On June 20, members of the Mait Shaphrang Movement (MSM) who have been silently advocating the Right to Information Bill for Meghalaya, were compelled to take their issue to the streets. The reason? For three years the MSM, led by well-known social activist Michael N. Syiem and legendary singer Lou Majaw, has been trying to convince individual MLAs of the urgency to introduce the bill in the Assembly. But obviously the legislators, whether of the ruling party or the Opposition, are not yet ready to take this single-most crucial step towards transparent governance. In their frustration, the MSM comprising 10 members decided to take to the streets and make public their demands. That day was also the first day of the budget session of the Meghalaya Assembly.

The state machinery in Meghalaya has over the years learnt to use sections of the law to curb all democratic movements, including silent processions and protest marches.

Only innocuous marches that would not expose the government’s inadequacies are allowed. They include protest marches by women who condemn crimes of violence by unknown perpetrators. Since the objectives of such marches are vague and amorphous and their targets illusive, governments have no problems in granting permission.

But if a march is likely to show up the government in a bad light then Section 144 CrPC is promptly clamped. No other law is implemented with such alacrity because it is the easiest since it concerns respectable members of society who would not create a law and order problem and are, therefore, easily subdued.

Strong-arm tactics

What is slowly happening in this tribal state, which ostensibly broke away from Assam to give the tribals their place in the sun, is a slow progression towards official terrorism organised and managed by strong-arm tactics of the government.

Citizens are, therefore, caught between the terror unleashed by rebels on the one hand and the bandobast of the state machinery on the other. Where then is the basic freedom of the individual in a free and democratic country? Will the National Human Rights Commission take suo moto action in such cases where the voice of dissent is gagged by none other than the organs that should nurture and protect democracy?

Mute voices

The voice of civil society is in any case very muted in Meghalaya. Citizens are silent in the face of several onslaughts on their liberty. They are silent even when their only auditorium at the State Central Library is being used as a makeshift Assembly building and they have to hold their public functions in the open air even in adverse weather conditions.

Governor M.M. Jacob was appalled that several public functions are today being held in hurriedly contrived venues where the crowd has to bear the strong heat of the sun when it shines and lightning, thunder and rain during the monsoon.

In all this, the government is a silent spectator with no deadline to complete the new Assembly building or the art and culture hall/auditorium that has been under construction for the last 20 years.

To talk of civil society is to be terribly confused. What constitutes civil society? It is perhaps the most ill-defined entity. However, in layman’s terms it would comprise all socially-conscious and concerned citizens whether they are part of a group or come in as individuals. This group is a quick learner and comprises stakeholders of varying interests.

Civil society

In a city like Shillong, civil society includes government employees, all of whom are reluctant to be identified with a group that is taking an anti-government stance.

Ironically, some of the Rangbah Shnong (headmen of local dorbars) are themselves government officials. Their loyalties will always be divided between what they aspire as common good and their careers which they would not want to see jeopardised at any cost. They would prefer not to be seen identifying with groups involved in anti-corruption campaign as a grouchy government could construe their act as being anti-establishment.

Foggy vision

Such contradictory roles have weakened Khasi civil society and resulted in conflicting voices emerging from time to time. No wonder our youth are puzzled. They see their parents and elders fuming and fretting at home and making all kinds of anti-government statements — in fact, this is a favourite pastime in Meghalaya. Every conceivable place ranging from weddings to funerals are platforms for airing grievances against government — but when it comes to the crunch, few dare to really show they mean business. We are exposed to the rest of the world as a people who talk big but have no guts to follow up our talks with action.

In fact, our problem today is that there are too many silent supporters for every good cause.

Everyone says, “Go ahead, we are behind you.” But when you look back you see no one except your own shadow. That is the tragedy that befalls any pressure group which desires to bring its issue before the public.

Now if people came out to the streets by the thousands, I doubt that any magistrate would be able to flex any muscle. This would give a boost to any public movement. But we have a case of a divided polity and government never spares an opportunity to divide and rule.

Transparency?

At the closing function of the golden jubilee celebration of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on June 27, chief minister D.D. Lapang without batting an eyelid spoke of transparency and accountability in the most convincing manner. Yet a week ago he ordered the arrest of those who wanted this transparency to move beyond the rhetoric and the police really roughed them up.

This sort of doublespeak is disgusting, to say the least. It is what irks the younger generation and the reason why politicians suffer from a deep integrity gap. People should not be blamed for having no faith in the political establishment.

Thinking people in Meghalaya — and they are unfortunately too few in number — see the need for raising consciousness on the rights of citizens. Peaceful assembly and slogan-shouting are not crimes.

There is a perception today that citizens have forfeited their right to freedom of expression. This perception must translate into action. Public debates on crucial issues such as the loss of civil liberties need to be taken up in right earnest.

If the public chooses to ignore government high-handedness, it will also have to face the ignominy of losing other fundamental rights. The right to protest and dissent is a hard-earned liberty. It needs to be preserved at all costs. The time to start is now.