t be forgotten, though, are the reasons that led up to the protests. Quick recap: a string of exam leaks and the shrinking job market. The protests were a reflection of youth angst, and govt should focus on addressing it. Filing cases to make an example of protesters is just a distraction that takes us away from the real goal. It’s well-known that India has world’s largest Gen Z population. Until recently, we were celebrating it as our demographic dividend. But growing unemployment, especially in this cohort, can have a destabilising effect on the country.
Then there’s the question of fairness in admission tests. When opportunities are shrinking, the contenders expect merit to be the sole criterion for getting them. But exam leaks show that’s not the case. Merit’s been bypassed. So, govt’s task is cut out. It has to bring the education system up to date, make exams foolproof, and create a political and economic environment in which job opportunities grow. Who said what in the heat of a protest, doesn’t matter.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
