Message of the human chain

What is to be noted here is that the opposition has put forward its demands and grievances through the human chain more effectively than it would have by adopting a more belligerent tactic. The trend must be maintained in future. The government response to the programme has also been rather discreet. There was no attempt by the police to thwart the move, and the result was a peaceful political demonstration. No chaos or pandemonium followed, and people were greatly relieved. This is a very positive development meriting replication in future.

The government could have exercised either of the two options in its approach to a political demonstration of such magnitude. First, it could ignore the massive programme which, we believe, would not bring any good either to politics or the ruling party.

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The opposition represents a huge segment of public opinion and ignoring them amounts to losing a valuable opportunity of addressing problems articulated by a large constituency. That is not in keeping with the needs of a democracy struggling to consolidate itself. The other option is to respond to the public sentiments voiced so as to bring a turn-around in the situation.

Of course the demand that the government resign is not consistent with democratic norms, and, as such, it better be set aside. But the great validity and justifiability of concerns pertaining to law and order, corruption, spiralling prices and misgovernance need to be taken into cognizance, if only because these are burning issues that need to be urgently tackled for the greater public good.

The message of the human chain is loud and clear. It has expressed concern over governance and lack of security of life and property. The government should not ignore all this, like an ostrich burying its head in the sands.