Since the day I joined Anna Hazare's movement, sometime back in April 2012, I have been meeting several people fighting for their rights and equality, or to be more precise "legal rights". The battle for what is right and condemning the wrong is a never ending struggle which draws its roots from the Treta Yug of Lord Rama.
With my little knowledge, I always had an urge to understand the psychology behind these crusades. More so because several times I came across protests against such wrongs, which seemed to be right from a different perspective. I am convinced that many times it is not a battle between right and wrong but mostly, it is a battle of perspectives. Almost every time one fact has been ignored. The people against whom we protest or who seem to be standing on the wrong side are also humans. Then what makes them not understand the perspective of the protesters ? Is it not true that we fail to touch their human side or probably, we never tried for it.
One of my friend, who is a lecturer in a reputed college and an official spokesperson of a political party narrated this incident with an air of pride. Once while travelling in a packed general railway compartment, he witnessed one military man occupying an whole berth while many senior citizens were compelled to stand. When several requests failed to arouse that humanitarian side of this man, he tried it the Gandhi-an way. After several hours of non violent penance, the hard ice started to melt and he was able to procure some space for himself and others.
I was surprised not because of the stone heart but because of the approach of this young man towards this problem. More because he is not only a political revolutionist but also a teacher, preaching this incident as an example to the students. Proudly, he was teaching others, how to fight for their rights. Probably just like others, he too failed to understand Gandhi.
Here I would like to mention one similar incident I experienced. The whole compartment was packed with army men and they were not allowing anyone to occupy a single seat. When I too was made to stand, I just gave a friendly smile and said to them that they need not bother. I can very well stand a few hours for such brave hearts who stand for us day and night at the border. The minute I said this, one of them got up and made a seat for me. With a Thank You gesture, I offered the same seat to a senior citizen and lo, they were all on their feet and every body was accommodated. No need to tell the journey was a life time memory.
Yes, it is true that problems do exist and wrongs do happen. But the solution lies in our approach. The love which was the base of Gandhi's non-violent philosophy has long been forgotten. It is good to stand for one's rights, better to stand for duties but best if we stand for humanity.
