Rulers in a democracy you always do remember glass not handled with care breaks into unreassemblable pieces. So is democracy. Hence, let citizens express and voice their opinions, feelings and concerns about any government policies be it CAA, NRC or any other freely. Don't belittle citizens' protests by saying citizens or opposition parties shouldn't play politics. Don't muzzle opposition by saying that it is wrong to play politics. You can't escape politics in a given democracy. It is very life-breath of citizens. So, let citizens do politics. If you preach others to not play politics, you are in effect killing polity in broad day light. Of course, play good clean politics, not the dirty variants. It applies in equal measure to all stakeholders in a democracy, be it government or those opposing government's policies. Attempts to quell opposition voices through deployment of brutal state machinery such as police is unbecoming of any healthy polity, especially more so in a democracy. Beating innocent peaceful protesters, especially young women is wrong. You can never overpower Will of citizens as expressed through spontaneous public protests that are devoid of any guidance from any opposition political party or leaders. If you do so, you do so at your own risk as was proved amply by drubbing of Indira Gandhi in aftermath of 1975's Emergency imposition. Therefore, either you convince public of correctness of your policies through fully peaceful persuasive means or else go along with public opinion. After all, public opinion is Supreme in any vibrant democracy and is very foundation of the republic. Of course, peaceful protest is my fundamental birthright and I will exercise it without fear in my democracy. No one has a right to stop me from exercising it. But, yes I won't protest if devil turns it into a violent game...!
- Dr Swaamee Aprtemaanandaa Jee
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