First of all, do you know why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra, also known as Dasara or Vijaya Dashami, is a celebration for the victory of Good over Evil. It is what we have always heard “Buraai ki haar – Achchaai ki Jeet”.
Let me begin by telling you the story we have heard over all these years on why is Dussehra celebrated.
Why Rama Killed Ravana | The Inside Story
The demon king Ravana had a sister known as Saroopnakha / Shurpanakha. Saroopnakha liked Rama but on finding that Rama is married, she approached Lakshman, Rama’s younger brother. Lakshman rejected her proposal, harshly saying “you are not my type” and thus Rama, Lakshman, and Sita started making fun of Saroopnakha.
Feeling insulted, Saroopnakha got in a fight or an argument with Sita. On seeing this, Mr. Lakshman got so enraged that he cut off Saroopnakha’s nose and left ear.
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In fact, in today’s world, Mr. Lakshman would have been charged with Section 307 Of Indian Penal Code i.e., attempt to murder.
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Continuing the saga, Ravana got furious upon seeing her sister shattered and in pain. In a fit of rage, he kidnapped “Maa Sita”, Lord Rama’s wife. This is why Rama Killed Ravana and this day is celebrated as Dussehra.
Think about this, do you seriously think that Ravana did something really evil? Look at the situation – If a guy cuts off your sister’s nose & an ear just because she liked or proposed him, what are you going to do?
Keep yourself at Ravana’s place and think about what would have you done if someone had done this to your sister. I, with hot Punjabi blood could have been more evil than “Shri Ravana”.
I appreciate the fact that Ravana never exploited or violated the modesty of Sita.
Therefore, I don’t feel like celebrating Ravana’s death. Because honestly, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in his place.
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If it would have happened today, Shri Rama would have been charged with IPC 302 (murder) which entails a punishment of death or life imprisonment. On the other hand, Ravana would have been punished with imprisonment for 7 years under section 365 i.e., punishment for abduction.
Also, I think if we are celebrating Dussehra, i.e., the victory of Good over Evil, how can the good one take “kanoon in his hand”
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Why Shah Ji is Boycotting Dussehra?
The Real Reason: Amritsar Train Accident | Celebrations Turned In To Howling Cries Of Death
The above was based on a mythological story Ramayana. There is one more, the real reason why I feel that Happy Dussehra is no longer happy for me. 2 years ago, a terrible tragedy happened, the Joda Phatak Tragedy, also known as the Amritsar Train Disaster. It was Oct 19, 2018, there was a “Dussehra mela”, a Dussehra fair in Amritsar where the effigies of Ravana had to be burnt. A large crowd had gathered and were sitting on or near the railway track called ‘Joda Phatak’. While people were watching the burning of Ravana’s effigy, a train ran into the crowd killing 60 people on the spot and injuring 72.
This was the first time that I felt the pain & literally CRIED on watching a news. I have seen a lot of tragedies on news channels but it was my people of Punjab who had gathered to celebrate a festival but lost their lives. It was the most painful thing to ever see in my life.
Thinking of this, how could Dussehra be a Happy Dussehra for me?
Lastly, if you research about Ravana, you will find that he was the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva and I, Shah Ji can never celebrate the death of the biggest Shiv Bhakt!
May the departed souls from the Amritsar Joda Phatak Train Accident rest in peace.
Yours,
Shah Ji / Aseem Shah Chandigarh