Editor,
“There is nothing more dangerous than the conscience of a bigot” – George Bernard Shaw.
The world has once again come to a stand-still. I may not speak for the whole world but I could do so for our State. In the months that had passed by, we have seen the sudden rise in the number of Covid-19 cases which is alarming to say the least.
This rise in numbers is a trend we are seeing every day, coupled by the number of deaths which surpass not less than 20 daily. This has unfortunately compelled the State government to impose a total lockdown in Meghalaya as a last resort to stop or rather slow down the spread of the virus.
The lockdown has its own pros and cons; with the cons weighing a tad bit heavier on the scale. The effect it has on the citizens is rather gloomy, mostly for those who belong to the not so well-to-do families.
In Shillong, we know that a majority of the people are not born with the privileges to be able to afford the luxury of ‘work from home’ or even receive their wages and salaries by sitting comfortably within the four walls of their houses; for they have mouths to feed and depend on a meagre amount they receive from the daily wages they earn.
At a time like this, what has appalled me is the statement that came from our very own Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who with no remorse and feeling went on to say that people should resort to having rice with vegetables and skip meat.
This statement from a rather senior politician is unacceptable, inappropriate and outrageous. It just shows the obtrude nature he has who, without a second thought went on to make such a bold statement and surprisingly, comes to its defense as well. We in Meghalaya are known for including meat in our diets. We love to consume meat with our meals, even if it is just a few pieces.
We have a large number of people who depend on butchery as a profession and who earn their daily wages by being in this profession. This would rather be an insult to them. It would be more of an insult and offense to those who cannot afford to include meat in their diets but can only afford to have ‘rice with vegetables’ as our dearest Deputy CM mentioned. Why would he want to impose his opinions on others?
For those who can afford the privilege to include meat in their diets, they are free to do so. For those who cannot because of the many reasons they know better, they are also free to do so. But, for someone to subjugate his opinion on the people only because of a crisis situation is totally unacceptable and uncalled for and should be condoned.
These are hard times for everybody, especially for people who belong to a category who have to work hand to mouth for their very own existence. In times like these, it is important that all of us even our ministers and MLAs to be sensitive and not come out with such harsh statements that are rather upsetting and offensive. Think twice, act wise!
