Mid-Day Opinion: Protests should be calm, respectful

Students and activists clash with the police during a protest over alleged NEET irregularities in New Delhi last month. PIC/AFP

The past couple of weeks have saddened me for all kinds of reasons. Primary among them has been the shock at realising that so many young Indians may have nothing positive to say about the government of India. I keep asking myself how this is possible after a decade of marketing campaigns that have gone from India Shining and Bharat Ke Man Ki Baat to Chai Pe Charcha, Achche Din Aayenge, Main Bhi Chowkidar, Make in India, or Smart India. What could young Indians possibly be so unhappy about?

As someone who has had nothing but good things to say about India's ministers and politicians for many years now, the recent voices of dissent that emerged from protesters in Delhi and Bombay seemed distinctly at odds with how life in India only appears to get better with each passing year. It made me question whether I have really been aware of what's happening in some parts of the country. I couldn't recall any newspaper or news channel hinting at these levels of dissatisfaction either, which only made it harder for me to identify with what these young people were saying.

Another thing that shocked me were the visuals emerging from these protest sites. I looked at photographs and videos of students on social media, and the anger they were expressing towards the government and assorted ministers was hard to take stock of. They even had some terrible things to say about the most important Indian alive today: the most honourable Prime Minister. That alone made it impossible for me to function for a few days. I couldn't imagine how someone so erudite, intelligent, considerate, kind, caring, thoughtful, scholarly, cultured, wise, hard-working, perceptive, and empathetic could be referred to in such crude terms by these angry representatives of Generation Z. I could have included more words of praise here, but that would make me seem like a sycophant and everyone knows the most honourable Prime Minister detests sycophancy.

Looking at those protest signs also made me question whether the government has paid enough attention to how Indians complain. I know a lot of work has already been put into making sure most journalists and celebrities know what they can or can't say in public, but it's obvious that this message hasn't trickled down to ordinary folk who don't read newspapers or watch news channels. It's as if they are unaware that speaking one's mind has not been fashionable for quite a while.

Now that this has become an obvious problem, I am optimistic that it will soon be addressed by the government with its usual urgency and efficiency. After all, freedom of speech may be important in some countries, but many of us have finally been made aware of how overrated it really is. My hope is that the government will soon issue guidelines for young people who are still unhappy about something. Protests are a good way to let off steam, but they should not inconvenience other citizens. I also think it's high time for a law prohibiting comparisons between politicians and animals, because these are in bad taste and serve no purpose.

It may also be necessary to set up protest-approved zones in some parts of the city, so any Indians still dissatisfied with minor issues like crime, inequality, or a broken education system can exercise their right in a contained environment. These zones could be in libraries, for instance, or similar places where we can be certain there will be no ministers visiting. Demarcated protest zones will also allow the rest of the city to go about its business because there will be no disruption to traffic. It may also make sense for the government to put together a panel of experts who can vet what slogans and posters are to be aired at each protest, the way films are currently censored to prevent anyone's sensibilities from being offended. An official list of dos and don'ts shared on the government's social media handles ought to make sure the message gets to the people who aren't watching the news on television.

I think it's important for Gen Z and Gen Alpha to understand that Baby Boomers have the right idea about governance, which is why they are a happier lot. The only good citizen is one who follows orders and is never seen or heard unless it is to offer praise and bow down to the demigods in starched white kurta-pajamas and Nehru jackets who rule over us all.

When he isn't ranting about all things Mumbai, Lindsay Pereira can be almost sweet. He can be contacted at www.lindsaypereira.com
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