Are we to be a "liberal democracy" or do we remain an "illiberal democracy," a nation in which freedom does not exist?
That is the only question.
Thirty-two discotheques in Bangalore have been closed down because they were "illegal."
The police closed these discos because they are vested with such powers under the Karnataka Police Act, which does not allow music in any establishment where alcohol is served.
Drink in silence. And never dance.
That is The Law in Karnataka.
These police powers were challenged in both the Karnataka High Court as well as the Supreme Court, but the socialist and illiberal judiciary of The State decided in favour of the authorities.
In my book, the police should not have any licensing powers over any commercial activity. They issue gun licenses – and illegal guns proliferate. They should be asked to sort out the mess in firearms licensing, which is a police subject. But there should not be any role for the police in licensing bars, pubs and discos.
What do we call our politicized, corrupt and repressive police? Killjoys? Wet blankets? Or worse?
Note that Bangalore has been a favourite venue for international rock stars for more than a decade now. Roger Waters, Mick Jagger and Aerosmith have all performed at the Bangalore Palace Grounds.
But local lads and lasses cannot play in a city of music lovers.
This is insane.
And I hope the world is reading this. Bangalore is a city famous in the West because their software jobs are being "Bangalored." Yet, this city is one in which Freedom does not exist.
You earn your money in the face of international competition, you pay taxes, the streets are pot-holed, the city is in a horrible shape, traffic crawls – and the authorities do not do anything to make life better.
Their only response is repression.
More and more REPRESSION.
Our politicians often talk about the "poor and the downtrodden." In Bangalore the rich are downtrodden – under the jackboots of the police.
Note that on Sunday the 10th scores of people from all walks of life, including films, art, music – and all the disco jockeys – staged a protest against the police banning live music and dancing at pubs. The protest was led by Girish Karnad, the greatest living playwright of Karnataka.
I would suggest a VERY BIG PROTEST against this repression. I also hope the mainstream press takes up the matter in their editorials. And the international press reports on this too. The "illiberal democracy" of India would then have its vicious underbelly exposed to international public opinion. All over the world, good people would see that India may be democratic, but Indians are not at all free.
So, fight for freedom, Bangaloreans.
Remember: Liberty requires courage.
Take courage – and fight. And may The Force be with you.
Frankly I have a very dirty feeling about life in the future. China & India are about to become major forces in the world - they say - and both have terrible attitudes. One is dictatorial and the other feudal. It seems to me that the majority of people in power in India are so and since India is progressing they want not only to own land but also people. Everyone who is slightly off the core 'indianness & Indian values' is going to be alienated hereon. The only hope is that this will alienate the majority and than we can be one again?
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