When I finally logged on to blogger after few years - perplexed what to write, I glanced through Indian newspaper blogs and I found my EUREKA moment. It was the realization that almost all the prominent bloggers in India have forsaken the matters-important-to-the-planet-and-its-inhabitants that may pique their journalistic curiosity in favor of a great National urgency which is the case of Devyani Khobargade - the insulted, exploited, victimized, dishonored, strip-searched (OMG, Americans invented this just to insult her), belonging to dalit caste (the lowest in Indian hierarchy), born to a seemingly-corrupt bureaucrat (I mean real big fish), hitherto unknown to the hardship of an average Indian both at home and abroad, a champion of women rights (so what if she exploited a maid) and an outstanding professional in Indian Foreign Services (so the government describes her). The brave lady tried so hard to maintain her composure under American onslaught because she felt she was representing India (how patriotic!), and I was almost convinced that even the fraud committed by her was a patriotic act.
When the news broke on our ultra efficient 24 x 7 news channels, India was heart-broken. The aspiring super power had woken up to a tsunami of insults, and the usually slothful Indian government displayed an unprecedented alacrity in response resulting in retaliation, oaths and condemnation flying thick and high - "How could they do this to her? The filthy, uncultured, ill-mannered, insensitive, arrogant Americans! Yes, she broke the law! Yes, she committed fraud! Yes, she exploited her maid! Yes, she was aware of the impending action! But she is a diplomat and is immune to law in USA, and she is a civil servant and is ABOVE law in India. Besides, she is a woman and is our daughter/sister, from an esteemed family. How could US marshals touch her and strip her! They will surely rot in hell! Yes, we know that women are being raped in India almost every hour and government chose to ignore it. But you see this is different and she is no ordinary woman. This is not about the rights of an average Indian, this is about an Indian diplomat and her honor is every Indian's honor (Oh! I feel the patriotism rushing through my veins). I can bet if the government can protect her from draconian law in USA which treats everyone equal, every raped girl in India will feel her pain assuaged and her dignity restored. Do you get it now you-dumb-wit!"
This is where I come in - belonging to an average pro-American community of Mango people. One who believes that if the world must have a superpower, it must be the United States, who loves America and wishes to migrate there some day. However, I am patriotic too and the outrage over the issue was infectious. I tried to justify the way Americans behaved but could not find adequate logic. I even went through the Vienna treaty but, alas, could not understand it and I concluded the Americans to be at fault here. This issue demanded caution which they seem to have abandoned. Wait! was American alone to be blamed? Seems they did inform Indian government about it and the government chose to forget it. Besides, our approach to the crisis was almost foolish in one way or other
While the drama unfolded, few more details have emerged with all thanks to the overzealous Indian media:
1. Devyani can be a great example of everything that is wrong with caste-based reservation system. Even though she is a daughter of a civil servant (who indeed seems influential and rich) she clutched this job on reservation, definitely on the cost of another deserving and needy dalit.
2. She is a trained fraud. As it appears, Indian MEA actually bent rules to favor her postings, possibly under her father's influence (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/MEA-bent-rules-to-favour-Devyani-Khobragade/articleshow/27744181.cms).
3. Her names also figures in Adarsh scandal (http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/adarsh-housing-scam-devyani-khobragade-among-illegal-beneficiaries-says-judicial-panel-report-460967) where she acquired a subsidized flat reserved for defense service personals fraudulently. It is also reported she showed her yearly income to be less than 4000 USD when she earns that amount monthly.
After witnessing all this drama and reading through the reports, I must admit I have no sympathy for Devyani, not even an iota of it. This issue which both governments have handled in a pathetic way will not serve Indo-US ties favorable and is already being used to stir anti-american sentiments in the country. Yes, she is a diplomat and she must be treated according to the International relations guidebook. Yes, India must protect her and bring her back. But this also remains a fact that she is a "fraud" and when she lands in India, she must be arrested and prosecuted for what she is. We know of at least 3 crimes for which she must face the law. But given our history, this is a distant possibility. I am quite sure that when she returns home, she will be received as the champion of I-dunno-what and will receive a great posting in a great department with enough opportunity to commit more fraud and make more money. For the pessimist that I am of justice in India, I often wish that America sticks to its guns and punish her even for the fraud committed in India. But that's just a common man's fantasy! Isn't it!
Anyways, amid this hullabaloo, we have so tragically forgotten about the woman who is the real victim of this saga - Sangeeta Richards, the exploited maid who ran away and who will be be hounded by the Indian government for life. If you think about it logically, Americans did a great service by removing her family from India, we all know what would have happened to them otherwise.
I may be damned for this post and labelled a traitor! But hey, I am an eccentric moron!
No comments:
Post a Comment