“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.â€
~ Elie Wiesel
A prominent actor had once had my sympathies when he was dragged into problems because he supported the Narmada Bachao Aandolan, a noble cause indeed. But his stand on the Olympic-cum-Tibetan problem has left me confused. Each person has his/her personal opinions and hence I dont criticise the actor for his statement. I, however dont agree with his statement.
People being gagged in their own lands, shouting, crying, beaten and shot to death and giving out their pleas for help, getting one chance to express themselves, the Olympics, a global event, played to bring a sense of brotherhood and unity among the diverse countries of our world…….is not what is called “mixing politics and sports”.
I think India should have shown its support to the People of Tibet by boycotting the current Olympics. It’s nothing new. The Olympic Games have been boycotted before in 1956, 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984 by many countries. As many as 65 nations boycotted the 1984 Olympics due to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan.
Human rights is of utmost importance than any sport. This earth belongs to no particular person/group. It is everyone’s right to live freely without any shackles bound to them.
Originally posted on: http://brokenshore.blogspot.com/
#1 by Dileep - April 30th, 2008 at 16:36
I think its not good thing to protest Olympic because as you earlier mention that it’s a global event, played to bring a sense of brotherhood and unity among the diverse countries of our world.
But the thing should be something different, people should protest ‘Olympic held in China’ to escape Chinese government face, which 1st capture Tibet, then make injustice & unhumanity in that country. And here the perfect place & environment for people to stand together for saving the people of Tibet.
This way it become the same thing which had done by ‘Mahatma Gandhi’, 61 years ago here for India called “Asahyog Andolan the protest for every thing against the governament”. Let us make a visilence in the people for their own rights.
Stand for Tibet!!!
Dileep
#2 by Michael Fernando - May 2nd, 2008 at 10:14
Dileep, thanks for the comment…Yes. Mahatma Gandhi’s protest style can also help and some countries are already thinking of doing that…but dont you think this whole “TIBET” issue came into light only after people started protesting while the Olympic Torch entered different countries? The Olympics served as a Global Platform for them.