Good aspects of our great independence fight, we have forgotten in toto; but the bad aspects like dharnas, strikes, gheraoes, vandalism & damage to public properties -- we very well remember to use to best our selfish advantages. That time we did so to drive out the Britishers, even though the ‘Father of the Nation’, Mahatma Gandhi was dead against the undemocratic & violent methods of showing agitation, but now unfortunately we do all those negatives only to destroy our own national public properties.
Fortunately the recent committee appointment by Supreme Court to examine the modalities for making the law to prevent vandalism & damage to public properties during strikes and political rallies have advocated for stringent action against the organizers of such unlawful events. The committee represented by two former renowned advocates, submitted its detailed report recently to Supreme Court by recommending number of steps to contain strikes related damages.
The committee recommended two distinct proposals --- one for strengthening the provisions of the prevention of damage to public properties act 1984, and to make the leaders accountable for acts of vandalism during any agitation, dharnas, gheraoes & strikes. Infact the panels of committees were formed in the wake of the destruction of public properties during the agitation by the ‘Gujjars’ demanding ST status in 2007 in Delhi, Haryana, UP & Rajastan in which several lives also been lost.
Enough is enough, now the time has come that the leaders of the agitation must be made absolutely liable for the destruction of properties by their supporters, as they sit pretty in their sprawling Bungalows after provoking the supporters. And importantly, the media must have some self-regulation on covering such events in the line of British media, so that provocation in other parts is controlled. Supreme Court bench also seriously deliberating the recommendations of the committees upon the damage to public properties, hence let us hope strict penalty system & accountability of the leaders of the strikes will make public life & property secure.