It is very likely that it could
get really bad from here. I am quite an admirer of people in Egypt who are
vocal about their rights and representation. Unfortunately though, the passion in the street
is not met with subtleties of the systems in place. If the elected government
blatantly introduces changes in Constitution, there were no checks in place. It
must have been dealt at the Legislative level, if not the Judiciary should have
intervened and preempted the slide. Indian experience on these matters could
have been a valuable example that could have been emulated to keep the sanctity
of the institutions. In Egypt a serious
transgression has happened and has set a very wrong precedence, it will be regretted
for a long time to come. Religion, in a country where most people follow, should
have a space, provided it doesn’t impede into others right, if ever it need to be
handled politically as also within the framework of law. Institutions should be
respected and necessarily reflect aspirations of people. Army cannot impose it’s
will, even in the name of people, it’s a dangerous development. It’s a failure
of judiciary to safeguard the constitution in Egypt, first by the President now
by the Army.
People protest in Tahrir square
against the Mubarak regime had repercussions across the world and was surely a landmark
event in the world history. It is a benchmark for ruthless regimes, a lesson
for all. It should have been a foundation for a vibrant democracy and
prosperity with people participation.
Egypt unfortunately couldn’t keep
up the promise, the higher echelons of society including the Army is pushing
the country into precipice. The “coup” has put the country in serious crisis,
it looks like something quite extra ordinary could save things from here. If
the society at this point is multipolarised, very soon it will coalesce into deeply
fractured extreme sections: the Army and the Fundamentalist, both section not
known for virtues of discussion (indeed it is neither the mandate of the Army nor
the way it is trained, the reason why it has to be under civilian authority for
democracy to flourish) or application of peaceful means for negotiation, that
can put strong foundation of democracy. Both sections are armed, organized and has
the potential for massive destruction. This also needs to be put in context of
opportunists across the border of the increasingly fragile region, including
the arms dealers, Islamists, neo-colonial forces, western powers for strategic
gains so on. Most people will have to
either move out or take sides, as things will get violent. People protests
works in the framework of non violence. It seems the country is reaching the fringe. This
seem to be the narration of most societies in the region, as elite section
refuse to relinquish power and perks, they are so used to, and end up pushing
the country into violence and chaos, either they try to capitalize on dying or
else are the first people to flee to safer havens and continue their
‘struggle’, mostly in the luxury of Europe as champions of democracy. People
protesting and struggling on the street will soon be pushed into extreme
misery. Nobody will like such an eventuality to befall on an important nation
like Egypt, but it seems to be a distinct possibility. Time is running out in
Cairo…
