How Can Human Rights Become “Anti-National”?
By Devika Mittal
10 December, 2014
Countercurrents.org
As I thought of 10 December which is observed as International Human Rights’ Day, I imagined different groups of activists across the world trying to use this day to raise awareness or advocate for their cause for justice and humanity. I also thought that we as a campaign against AFSPA should also plan something for 10 December. We must try to advocate for repeal of the black law. We must plan maybe a candle-light vigil or some other form of public demonstration. But then I asked myself, “for whom?”
Who will listen to us? Who will come for the public demonstration? Who will bother to understand rather than just read and react to “Repeal AFSPA”? Is there any hope in this country where now peace and human rights are considered to be above the national interest?
In the World’s largest democracy, it has become a crime to even think freely. Our thinking needs to be within the boundaries of our respective caste, social identity and nation. We are not allowed to think beyond. We are not allowed to question. We are supposed to accept anything that the state does. We are supposed to not only accept but justify it. After all, it is “our” state and “our” country. But isin’t the constitution “our” own?
What about the ideals that is granted to us in the constitution? How can we who are only demanding that the basic fundamental of the constitution be implemented be called traitors? Are we saying the basic core of the constitution is anti-national? How can equality, justice, truth and secularism be considered as anti-national?
How can the demand to give justice to all, to give basic human rights to all be considered as above national interest? How can the right to life be considered as anti-national?
These are the questions that we must ask from the state, from the army, from the media and from a section of people who conveniently use the shelter of national interest, national integrity to challenge these very fundamental ideals of the constitution. Who is being a traitor? Can we ask them?
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been proved to be an inhuman law. This has been acknowledged by national and international human rights’ organisations, government appointed committees, our own politicians, our judiciary and even by retired army officers. To those who say that calling AFSPA as inhuman is an exaggeration or a lie or a conspiracy. Who are all traitors? Are the above-mentioned people also traitors?
The violence done in the garb of AFSPA is not an aberration. Ask a person who has lived in the conflict zones of North-East and Kashmir what everyday life is. Read any committee report, read reports of human rights’ organisation. How much violence can be regarded as collateral damage? Can sexual violence be regarded as collateral damage?
It is so easy to call people funded or agents. But question is, who are all funded? Are the above-mentioned groups – NHRC, politicians, judiciary, retired army people, funded? Are they agents too?
Denying the reality will not curb it. I wish, it could though. The reality is out there and it is disgusting. There are people in the uniform who are taking advantage of their position. There are criminals hiding in the uniform and they need to be weeded out. Asking for transparency is not above national interest, is it? Asking for punishment for criminals has not become anti-national yet, or has it?
AFSPA is a failed law. AFSPA could not weed out insurgency. Instead, it has increased it. This is again not us “traitors” saying. We cannot bind people using force. Infact, we must not try to bind people. We need to bond with them.
AFSPA has to go. Think as some of us, the privileged ones, can atleast think. There are others who don’t need to think as they live it. They struggle with it.
Devika Mittal is pursuing her M.Phil in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics. She is core member of Mission Bhartiyam and member of national core committee of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. She tweets at @devikasmittal
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