Binayak Sen and patriotism

India is incredible for sure, a man who has devoted his life for the deprived got life term when criminals,corrupt politicians and rapists are roaming scot-free. The charge against Dr. Binayak Sen is sedition; waging war against state but in any way he was sentenced without ample evidence. He is a humanitarian to the core and has been working for the welfare of the poor leaving his lucrative career.
I end up asking myself what is treason If not looting the country by conniving with mafias and goons. What is the crime of Binayak Sen to deserve a life term in a country where politicians/beauraucrats/corporates etc have been exploiting India and her people for years? Much of our political class is so characterless and blind with greed so that they would even sell off the country if offered a handsome amount. So these people sit at the helm of affairs to judge our patriotism, it is pathetic to see even our judiciary is part of the problem.
Is that a crime if you know a Maoist or read their literature? Is that a crime if you sympathise with the plight of the tribals?
I don’t really connect to the violence of Maoist, and I feel both the state and Maoists exploit the helpless tribal people. We are really in a Kafkaesque situation under an oppressive state. I wonder when it would start to dictate even our though process.

Might is right for China

China did it again in a perfect Chinese style by threatening countries of severe consequences if they attend Nobel peace prize ceremony for Liu Xiaobo(Chinese democratic activist). For me it sounds weired, when China asks other countries not to interfere in its internal affairs. Besides it shows the immaturity of Chinese administration- the kind of language it chose to express its anger is nothing but its incapability to cope up with criticism. So ultimately she allows herself to be laughed at among the world community.Though a fast growing economy(thanks to the cheap labour and a dictator regime), she doesn’t respect the right of others to choose, instead try to dictate their foreign policy. I feel it is a dangerous trend from a country as powerful as China.

China’s ambition to become the world leader and increasing influence on Asian and African countries made many succumb to her dictum. Interestingly democratic countries like South Korea , Japan and not so democratic Thailand decided to attend the ceremony. Most of the Asian countries are partially or completely under dictatorship. They themselves have problems inside with dissidents or freedom fighters. So they can connect to Chinese sensitivities much easier. This is applicable to countries in the Middle East and Africa also. And of course, Russia also is a semi-autocratic country that do not entertain any criticism of its Govt from citizens.(I remember one Russian told me that they will be in jail if speak against Putin).
The countries benefiting from US aid or those considered her close allies too chose to go the Chinese way. (eg. Pakistan,Afganistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Morocco etc). Obviously these are ‘marriages’ of convenience for both side, otherwise how can a country seek the help of countries who sponsor terrorism to fight that menace.

On her part China barely consider the sensitivities of other nations, a geo-politically weak India often get bullied by her. It is well known that how she conspire with dictators in Africa to loot their wealth and leave the impoverished in penury. I am happy this time India didn’t succumb to Chinese pressures and decided to send her envoy in Norway for the ceremony. Before aspiring to be a world power China must understand ‘might is not right’, and obedience out of fear is not real, instead respect must be earned.


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