I watched with amusement as many Indian “Digital Entrepreneurs” took snaps and selfies with PM Narendra Modi at a Nasscom sponsored event in New Delhi last Sunday.
I skipped going.
Next I recoiled in HORROR to read that the next day, the Govt. of Maharashtra had BANNED the sale, consumption of Beef in the state and imposed several fines, including jail time, etc for consuming Beef!!
Funny isn’t it? On Sunday the govt. toasts the spirit of enterprise and on Monday destroys the livelihood of thousands of Entrepreneurs!
Growing up and living up in India for the past 46 years had taught me something very SCARY:
You can get arrested and jailed for ALMOST anything. And here when I mean anything, I mean the bizarre (not the usual items of murder, theft, etc).
Examples?
– If you are the CEO of a 200 man software Company and just one management trainee in your Company downloads a single piece of software that is not licensed, a complaint of that Software Company to the Police can land you, the CEO in Jail. (I’m not kidding)
– A woman can sleep with a man for years and years (I read a case of 30+ years) but when she gets offended or upset, she can simply go and file a case of Rape and get the man behind bars for a long time.
– I am sure we can crowdsource 100+ examples.
BUT NEVER EVER HAD I HEARD OF GOING TO JAIL FOR EATING SOMETHING!
Is this the INDIA that is going to conquer the world? Is this the India that will beat China and everything they do and become a Superpower? Is this the India whose Internet economy will make others look like midgets?
Are we going to attract VCs and Entrepreneurs and Global leaders and then tell them what they can and can’t EAT??????
Before people start wondering about my intentions, let me clarify something:
I am a DEVOUT, DEEPLY RELIGIOUS and DEEPLY SPIRITUAL person. I have never eaten a morsel of non-vegetarian food and NEVER will. I love all things living and VOCIFEROUSLY ARGUE against eating animals and creatures.
I PROPOSE, I ARGUE, I DEBATE, I HIT HARD – BUT DO I IMPOSE?????
The events of this week have shattered not just innocent folks whose business, way of life and freedom has been destroyed but also the BELIEF system of Freedom in India that I had never ever questioned before.
What is Freedom?
The ability to DO without hurting others.
Is eating a Crime?
Sure, if you turn into a Cannibal and start eating your neighbours and office folks, but eating animals like the world has been eating for years?
Hell… I’m wondering… If I make software or cups or supply security guards for McDonald’s – the largest Beef server in the world, will I be jailed?
Do I need to worry of the color of my clothes next?
Can I smile at a Married Lady?
If if don’t bow down to a deity in a temple, will I be fined?
My name is Alok. Yes Alok. Is that legal???
Errr.. Can I pose this selfie of a girl with a Cow?
Is this the stuff that you signed up for?!
*****