It was quite a surgical strike. Yes-Sirgical. An official ofKashmir’s education department (DESK) took action against some teachers foundabsent from duties on the second day of Eid, 6th June. Reportedly the Directorof Education, Kashmir, had already begun the raids a day before Eid, on Arfa.Going by the book, as they say, the action is legally valid; a morbid mindsetmight say that it was needed. But is this a right decision, and what does itreflect.
As a starter, it’s a suspension of sense. Ahead, it reflectsour core ignorance about who we are, and an abject surrender of the human inus. Our overwrought officials, with a delusive sense of being in positions ofpower seldom take trouble to look a little beneath the surface. If we did, itwas easy to grasp that our positions in power, are without a point. We areworthless servants of a system that gives us a false consciousness of beingpowerful. If you wanted to test it, just apply the rules to the ones above you.You will get to know your worth.
Someone viewing us from outside can easily recognise that webehave like sidekicks of a bully, frightening people into submission. This isnot a comment on any person, it is a general assessment of our bureaucracy. This bureaucracy looks at rules as pelletguns to control people. Any wise application of law is finally meant tostreamline the human affairs, not to wildly chase people into submission. I’mnot pleading for anarchy, that is the worst thing under the sun. I even don’tfavour taking refuge in ‘religious sensibilities’, that is a corruption we needto weed out consciously. The point is how to apply law, in the spirit of law.And two, how to relate law to our society. Right now, we are doing none. Infact, we do everything to do the contrary. We are psychologically ailing,mentally sick. We need to treat this pathological condition. And it is nocrackpot conclusion that the sickness of our mind, and the crisis in ourpolitics feed each other.
It’s a long debate, but here we focus on this incident.
In any Muslim society, Eid doesn’t end on the first day.It’s an unsaid, but understood, convention of a Muslim society. We celebratethis consensus in each one way. Our markets are closed, except the onesparticularly open for the day. Our schools are off, as children have a fun day.Our families are busy turning host one moment, guest the other. It is one hugeact of calling each other, messaging each other, wishing each other, visitingeach other, meeting each other, and finally living each other. If there is anymoment one can call really human, it’s this. Marx dreamt of a statelesssociety, something of a bliss. He forgot to think of a holiday like Eid, orChristmas, or Deewali, where societies turn into one large family, turning the state off for a day or two. Marxshould have seen this liberating side of religion too!
But here in Kashmir this beast called bureaucracy derivespleasure in prowling on a day when people enjoy being people, and notemployees. In Kashmir, this state is really cruel by its very being. And ourofficers relish to make us taste this cruelty.
How nasty this application of law, and the conduct ofbureaucracy. It reminds of many great works that reflect human revolt againstthis wanton and unwise applications of rules. Read Catch 22. Listen to the Sermon of Mount. Butbefore the two, here is that famous sentence from Oliver Twist that catches itraw and uncensored.
A character in the novel, Mr. Bumble, pleads innocence, forhe believed that the actual culprit was his wife. He is shocked to hear that,”in the eye of the law”, he is “moreguilty than his wife, “for the law supposes that your wife acts under yourdirection.” What Mr. Bumble says is a telling indictment of how lawpractitioners, and law imposers, murder common sense. Here is Mr. Bumble’spungent retort:
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing hishat emphatically in both hands, “the law is a(n) ass—a(n) idiot. If that’s theeye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his,eyes may be opened by experience—by experience.”
Can our officers take a leave for a day, let them choose thesecond day of Eid for this, and read these lines – repeatedly. It’s the worldof experience that finally distills in the shape of this clause – Law is anass. It’s great wisdom.
Experience demanded that all our officers, for years now,advocated for a longer holiday on Eid. It is as simple as that, and it is amathematical demand for us. Muslims have just two occasions year round whenthey are all into celebratory mood, and observe a symbolism that is sacred tothem. The contrast highlighted by Shah Faesal, placing the DESJ (EducationDirectorate, Jammu) order of having a 5 day break for Pooja, besides thesuspension order of the CEO on the second day of Eid, captures it brazenly. Howsensible, and connected to the society, the officials in Jammu are. And howours is a case of mind turned up side town.
Tailpiece: A serious understanding of how law becomes cruel,and meaningless, needs a thorough reading of the Sermon of the Mount. But forthat you need a sabbatical. And for the sabbatical you have to apply before thesame officials. Jesus Christ!