The
Musings 7
Tuesday,
January 15
Read:
Mark 6: 14-29
What is the price of the
head of a dead soldier? This is the focal point of talk between two nations India
and Pakistan, as they discuss insensitively a grave justice and human rights
issue of callous act of Pakistan of beheading an Indian soldier. This incident
also is viewed by ordinary citizens as they try to grapple with a stark reality
as to how a government is fumbling when tackling
issues of ordinary soldiers who protect the country and its borders, as they
serve in some of the most tough terrains in the world. All these happens ironically
on a day when India celebrated its 65th Army day. What a day to be proud of and
what a day it will be when the
politicians and other senior officers are going to lay wreaths and other floral
arrangements in the memory of those soldiers who sacrificed their life for the
country. These tension arose when it seems that Pakistan planned a pre
meditated attack on the Line of Control on the Indo-Pak border resulting not
only in the killing of two Indian soldiers but also beheading of one soldier.
The beheading of Lance Naik Hemraj has brought about total disgust and anger not
only at the action of the Pakistan army but the common man is also fuming at the
inaction of a government who seems clueless as to what to do, even as the grieving
family members of the dead soldier is observing protest and fast to get back the
head of the martyred soldier. Though the incident of beheading happened on January
8th, the only noteworthy action that Indian authorities and the political
system did was only to lodge a strong protest against it counterparts in
Pakistan. But yesterday for the first
time since the incident happened, the Prime Minister has been talking
tough. The Army chief has also issued
clear warning to Pakistan stating that the beheading of the Indian soldier is
unacceptable and unpardonable as it is barbaric and defies all logic and also
violate rules of engagement in war. He added that India reserves the right to
retaliate at a time a place of its choosing. Thus the war of words have begun and
may be one could see heightened tension being created in the coming days in the
relationship between both the countries. This could also be fuelled by some of
the partisan politics that could be played by some of the political parties who
may want to derive political mileage out
of this horrific event. But what about the family members of Lance Naik Hemraj
as they run from pillar to post not just to get the head back of their family
member but also to redeem their dignity and the right not only of a dead
soldier but also of the whole family. It is disgusting to see how people who
protect us are left in a lurch when a
need comes and one needs to beg and plead to leaders in authority for implementation
of justice and human rights. We live in a world where we sometimes have to be mute
witnesses to such gross injustice leaving us hurt, angry and totally disgusted
at our political system.
When we look at the
Word of God, we can find similarity of the beheading of Lance Naik Hemraj, similarity
in the way injustice prevails and how rulers who are supposed to rule with
justice become pawns of dictatorship, and thus bringing reign of injustice and
oppression in the lives of people. It is
in Mark 6: 14- 29 that we find the incident of injustice and parallel to the
beheading of the Indian soldier. The portion shows the unjust rule of King
Herod. A corrupt ruler who was only interested not only in furthering his
autocratic rule and but also furthering his own selfish interest and lustful
passions. He had married Herodias, his brother wife which was against the law.
It was John the Baptist who had the guts to tell Herod that what he was doing
wrong and that as a rule and king he was supposed to be model and supposed to
rule with justice that is applicable not only to the common man but to the king
also. But being a coward and weak in judgment, though Herod wanted to kill
John, he never had the guts to do it. He finally gets the opportune time when
on a banquet hosted on his birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced and won
his heart. Herod promised her that he would give whatever she demanded even if
it meant half of the kingdom. So strange of a King who is willing to give half
of his kingdom to a young girl just because of the way she danced. In this very
gesture one can understand the prudency and integrity of a King and the values
that he subscribes to his rule of the kingdom. The girl does not seek any
reward but goes to her mother to seek advice as to what to seek and the mother
cunningly knowing the mind of the king ask her daughter to ask for the head of
John the Baptist on a platter. And thus the life and ministry of John the
Baptist is cut short by a king whose interest lay only in furthering his own
selfish and lustful passion not only of the flesh but also of power and
authority. One of the dangers that can beset all of us as Christians is our
lust for power, authority and passion of the flesh. It is this unbridled craving that lead us to
break all rules and our focus is only furthering of our own selfish interest.
When this happens we may not be concerned as to what happens to our colleagues
in ministry, nor our welfare of our neighbours nor the ones who are suffering.
The beheading of soldier and John the Baptist points not only the callousness
of the people in authority but also of those leaders in authority or people who
are concerned only about furthering one's own selfish interest, least concerned
about the pain and suffering of those people to whom we should be actually be
indebted to. Let us pray that our Lord gives us the grace and the strength to
rise above selfish feelings and interest and live a life where we are genuinely
involved in the welfare of others.
