THAT NIGHT IN GAUHATI
First, it was Roop Kanwar and the revival of sati, then it was VP and Mandal and the resurrection of the caste system.Now it is that night in Gauhati and the re-enactment of Dropdi's 'cheerharan'. Viva! India on the move. When Dushshasan dragged Dropdi by her hair and tried to disrobe her in open court, some issues came to the fore. Why did the learned patriarch Bhishm remain silent.It was reasoned that he was bound by his oath to protect the Hastinapur rajya and its king.Was his allegiance to the Raja or the praja?The praja is deemed paramount in all our scriptures and edicts. Was he even bound to defend and endure all the blatant acts of outrage by the king? He was then as much a party to the sins and crime of the king.How then does that make Bhishm the embodiment of integrity and unimpeachable character? Dropdi questions Vidhur on the legal and ethical aspect of Yudhishtra staking her.Vidhur has no answer. No one in the court of Dhitrashtra tries to desist Dushshas