The Republic of India or Bharat Ganarajya, the world’s second-most populous country, seventh largest by land, the most populous democracy, also home to 447 recognized languages, 28 states, 8 Union Territories, & stories worth over 1800 years. Hence considered to be an expression of diversity. Ranging from varieties in occupation during the Indus Valley civilization to the stringent castes of the Vedic period, and from the ideal ruling of Chandragupta to the Swaraj of Chattrapati.
There were times, in the court of Jalal-ud-din Muhammad ‘Akbar’, that have highlighted Birbal’s wit. Times where Abdur Razzaq sang the praises of Indian rulers after he visited the court of Devaraya II. Thus reaching a threshold point in the Indian timeline where one strives to be different. Causally, states broke up based on Langauge and not for administrative ease, not to curb the radical forces, but to provide a certain region with its religion dominant government. Dappled with protests in the financial capital of the country, not for economic reforms, but reservation of a certain section of society. The youth flooding the streets, not for demanding equal opportunity but to fight for the holy Animal. The Diversity in Religion is perceptible, but unfortunately, that is not the only basis on which the diversity of our country is falling short.
Furthermore, our 7-sisters, despite them being 8 in number after the addition of Sikkim, raises the question of whether alliteration is more important than geography, covers almost 2,62,230 sq. kilometer of land which accounts for 8% of the total land, India possesses. The region accounts for the highest rainfall & lowest development in our country. For instance, Arunachal Pradesh got its first railway line in 2014, 67 Years after Independence. Post which, the development accelerated. As of today, 46 million people, living in the region are facilitated by 1786 km of railway lines with 12 stations. The question raised here is, do we need another landfill on the Western Coast of India to promote a new tourist destination? Do we need 46 million residents of our country, albeit speaking a different language, better access to a facility, which in other parts of the country is close to being outdated? The ignorance in North Eastern India, not only extends to facilities and infrastructure but law & justice as well. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, better known as AFSPA has been in effect in the state of Nagaland for 6 months from 30th December 2020, 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 months from 1st October 2020, the state of Manipur for 1 year from 17th December 2020 & the state of Assam for 6 months from 22nd February 2021. AFSPA allows any officer in the Armed forced (commissioned or non-commissioned) after warning, fire upon, or use force on any person, ‘even to the causing of death’; to search any vehicle/premises without a warrant; to arrest without a warrant and any substantial evidence, based on ‘Reasonable Suspicion.’ The act is considered by many to be undemocratic and outdated in 2021, as it was formulated when India was yet under the British reign. Today’s time categorizes speaking against AFSPA as‘ Anti-National’ or ‘Anti-India’. The irony is highlighted for the Act was used by the British to arrest our Freedom Fighters, the Act in itself was Anti-India. More on AFSPA’s consequences can be understood by reading about Manipur’s Iron Lady, Irom Sharmila.
Conclusively, before one contemplates their community or ethnic group, one could try thinking of our country before. Before we fathom how a law could affect the Marathas in Maharastra or Gujaratis in Tamil Nadu, one could try figuring out how it will affect the Youth in Mumbai or the Businessmen in Chennai. A simple way to bring about an effect is voting, but we all know how that fares out. So it all boils down to the Youth of the Nation.