Trump missed the Nobel Peace Prize, for which he had ardently longed, making no secret of it and loudly claiming he had prevented 7 wars. The fact remains that he has been supporting the inhumanity of Netanyahu in Gaza with the supply of arms and violence in Ukraine and dozens of other places where American arms reach. Such evident realities do not seem to embarrass him in the least.

So, the Nobel Peace Prize goes to Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader in Venezuela. The world has yet to listen to her cry, "Choose ballots, not bullets." Believers in bullets increase, people who tamper with ballots multiply. 'Goli maro' threat is not averted by 'Vote chor' lamentation. Tampered votes provide no solution. A stage of "helplessness" has arrived.

No wonder the Nobel Prize for literature was given to Hungarian László Krasznahorkai, who follows the style of Franz Kafka's cynical tales, telling the experiences of an exploited group in a Communist collective farm, waiting for liberation that never comes. Their state of despair reflects the world's current situation. Pessimism prevails everywhere; pessimism has won the day. Lazlo is called the Master of the Apocalypse, arguing: "Hell and Heaven are both on earth, they are here and now." A 'sense of lostness'... that is our fate, whether we are pining away in a collective farm owned by a Communist regime or a brick factory owned by a multi-billionaire.

Contradictions Choke You
Both our Leading Men and their Challengers have become a bundle of contradictions. Charlie Kirk, a hero of free speech and liberty, was also an anti-feminist, anti-environmentalist, and anti-African Americans. While standing tall for "Judaeo-Christian" values and remaining a loud MAGA propagandist, he swore that Martin Luther King was not a good man.

Trump holds up the Bible at one moment and vomits venom against races, religious groups, respected heads of state, weaker nations, and helpless immigrants. He who once called Pakistan a "terrorist safe haven" is making them his most loyal allies. Modiji, whose message that the 'age of wars is over' was widely acclaimed, is proud of Operation Sindoor and is buying up arms from all over the world; the last purchase being from Keir Starmer, worth 350 million pounds sterling.

On the one hand, there are those who argue that criticism of RSS-BJP or the Prime Minister is an anti-Hindu gesture, an anti-national activity. Others firmly hold that freedom of speech includes the "freedom to offend;" no difference is made between responsible political criticism and humiliating personal insult. Modiji himself descends to such boorish depths when referring to Sonia or the Gandhi family.

Then there is the recent phenomenon of protestors without a programme of action or specific goals, e.g., in Bangladesh or Nepal, who prop up mere 'populist' heroes whose unsure feet lead nations in unpredictable ways. Their opportunistic creativity opens the door to repeated fumblings.

Bill Gates, looking at the world scenario, feels that the era of anarchy has arrived. He speaks of geopolitical uncertainty, international instability, a lack of global coordination, a lack of mutual collaboration, and the failure of aid to those in need. He feels it is time to act. I would add that it is time to think together for a while and act responsibly, intelligently, and purposefully. Don't be misled by the prejudices of the moment.

A World of Prejudices All Around
As inter-community interactions multiply at the global level, the walls of prejudice rise to new heights. If Indians are unwanted everywhere, there must be some reason. If over 150,000 gathered in London against migrants, it is not only about prejudices on one side, but also about prejudice-raisers and undocumented arrivals on the other side. Indians lead the list. The religious, ethnic and cultural prejudices that divide Indians among themselves at home also raise the prejudices of those among whom they want to settle. If Indians were specially targeted in Ireland, Australia, or Florida recently, it is time that those migrants worked hard on prejudice reduction.

It is easier said than done for members of a society that has fostered prejudices over centuries. Divided we have always stood! Rittu Marak, a flight attendant from Meghalaya, was insulted several times in Kamala Nagar, Delhi, in the course of a day. "Ching Chong China," they cried, pointing a finger at her. She said she was never insulted similarly in any other country. She experienced prejudice in her own homeland. This has been the experience of several others from the Northeast.

The Sense of Helplessness among the Tribals and Dalits
While a sense of emotional distance is strong among people of different religions, ethnicity, culture, and region in various parts of India, the tribals and Dalits are especially reminded to keep to their humble position. That is the message that goes out every day from our Majoritarian society. The Hindutva elite consider respect for Dalits and tribals, or helping them in any way, as "Hinduphobia."

When an advocate, Rakesh Kishore, threw a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, many glorified this humiliation. Social media continued to shower him with insults. The humbling of Gavai was considered a sturdy defence of Sanatana Dharma. The VHP asks him to respect Hindus. Does respecting Hindus mean hating Islam or appeasing the RSS? There was no shock, no shame, no sense of unfairness!

When the Prime Minister expressed his regret, it turned out to be no more than a ritual. A Dalit remains a Dalit, no matter how high the office he holds! Is anyone surprised that a Dalit man, Hariom, was beaten to death at Raebareli the other day? Here is where Lazlo Krasznahorkai's words, 'Hell is here on earth, here and now,' make sense. A 'sense of lostness' is their fate.

Tribal Ancestral Lands under Ongoing Threat
Monalisa Changkija says ancestral tribal lands are continuously subject to corporate intrusion. The only possession tribals have is handed over to mining companies and labour-exploiting corporations. Vast areas are given away to Patanjalis, Vedantas, and Ambanis in Assam, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Kanhaiya Kumar speaks of 1000 acres in Bhagalpur, Bihar, sold to Adani for one rupee per acre. Is that anything less than zameen chor? Vote chor turns maati chor, jaati chor, dharam chor, jivan chor.

Smaller communities are proud of their identity. Umang Singhar proudly claims: "We are Adivasis, not Hindus. We are proud of our identity. Don't make us Vanvasis." He knows that making them vanvasis is an RSS trick to keep them marginalised and enslaved under Manu's caste laws.

Some Tipra Motha tribals in Tripura recently torched the BJP office in Agartala; they see their indigenous assets being taken away from them day after day. Locals become aliens in their own land. Priyank Kharge in Karnataka suggests curbs on RSS. He fears that if they do not spare even Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar, they will not spare him either. No doubt, he continues to receive threat calls day after day.

Demographic Threat
If Mamata is afraid of outsiders' influx into Bengal, Ladakhis see outsiders sucking their homeland dry, extracting wealth from their mines and resources. Locals have little say. Demographic change and homogenisation are in full strength. Outsiders take contracts in BJP-led states like UP or Assam, where a Haryana company recently took over the construction of the Jorhat bridge. The Buddhist population in Ladakh sees too little future for their community. Contrary to what Modiji urges, 'locals' are not allowed to be 'vocal.' Sonam Wangchuk is in jail for demanding statehood, Union Territory status or at least Sixth Schedule rights.

Border areas seem to be destined only for commercial exploitation; border people are not entitled to their identity, culture, and freedom to shape their own future. Prime Minister deigned to visit Manipur 864 days after the tragedy of 2023, in which 260 lost their lives, 60,000 were displaced, while he visits Gujarat as often as a cow wags its tail, as someone sarcastically remarked. Mallikarjun Kharge called Modi's display in Manipur a 'farce', characterised by high rhetoric and poor substance.

If Have-nots will Never Have, Nor will Others Have
László Krasznahorkai's apocalyptic vision of reality is coming mercilessly true in thousands of circumstances. Our judicial system is going awry. Over 60% of cases of atrocities against Dalits lie unattended. Fresh corruption cases have been filed against Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi Yadav just before the Bihar election. They do not belong to the privileged caste like Advani, who escaped conviction after the Babri Masjid tragedy. One thing that must become clear to all is that if one layer of society is not ensured fairness, the other layer will not enjoy it either.

Security of one is the security of the other. If Palestinians are not safe, Israelis will not be safe either. If we make sure that Pakistanis are in danger, we too shall be. Pakistan has alerted Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, China, and, of late, America itself. The Modi Government has lined up the Muslim world against India's national interests. Brigadier Ranjit Borthakur fears that an Islamic NATO counterpart may emerge with the recent US-Israeli attack on Iran and the humiliation of Sindoor.

Pakistan has warned over fifty Muslim nations about common dangers, offering nuclear assistance to anyone who needs it. Raj Nath asked India to be ready for a 5-year war. Great disasters can overtake us in a much shorter time. Good strategies involve adequate preparation and responsible approaches! Respectful dealings evoke respectful dealings.

In the same way, if minority communities are not respected in India, the majority community will also fail to earn respect. A poster in UP read, "I love Adityanath, I love bulldozer." A bulldozer culture does not guarantee a sure future to anyone. UP government admits to 15,726 police encounters, 256 deaths since 2017. Chaotic governance draws a chaotic response. If one cannot hold up a poster which says "I love Mohammed," another cannot confidently hold up one that says "I love Sanatana Dharma." Uncertainties create uncertainties. Insensitivity breeds insensitivity.

Insensitivity Fosters Insensitivity
Sensitivity is cultivated at home in the first stage. Crimes against women are growing in our country, with UP leading the rest. Over 29.8% of such instances are by family members themselves. There have been 4,48,211 dowry deaths and 40,000 rape of children in their homes. UP again has the highest number of crimes against women: 66,381. There are increasing instances of contract killers, money for murder.

Harriet Ann Jacobs once said, "Cruelty is contagious in uncivilised communities." In this context, we want to ask: Who are the most uncivilised today? Those who are guilty of the crimes we have mentioned above, or those who are immediately responsible for the Gaza genocide, or those who supplied arms to the killers? More than 74% of Israelis want to end the war, but the war goes on. Over 70,000 have died in Ukraine, nearly 66,000 in Palestine. Aesop was right in saying, "We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." What spreads today is not civilisation, but "un-civilisation."

An economist was eloquent when he argued that rupee depreciation helps exporters. Not citizens, certainly! The Indian economy is all about enriching the billionaires. The dominant message is: high-net-worth families can help India to become $5 trillion economy faster. A writer quotes Shakespeare's cynical comments about Big Robbers: "Through tattered clothes small vices do appear, robes and furred gowns hide all" (King Lear). The rich and the powerful get away with anything.
There Are Answers
On the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, delivered a message of Peace as an answer to a divided world. Dialogue ought to displace violence. CP Radhakrishnan, the newly elected Vice President of India, pointed out that only the concept of Dharma can keep India on the right path.

What we need to do is translate such messages into action in realistic ways. Jyotiba Phule, whose 200th anniversary falls in 2027, started educating Dalits and Bahujans in his time, to the wonder and dismay of the higher castes. His wife did the same for the girls. Today, we understand the relevance of their services. We hope the celebration of his second centenary will not be merely an occasion for the BJP to advertise itself, but serve as a reminder to the nation. The same should be true of Bharat Ratna conferred on Bhupen Hazarika.

The Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism reported that 59 communal incidents in 2024 were linked to festivals and places of worship. It is against such a background that we should understand the meaning of the reputed Assamese singer, Zubeen Garg's, declaration: "I have no caste, no religion ... I am a free man." He was open to all communities alike. His politics was a 'melody,' calling for the recognition of the weak. Power is to empower others, he sang. He was the voice of the voiceless. His unexpected departure was a tragedy.

Zubeen's songs seem to echo this Message: Search sincerely. Solutions to all problems are in your Heart.