Why are the laws/rules in our democracy always in favour of the khass aadmi? Why do we have to time and again say justice depends on who you are and who you know? What exactly is the difference between the squatting by Ajit Singh in his Delhi bungalow and those hutments at Baina? Is it not the status of the squatters? The apex court had ordered demolition of a portion of Cidade de Goa, our 40 wise men decided to promulgate an ordinance to amend a 114-year-old law in order to save a portion of the five-star resort. Was this not for the khass aadmi? All those slum dwellers had fathers who they look up to. Would the authorities even listen to them if they had said that they wanted those huts as memorials to their fathers? Leaders pledged to the Constitution wink at hoodlum-style action to give the false impression they are mass leaders. VIPism is a relic of 19th century colonialism. The only VIPs in India are its citizens. Either we believe in constitutional democracy and the rule of law — or we don’t. Are we still in two minds, after six decades of freedom?
D C Dias, Taleigao
