AN OPEN LETTER TO ARUNDHATI ROY

Ms. Arundhati Roy ,
I heard of you for the first time when you were awarded the prestigious Booker Prize in 1997 for your debut novel “ THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS”. At that time , I was just 13 years old and studying in class 8 with little knowledge of India and the world. You were ,on the other hand , with your proved dexterity ,bracing for a career laden with responsibilities of educating and spreading the message of love, dignity and justice to the masses.
We have come a long way since then. As my understanding of the world over the period of time has increased, so has your quest and desire for peace and equity. Both of these developments evidently suggest that barring some western countries , stories of oppression and injustice against common people keeps pouring in time and again from various corner of the world. Situation becomes more deplorable when it is backed by the ruling government and its machineries. While the democratic set-up may ensure a just society, existence of autocracy and military dictatorship in several Asian and African countries has tossed the lives of common people in a precarious air of helplessness.
We have several instances from our neighboring countries like Pakistan and Afganistan , where people have been living under a reign of perpetual terror and untold sufferings without actually enjoying their civil and political rights. Women and children have been found to be the most vulnerable section of society .If anything has become cheaper in these countries , that is the lives of common people who become victims of reckless violence unleashed by Islamic fundamentalist groups. Persecution of artists , filmmaker and writers is common and they cannot freely express themselves as they are forced to stoop before wishes of the undemocratic government and the dictates of a number of fundamentalist groups.
Just a few days back “THE HINDU” came out with the story of a young boy from Somalia whose one leg and one hand was amputed for his alleged involvement in theft. The act was carried out in full public view at the behest of the most powerful and brutal fundamentalist group, AL-SHABAB. While validating the cruel punishment , the shariayat law was said to be taken for reference which allows amputations for petty crimes like theft. The ordeal of the young man became more pronounced when the next day he was informed of miscalculation in amputing his leg and a saw was used to further shorten his leg without using any anesthesia and anti-septic medication. This is just an example and we all are aware of the fact of the prevalence of medieval mindset and legal framework in different parts of the world which has robbed people of their respect and dignity and left them bound to lead a life full of trouble and tribulations.
Ms. Roy, far and much better are the conditions found in India where democratic values , including RIGHT TO SPEECH, are held in high esteem. We are signatory to a host of national and international peace and justice treaties and our remarkable contribution in this regard has been applauded world-wide. India has been successful in acquiring a unique place in the world because of her constant support to peace , justice and democratic values.
Writers ,like you ,and other artists here feel free to air their views and showcase their creativity with no serious guidelines and obstacle from government. We have seen Sita and Saraswati being painted nude , Muhammad and Jesus being written off the wall , many Hindus’ god name and figure being used for commercial advertisement. And all this with our magnanimity of acceptance and administrative and judicial nod. Ms. Roy , don’t you think that we all must be proud of having the liberty which the people of some other countries have been denied for decades?
So far as the situation in Kashmir is concerned , I feel that Pakistan has no locus in Kashmir and cross-boarder terrorism sponsored by it is an iniquitous act which has to be condemned and countered unequivocally. The presence of Indian army in Kashmir is in direct proportionate to the increase in militancy and cross-boarder terrorism. Had there been no Pakistani-sponsored terrorism , there would have been no thick presence of Indian army in the valley.
Ms. Roy, here I would like to draw your attention towards two important things. First is related with some noble services rendered by these army personnel in Kashmir which have more directly and visibly helped in retaining justice and peace , the very causes you wish to fight for through your writing and activism. The army not only fight with militancy which could have otherwise proved malignant for entire India and south Asia , it also undertake various civil and social measures and protect important installations like ,school ,colleges ,hospitals ,roads ,bridges and dams from being damaged by anti-national elements.
Ms. Roy , if you are still in Kashmir and see small children marching towards their schools , youth towards their colleges ,patients undergoing treatment at hospitals , businessmen carrying out their activities and yourself either roaming around without fear or parking comfortably somewhere, you must feel happy that seeds of peace and justice have been sown and will be guarded against all the nefarious wrong-doers by the very Indian army you accuse of brutality. We simply can not expect tranquility and justice to take place without these social and economic overheads.
Secondly, think of a hypothetical situation of total demilitarization of Kashmir with no let up in cross-boarder terrorism. Do you ,Ms. Roy, think that the people of Kashmir then would be handed over fruits of respect ,freedom, justice and peace? The situation , on the contrary, would turn for worse and then for worst. In no time, kashmiriyat would lapse into Talibanisation and people helplessly dancing at the tune of militants. Would u still feel free to roam around in Kashmir to discern peoples’ conditions ? would u still dare to fight against militants for their oppression and killings ? If your sincere answer to my questions is “no”, then you must admit that India stands for praise. However , If your answer to my questions is “yes”, then why do you not stand with families of 26/11 victims? Why do you not commiserate with widows and children of our brave martyrs who laid down their lives in parliament attack while protecting our leaders and most importantly our sovereignty ? Do you not think that these people are also entitled to seek justice and an explanation for the loss they have suffered? Ms. Roy , I urge you to make a visit to them once you return from Kashmir and you would get the same answer you have got from the enraged kashmiris. They ,too, want “azadi” from terrorism and violence. Why do you stand with your back to them?
Ms. Roy , you try to paint Indian government as villain ,but how many times have you pleaded with AL-QAIDA and TALIBAN to shun the path of violence and flagrant killings ? These organizations are notorious for their inhuman cruelty and their presence and spread pose a great threat to the cause you are fighting for. Why do you not begin a serious battle against them? Why are you silent ? Have you ever tried to build an international fraternity to weed out such organizations ? IF I am not wrong, you have never hold a public meeting in Pakistan to put pressures on them to work against these organizations in spite of your knowledge that Pakistan is the country which nurtures ,supports and exports them for spreading mayhem. If you are a world citizen as you have been claiming for a long time and a true champion of peace and justice, then why this double standard, Ms. Roy ?
I sincerely hope that you have no ulterior motives but It seems to me that you are fighting for yourself and some international recognition like NOBEL FOR PEACE because you also know that only a crusade against state like India can fetch you with the most coveted prize without risking your life and freedom ,while a fight against terrorist organizations and rogue elements can only bring danger and even death to you. What an ingenious move Ms. Roy!
I was appalled to know about your poor interpretation of post-independence Indian history which has led you to conclude that India became a “colonizing power” just after independence. Turn the pages of history Ms. Roy , and you would find that India has never invaded any areas within her reach and, on the contrary, helped in the creation of Pakistan so that people may choose to live in either of the countries as per their wishes. This was all for the sake of peace and justice, Ms. Roy.
The concept of nation-states came into being only in latter part of 18th century when the Moughal power had started decaying and various European colonial power were trying to strengthen their position in India. The period saw the emergence of several new political states as of today in Europe and some other parts of the world. The political awareness in India was the result of exploitative polices of the British government and our knowledge of the progress in the west. The attempt at creation of India after independence should be seen in the light of the ongoing pattern worldwide and our then home minister Mr. Patel was just assimilating the cultural homogeneity for the sake of progress and prosperity of the entire area and giving a concrete shape to the new political state so that the people living in this geographical areas do not face the atrocities at the hands of any prospective invading powers. The federal structure adopted by the constitution of India is a reflection of our guarantee to the provinces (states) of no less important place than the central authority but at par with it.
Your accusation seems to based on the flawed observation of a very brief period of history while neglecting a significant part of history which witness India to be a poor victim of plunder and colonial power but rich and tolerant enough to be accommodative.
Ms. Roy , I am sorry to say but the truth is that you are working on a very small concept of peace and justice .If you think that merely by raising your voice against some political stand of the government you would become a messiah of people , then you need to come out of the illusion and work hard to provide some constructive means and ways to solve some complex and pressing problems INDIA is facing presently. Ms. Roy, take my advice not as an insult but as a challenge since this country, wounded by many social, economic, cultural and political problems, provides ample scope and freedom to work for people like you.
India, on her part, knows very well how peace and justice is ensured. It is ensured through providing education, employment , health-care to the masses. It is ensured through the establishment of civil and unbiased society. It is ensured through providing civil, political and cultural rights to people. It is brought about by scientific and modern outlook. It is found also found in our promises to coming generations and world fraternity. peace and justice dwells in the conservation of forest and environment and plantation of saplings. And India is keen to work in all these areas with a resolute mind and vigorous commitment. Some of the legislations passed recently by the UPA government are truly historic and testimony to the fact that India stand for peace and justice.
Proud of the nation where 13 crore of MuslimS live amicably among 80 crore of Hindus. Proud of the nation where a huge cultural differences are celebrated and enjoyed. Proud of the nation that advocates uprooting terrorism and discrimination. Proud of the nation that is always looked upon as a symbol of tolerance .Proud of the nation in which RIGHT TO SPEECH is considered as important and dear as RIGHT TO LIFE.
Pity the people who shows contempt and ingratitude to the nation that has given so much precious things which are just a dream for the people of some of the other countries.
VASHISTHA RAY.