I
don't have any first hand information of the #Dadri incident nor do I think
most of the people commenting on it over Social Media or MSM know any better.
Many are relying on TV and newspaper reports or sound-bytes of politicians
descending on the scene (almost like coffin chasers) for their 2 minutes of
face-time on camera. The police have - understandably - gone silent after
muddying the scene with their premature ejaculation. Going by the volume of
Twitter outrage and call for "Je Suis BeefEater" - the demand for
Beef should have shot up across the country. Till the time of writing - there
are no reports of black-marketing of Beef and Onion prices are still
trending.
Mob
lynching and murder for any reason - not just religious intolerance - is definitely
condemnable. But, does it call for a statement from the Prime Minister until
the facts are fully established ? Not that mob violence is common-place in our
country - but it is not unknown either. I don't recall people demanding the PM
to speak on every such incident. Indeed, if the murder was for as ridiculous a
reason as eating beef - then the PM's silence can't be justified. Comparisons
are being made with Obama's call after the US school killings. But, here the
facts are yet to be established. Just because a Kavitha Krishnan or Sagarika
Ghose say so - doesn't make it an open and shut case.
What
was required here - is regular briefing of the investigation by the District
Administration or State Government. But, the story has already been hijacked by
the media and politicians fishing in troubled waters. Therefore, its prudent of
them not to invite further controversy and get caught in the cross-fire - as,
in any case, it is the local administration that has to usually bear the cross
and become scapegoats. What was avoidable though is the sporadic leakage of
information - on various theories about the incident and alleged involvement
different groups or individuals with certain (religious or political)
antecedents - providing unhealthy Vanaspati
that others used to fry the Beef.
But, then - in our country - the police or administration are not
trained to handle crisis communication - whether after a terror attack or
communal violence.
Is
it not conceivable that truth - as often - may lie somewhere in between ? Even
those among our glamorous set - socialite activists, public intellectual,
guardians of secularism and star journalists,
who have never stayed in a village - should only recall the Azam Khan's
missing Buffalo story to realise what an emotive issue milch animals can be in
the traditional "cow-belt". I recall my personal Jeeves from Bihar -
offering "Mannat" at Kalighat temple when the Cow at his home (back
in Sitamarhi) took ill.
So
one can't rule out the alternate theory of Cattle-theft with the villagers
suspecting beef eating families of stealing them for slaughter. Not for a
moment am I suggesting even if that can be condoned. But, it is quite another
thing to give it a religious twist and say it tantamount to people interfering
with the food habits of people.
It
would be unrealistic to expect restraint from our TRP warriors of the
electronic media or the valiant upholders of national conscience on Social
Media. But, aren't there any old fashioned hard-nosed journalists left in the
country - who still believe in first hand ground investigation -'even though
that might turn "Dadri Live" to "Dateline Dadri".
As
for me - I love both Beef and Beefeater (Gin).
An edited version of this article appeared in Swarajya Magazine (@swarajyamag.com). To read article and comments pls click here
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