Citizens suggest alternatives to register protest

Citizens suggest alternatives to register protest
Deccan Herald

No more bundhs, please. Why not try out Gandhigiri instead? Hours after the bundh was called off, and the crippled City limped back to normal, Bangaloreans wondered at the futility of it all.

No more bundhs, please. Why not try out Gandhigiri instead? Hours after the bundh was called off, and the crippled City limped back to normal, Bangaloreans wondered at the futility of it all. As Gandhigiri makes a comeback on the silver screen, it seems to have a trickle down effect in the thought processes of Bangaloreans too.

Go on a hunger strike. Wear a badge. Paste a sticker on your bike or car. Participate in a rally. Sign on a petition.

Light a candle. With so many peaceful, non-intrusive means of expression possible, why opt for a bundh? asked many.


‘Needs guts’

Rakesh Kumar, Associate Producer at Radio One, pointed out that mobilising a mob for a bundh is easy, but gathering solidarity through peaceful means needs guts - guts like Gandhiji had.

“These organisations that call for bundhs claim to have national leaders as their role models. Then why don’t they behave like them? Why don’t they go through suffering themselves rather than putting the entire State’s economy and means of livelihood on hold? Protests should be inspiring, not led by fear,” Kumar felt.

‘Hold debates, fast’

Infosys Technologies HR head T V Mohandas Pai agreed. “40 per cent have lost their daily wages due to the bundh, 20 per cent have to suffer loss of salary. At the end, people do not feel a sense of solidarity, instead they feel bitter and used.

Protests should not impose, and should not hit the vulnerable classes. The border issue is something close to Kannadigas’ hearts. Why not wear a badge proclaiming our solidarity? Why not hold debates and discussions all over Karnataka to gather public support? Why not the leaders fast before Gandhi’s statue for 15 days, and encourage the public to partner them in their efforts? Why not send a delegation to the President calling for an end of this row? Why a bundh at the cost of citizen welfare?” asked Pai.

‘Organise rallies’

Kiran Datar, MD of WebEx Communications said the best way to increase the support base for any cause is by promoting peaceful solidarity, and making people take to the streets rather than make them stay home. “How would the protesting parties know the extent of support they have for their cause if all are shut inside their houses? Instead, organise rallies, candle light vigils and signature campaigns,” Datar suggested.

Arun Bapu, Senior Content Manager at Ser-aja.com, the Event Web, said India should learn to protest the Japanese way. “Japanese work longer and show more productivity when they are protesting. May be we should take a cue from that,” Bapu said.

‘Use power of press’

Madhumita Saha, Director of Learning Unbound said protesters should utilise the power of the Press to send their message across. “The campaigners should bring out supplements in newspapers, or programmes in news channels, that will highlight public opinion on the issue. This form of mass communication will be more effective than a bundh”.