But for the timely arrival of COVID-19, we the people of India would still be fighting over the pluses and minuses of the CAA, with the Government of India digging in its heels and defending the Amendment on the one side, while the opposition parties and a significant section of the population rising up against the injustice it embodies. I am aware that many of you would object to the adjective ‘timely’ that I’ve used upfront. It may sound insensitive to the plight of the whole nation as it takes desperate measures to contain the spread of the contagion and limit its devastating effects but please do me the favour of counting the dead. So far 18 deaths have been reported due to the virus whereas the toll in the case of anti-CAA protests was well over 50 and threatening to worsen before they faded in the face of the new global scourge.
So with the CAA in the back-burner we have indeed moved to relatively peaceful times. No Shaheen Bagh, no Washermenpet, no high handedness by champions of the majority religion, no mischief by the cornered minorities. The fabric of the nation that was all but rent in two by the divisive Amendment is strangely coming together thanks to COVID-19. Umpteen cosmopolitan institutions and social media which had been regaling their members with convivial, informative, entertaining, pleasurable,collective activities were suddenly polarized and fractured by the government move to divide its people. In one sense it is nice to know that all of these are now occupied with one overwhelming topic, COIVID-19, to the exclusion of everything else.
Sure, the economy is going to the dogs and a lot of people are rendered jobless and without resources. Yes, the situation cannot continue indefinitely taking the nation down the path of regression. But it is strangely warming to see political and other leaders show much care and concern for the lives and livelihood of all the people irrespective of religion, region, race, caste or creed. The virus that does not respect international borders is ironically binding us all together – if not by cords of love – at least by fibres of fellow-feeling, as we stand united in limiting its venomous effects.
If this is healing, I welcome it.
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