Justice for morality

Monday, 1 April 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Morality fails if justice is not done. The recent attack on the Pepiliyana Fashion Bug and its tail of events has generated much discussion but disappointingly very little action. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has come out guns blazing insisting that their aim is to establish a “moral” society. But can morality exist without justice?

Despite the existence of several videos clearly showing the perpetrators of the attack, no arrests of those that led the attack have yet been made. They are popular on YouTube and other easily accessible forums but it would seem that Sri Lanka’s law enforcement authorities are not interested in considering them as evidence.

According to reports, a separate rape incident had taken place in Pepiliyana where a Muslim man is alleged to have raped a Sinhala Buddhist girl. But the suspect was arrested and is awaiting justice by the law of Sri Lanka. However, this incident had become linked with Fashion Bug and provided the tragic incentive for mobs to attack the complex. Another point of ire is that the Police did little to stop the attack and instead concentrated on minimising spectators and limiting media coverage.

Given the close link between the Police and political leaders, many are concerned that credible investigations will not take place even though it has now emerged that the Fashion Bug was wrongfully implicated in the “rape” incident. However, this has not deterred the BBS from continuing to call for the boycott of Muslim businesses while appealing to parents to not let their daughters be employed in such companies.

The BBS has repeatedly stated that they are not responsible for the attack but the link between their rhetoric and the sudden increase in attacks on Muslim establishments cannot be disconnected. It is this spiralling of violence, seemingly unchecked by the Government, which is driving concerns of the more moderate population. Unfortunately their appeals for justice and fair play have thus far fallen on deaf ears.

The BBS will launch its Youth Corps this week to educate young people about the dangers of smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. It will conduct workshops on leadership and personality development and promote healthy living and eating habits through an effort called ‘Arogya Parama Laba’. Along the same timeline, an awareness program will be launched in Pannala to educate farmers about the use of organic fertilisers.

Among other things, BBS will hold monthly conferences in all districts to make Buddhists aware of the challenges they face and to advise them how to overcome these problems. The organisation’s general conference was held in Kelaniya on Sunday.

Undoubtedly the organisation has the resources to do much good in society but justice cannot be purveyed by or among one community alone. Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, in a move that is largely overdue, has called for a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the anti-Muslim issue and urge for action from the highest powers in Government. Hopefully this action will have results, but it is now clear as never before that action is essential if racial harmony is to be maintained in Sri Lanka. Delay and neglect at this point will only result in a repeat of history and the loss of justice for all.