Common Man Initiates a Leaderless Movement

Recent terror attacks in Mumbai and the live coverage on television has evoked a sense of hitherto unseen degree of anger and protest against the perpetrators of terrorism (read Pakistan), and surprisingly, the Indian politicians. The anger against the terrorists is obvious, but the display of public outrage against the politicians is quite unheard of. Also, there is an overwhelming sentiment rising from all sections of society against the very media people who telecasted this crisis live for more than 50 hours at a stretch. What could have gone wrong when these people worked literally day and night, one may ask.

Melodrama, display of emotion, attention-seeking tactics, everything was there. Except, one important thing, sensitivity, and a sense of responsibility. It is also observed that live telecasts by some channels have proved to be timely inputs for the terrorists, planning their moves and thus adding to loss of life. The brickbats media is receiving lately, doesn’t seem unreasonable at all then.

Along the firing line are the politicians from all the parties. Recent media coverage has made it amply clear the lenient approach of politicians towards national security. Time and again it has appeared as a criminal lack of will and incompetence on part of politicians when it comes to internal security and a steely resolve to root out terrorism.

Unfortunately, these attacks have brought into focus a serious fact wherein these legally and ethically responsible bodies are found to not only be ineffective, but careless, unreliable and irresponsible too. Where would people turn to if there were no leaders to follow?

It is therefore unique, especially in India that people are coming together to form a ‘leaderless movement’. It is unique because in India people need leaders for everything even when they can initiate many things on their own. Yes, a leaderless movement was planned near the very place where the terror attacks rocked the world, at the Gateway of India, opposite Hotel Taj.

It is a unique movement that is not initiated by any political party or leader but by ordinary citizens concerned about the country. This unique, unprecedented movement appears to have a potential to challenge the very credibility of the political leaders who rule the nation. Not long ago India too has experienced how a united public opinion can topple an all-powerful government, when the emergency was imposed at its oppressive best.

These leaders babble a lot about the need for people to come together; raise their voice and sometimes even topple an elected governing body, when it suits their schemes and designs. But it seems they are sure, people will not come together and start any movement that will bring a change in the existing system. In fact, they ensure the society stays fragmented. For this, they follow a policy, divide and rule. They create a fear factor among certain sections of society, or simply set one community against the other and play their games of vote division. In spite of this grim reality, coming together of people to enforce corrective measures on their own could therefore prove quite a threat to the politicians and rulers.

The ‘leaderless movement’ is therefore important for the entire nation that is desperately in need of change. And how it is getting covered by the media that has so feverishly worked in the present terror attacks coverage? Imagine thousands of people coming together on their own, ignoring the potential threat to their own lives as still no one can guarantee that no mishap will take place where such a large body of people gathers. Imagine, without being influenced by any political party or ideology they are united in their condemnation of terrorism and are sincere about taking steps towards national security. Now are all such positive changes covered by the media? The answer is a shocking ‘No!’

More alarming is the fact that till now the people were relying on the media for news and the analysis of news. Now it appears the media itself plans to play a role of a conspirator in suppressing news when it comes to exposing the politicians to suppress the leaderless movement by the concerned citizens. Let the movement find a voice and seek the change it is working, towards a better and safe tomorrow for the law-abiding citizens. Let not these perpetrators succeed in suppressing this much-needed quiet revolution that India is desperately asking for.