Recently I read a Facebook post from a good friend who is also an influential political leader in India, announcing their annual awards named after a famous Saint to honor those who have done good to humanity. On one hand it seemed a very noble activity, instead, should people with political clout not spend their energy, resources and connections to fight oppression and bring about justice in the society?
We are always quick and good at appreciating and recognising people who do good to the society. And rightly so. Especially those who rescue and rehabilitate victims of various circumstances, those who share love with the poor and homeless, the sick, and orphans. But it seems quite an oxymoron. While all the appreciation and cheer sounds respectable and good; when are we going to talk against the perpetrators of crimes against humanity? When are we going to take action against human traffickers who exploit children, women and men by forcing them into modern day slavery? When are we going to exercise our ballot against those who foster inequality and communal disharmony? When are we going to speak up for the rights of the voiceless and the weak? Needless to say that it is very important to encourage those who serve the society, but to be complacent towards the perpetrators and injustice is a shame. If one trafficker is put behind the bars we help in saving 100s of young children from being forced into a lifetime of sexual slavery. If a few laws are changed and implemented, we are able to save thousands of victims of domestic violence. If policies are changed, we are able to save millions of people from the curse of poverty. But ironically, we prefer to attend functions and applaud for those who feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Offenders continue to enjoy a cocktail of corruption and greed because concurrently we too are intoxicated with tolerance and complacency. Sadly today, many social workers need to accredit their ‘awards and success’ to the very perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Good people celebrate when justice triumphs! (Proverbs 21:15)
But as the famous Indian expression goes “What to do….. We are like that only!”
