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Uncritical people are a product of oppressive gov’ts

01 Sep 2022

During the presentation of the interim Budget for 2022 on Tuesday (30 August), President Ranil Wickremesinghe blamed rhetoric, as well as the politicised economic policies brought in by politicians for their own benefit in the name of the people and the people who accepted those policies without criticism, for hampering the country’s progress. He also stated that such economic policies are the main reason for the collapse of the economy, which, during the past few months of the economic crisis, has been acknowledged by economists and even the people. Even though they are not new, the President’s sentiments are quite valid, perhaps now more than before, especially due to the prevailing economic conditions. In fact, the President’s sentiments have remained well known for a long time, even though the question remains as to how much progress has been attained by the efforts aimed at achieving attitudinal changes among the people concerning politics, dissent, and democracy at the national level. However, acknowledging this bitter reality alone is not sufficient to bring about the sort of changes that the country needs, especially with regard to dissent. Even though the President acknowledged one main aspect of this issue – i.e. some citizens tending to remain excessively complacent and uncritical, or ignorant – there is another aspect of this issue that he did not mention. That is the practical challenges that hinder people from being freely critical of the Government’s decisions. The existence of these practical challenges became obvious during the “aragalaya” (struggle) movement, when even a simple Facebook post against the Government and the authorities was seen by the law enforcement authorities as valid grounds for arrest and questioning. In addition to official legal action, there are countless allegations of the same authorities targeting people through other means for acts of dissent and criticism. In that sense, it would not be wrong to state that regardless of what the laws or the Constitution say about the parameters of the people’s right to be critical, the “aragalaya” helped the country see what sort of freedoms should exist in reality when it comes to being critical of and dissenting from the Government’s policies.  In this context, it is apparent that not only should there be an acknowledgment of the importance of the people being critical, but that there should also be freedom, recognition, and a proper platform for the people to voice their opinions without fear of discrimination, disproportionate legal action, or intimidation. The President – who has openly acknowledged the importance of criticism that many politicians are reluctant to acknowledge, while also linking the same to the prevailing dire economic situation – should set an example by leading his Government and the authorities under it to protect and respect the people’s freedom to be critical.  He can start by directing members of his Government to be open to valid criticism coming from the people, without using their powers against the people who are trying to exercise their Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and the freedom to express opposition in the face of something undesirable – which any human being should have.  Unless and until valid criticism is welcomed, it would most likely be unleashed in other, less civilised or even unlawful manners. A truly democratic country cannot exist if it does not allow, let alone accept, valid criticism.


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