कानून बेचारे

Summary

The text presents a critical examination of societal decay in India, focusing on widespread fear, insecurity, and lawlessness. It describes how citizens have lost joy and enthusiasm, with conversations dominated by anxiety and a growing sense of unsafety. Festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali are marred by forced donations and intimidation. Extortion gangs on highways, daily bank robberies, and random street violence have become commonplace, with physical assault emerging as a form of entertainment. The text condemns the culture of demanding money without effort, which has spawned protection rackets and even led children to form groups for coercive fundraising. This unchecked behavior has pushed youth toward indiscipline and lawlessness, making intimidation a primary livelihood. Police departments are described as sanctuaries for criminals, with officers often embodying injustice and oppression rather than protection. Traffic violations by government vehicles go unpunished, while citizens face harsh penalties. Government departments issue refund checks that banks reject due to missing advice notes, penalizing taxpayers for officials’ errors. Legal tender is refused by banks, and enforcement agencies like the Income Tax and Customs departments operate with tyrannical methods, using raids to crush dissent. Impractical laws and poor enforcement have paralyzed industry and trade, perpetuating poverty and unemployment. The text laments that even schoolchildren commit planned murders, and ragging in higher education institutions leads to suicides. It argues that the constitution exists only for rulers and administrators, not for the common citizen. The author presents two choices: passively endure injustice or collectively resist through organized protests, awareness campaigns, and pressure on associations and government. It calls for citizens to fulfill their duties, citing Gandhi’s words that justice helps only those who remain vigilant.