A large number of Malayalis have become pessimistic about Kerala. Representative ImageA large number of Malayalis have become pessimistic about Kerala. Residents as well as expatriates don’t have any faith in their motherland. They don’t believe that society, or its catalysts, will stand up to them.
Many Malayalis try to overcome this with their characteristic distrust in the government and other social organisations, self-contempt of the intelligent victims, the resulting rejection of human values, and a helpless but brave effort to mock the forces that oppress them.
On the other hand, we are nosediving to superstitions and other delusions like religious-caste fanaticism and moral policing. Thus an average Malayali’s response system has sunk in complete negativity.
Shockingly, even children have started behaving like this. This is a frightening omen and a warning. Cruelty is no longer uncivil in Kerala.
This demands a comprehensive social analysis but there are some very obvious facts.
If Malayalis have lost Kerala as an anchor, the main contributor to this is the withering away of the dream of good governance they expected from the democratic system, particularly the political parties and people’s representatives.
Governments became the fortresses built on the skeletons of our dreams. Political parties became oppressors and arrogant masters. Citizens had to beg or bribe for each of his right. This heartbreaking situation forced Malayalis to write off Kerala from their hearts and minds. Our self-pity and black humour cover the tears of loss.
Adding to this helplessness and alienation, a majority of the media failed to point to the crisis of democracy or to adopt a stand that would help people.
(Paul Zacharia is a Malayalam short story writer, novelist and essay writer)
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