JAI BHIM the REALITIES

 Jai Bhim The Movie

Photo courtesy of The News Minute (Screen Grab from Amazon Prime Video)

Jai Bhim, beyond its gripping entertainment value, it also speaks about the inveterate state of affair in the criminal justice system. This is not an affair that is peculiar to a particular country, but appears to be endemic even in the most developed countries.

The irony of it all is that these perpetrators of these dastardly acts do have family, friends and lead a pretty normal life, like everyone else. Many are devout religionalist, fasting on Kandha Shasti, fasting during the month of lent, or even fasting during the Ramadhan month. But when they take on the role of position and power, suddenly they become a complete different human being altogether, as though either they are possessed or suffering from schizophrenic disorder. I am puzzled, whether is it the nature of their work (dealing with criminals and undesirables) turning them into psychotic state, or they already possess a manic disposition.

I can still recollect the words of Paulo Freire, "Dehumanization, although a concrete historical fact, is not a given destiny but the result of an unjust order that engenders violence in the oppressors, which in turn dehumanizes the oppressed."

Just because the weak has always been oppressed, it does not mean that it has to continue. We have come a long way from slavery to the pursuit of creating a just society, hence people like Justice Chandru (the protagonist in the real story) are the very pinnacle who have made significant strides in that direction. Surya's effort in bringing this story to mainstream attention is very much laudable.

The movie definitely has political undertones, which in a way reflects the movie makers perceived ideagogue, but it is expected. Though I do not think Surya himself has any political ambitions, but he surely has his own sociopolitical values, and I believe that seems to sync with the current TN government's.

Championing equality is one thing but pitting one community against another (SI "Gurumurthy" Vs Rajakannu, in the movie Jai Bhim), if it was intentional, then, it will have consequences to Surya the actor. But that is something that the actor would have thought about and I am sure he will deal with, if it becomes an issue.

I firmly believe that every individual have the right to prescribe to their own values, and it should be respected, even if it differs from our own. However, I would put a caveat here, “that as long as the prescription and practice of that value does not harm another human being”.

Go watch Jai Bhim, with an open mind, beyond good screenplay, acting, and cinematography, it speaks volume of the reality of oppression. As Frederick Douglass says, “where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe”.

Until we collectively renounce fallacious and anarchic assumption on human diversities, we are actually shifting the focus away from the real inequity and discrimination, which in turn will do injustice to the pursuit of human progress.

 

Note: You can catch Jai Bhim on Amazon Prime

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