THE recently concluded Cockroach agitation has left in its wake countless serious issues about the conduct of young people during the agitation and the society’s general response to the developments. The most surprising development was the Government’s decision to withdraw all First Information Reports (FIRs) against the protesters. Similarly surprising was the reaction of the honourable Supreme Court that no agitation could justify police excesses. These two responses -- one from the Government and the other from the Supreme Court -- do not seem to take into consideration the fact that as many as 118 policemen -- rank and file -- were hurt when the Cockroach protesters attacked the cops on duty. There is a third angle, as well, to the developments -- that of the terribly abusive and offensive language the Cockroach protesters used while deprecating personages as respectable as the Prime Minister as the Head of the Government as well as a human person.

 

The Cockroach protesters also did not spare lord Ram in their abusive outbursts. Their language was absolutely filthy, indecent, undignified, indecorous and unacceptable to any civilised society. Despite this, the Cockroach protesters are seeking pardon from all these acts of commission -- and unfortunately large sections of the society are willing to grant them the pardon. What justifies this soft approach ? We will refrain from commenting any more about the right or wrong of the decision of Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan to step down -- since it has come as part of the political strategy or tactic of the Government. But we have every right reason to wonder why the Government should agree to withdraw the FIRs against the protesters who indulged in attacks on the cops on duty, tore down the barricades the cops had erected as security protocol, gave rank anti-India slogans ... !

 

Can the Government’s decision to withdraw the FIRs be interpreted as a licence to marauders of law to do anything and get away with the sin ? Can it also be interpreted as the Government’s indifference to the cops who suffered injuries in line of duty ? In other words, is the job in Police meant to be so insecure that even the Government does not intend to grant the cops appropriate protection ? Abusive language cannot be a breach of law, some opinions say -- quoting some provisions. Yet, does this section of the society not know that indecency of expression in public places is a cognizable offence ? Is the position of the Prime Minister so defenceless that anybody can say any filthy words about the position and the person ?

 

These issues need top be sorted by the larger society of which the Government is a part. It is agreed that the young people’s sentiments were seriously hurt when the NEET examination was cancelled due to paper leak. But does that leak grant the young people licence to indulge in terribly loose behaviour -- which also included a big bash in a five-star facility to celebrate the resignation of Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan ? Was that behaviour responsible and sensible ? Did it uphold basic principles of democracy in which all individuals are needed to be respected equally ? In due course, the honourable Supreme Court will make up its mind on various nuances of the Cockroach conduct. But suffice it will be if the honourable judges also take into consideration the other side of the story (of the terrible misconduct of the Cockroach protesters). That conduct should never be pardoned.

 

That abusiveness, those attacks on the Policemen on duty should never be allowed to escape the clutches of the law. The Government might have agreed to certain political approach to the Cockroach agitation -- about which we may not have much to say at least at this precise stage. But the society cannot ignore the overall uncouthness of conduct of the Cockroach protesters. That conduct cannot be allowed to go accosted and unpunished. The entire power pyramid including the Government and the Supreme Court must not lose sight of this stark reality.