Today’s rejection of referendum by
Australia to give political rights to indigenous population is a serious setback.
Some common pattern needs to be recognized here. Countries like Australia, New Zealand
and Canada have conducted genocides against indigenous people, to decimate quaint cultures and enslaved them into their religion and way of life. While no real
attempts were made to give political rights to voices of these oppressed
uprooted vulnerable voices, they showed devious vehemence to showcase degrading
religions and regressive values as exotic hence minority and showered with kindness -that these religions
surely do not deserve while they usurp minority voices and ideas, weakening democracy
and individual rights. Canada was, and continues to be, extremely violent towards indigenous
population while they encourage worst of religions. What is significant is that
these nations i.e. Australia, Canada and New Zealand are headed by british monarchy, white people/christianity. This should shudder the soul of humanity that this
colonial legacy -that necessarily represent wanton exploitation of land and
people, is still carried on without any irony while indigenous people are
denied their voice. Compromised political system -that places centrality to feudal
values and christianity, has led to misplaced and easy redemption seeking through
feeding other religions -as minorities and exotic presence, for deviant compulsions
of multiculturalism. Worst of people and values are being nurtured. It is not
at all surprising that these nations are breeding ground for religious extremism
and active source for misery across the world. Britain has done immense damage
to the world, and continues to do so.
Over the last few centuries indigenous
people, tribes and aborigines were brutalized by powerful competing forces
across the world, and sought to be decimated. These are original
people of the land. They have deep connection to the world they live in. They carry
the wisdom of centuries. They are soul of the land. They represent the entirety
of biodiversity of the land as they are intricately connected to it unlike dehumanized
people slaving for power and money while destroying their own habitat and
nature with impunity. As earth is reaching a point of no return for human existence
it is the indigenous voices that matter most. They are not exotic presence with
colorful attire to fill in the gala of photoup. They need active representation
not only at national level but at all international forums. Voice of indigenous
people is the voice of earth. We need to listen. We need to listen carefully.
*Many years back I spent time with various tribes across India, mostly trying to understand their world view as also language and poetry/oral traditions. There maybe bit of romanticism here, mundane and disappointments, but yes there is lot to learn. You could easily sense deeper connections through language, poetry, certain aspects of way of life and thoughts.
