If we take today's society into consideration, it is amply noticeable that it is rampant with violence and corruption. Every nook and corner of the country is corrupted and is filled with violence. As always happen, the poor is suffering while the other side is taking advantage. Almost all the fields; education, health, police, prison and key government positions have been corrupted. The very institutions that are supposed to uphold social values violate those social norms, and victimize the very innocent that are expected to be safeguarded by the agencies of law enforcement.
The Sinhala documentary film by a veteran film-maker Prasanna Vithanage, "Usawiya Nihadai" ( the Court is silent) is woven around the corruption and violence that take place in the judiciary system in Sri Lanka. The film exposes the fact that an accused (the magistrate) that should be incarcerated for twenty years on charge of rape is at large to date by virtue of his influence in the legal circles. Also, the film finally reveals how an inhuman culprit in the guise of a judge escapes all his sins scot free with the connivance of the then Chief-Justice of Sri Lanka.
The film has focused on the decadence of social values and it raises awareness among the film-goers of the evils of the society we live in. Through this, the intention of the producer has been to make Sri Lankan audience more mature on such instances of social injustice, and educate the public on certain human rights violations. Moreover, this film, "Usawiya Nihadai" seems to have convinced that our society has a long trudge to march to achieve a decent society for our children to live in peace without being harassed, and for this right thinking citizens should throw their weight in to the process of civilizing society.
Apart from that, the heroine of the plot, the wife of goldsmith who was victimized in the hands of injustice by the persons who are expected to uphold social values, exemplifies the heroic mettle of the feminine gender. Indirectly, through the character of this woman the producer tries to tempts everyone wronged to rise against such injustices and reform society.
So, it is clear that, this film, "Usawiya Nihadai" is a significant masterpiece to portray the desert of moral decadence of the prevailing society. Also, it brings out how certain political parties, power and other outside sources can effect to increase the violence and corruption in a society. It is the responsibility of law abiding citizens to put on their weight to decrease such violence and help to redress the society.
The law in this country is been dead from a long time ago. as you have stated the law is applicable only for the people of lower social status and the ones with wealth and political power somehow try and find a loophole to escape the punishments. The case of women are much worst in the country. Due to the patriarchal influence in most of the Asian countries women have been suppressed for decades. Nevertheless, it's pointless to complain about the corrupted judiciary and people in governance who have caused havoc to the judiciary system as it's the very people who are victimized through it, have elevated them to those positions with their electoral power. The country needs a systematic change and an innovation and a social-democratic political strategy deeply rooted in humanity to eradicate corruption. To do this, people need to change.
ReplyDeleteI like to mention your statement - "the country needs a systematic change". Yes, it is totally true, but what I see is, individually we all have to change. We must protect humanity, justice, human rights, feelings or emotions of others thinking that all are equally valuable, as we all have a responsibility for that. I think that ,then, it will be possible to make the society we live in a better one.
DeleteIndeed in every society, those who have powers seem to control the county as they please. Corruptions are hidden from the public eye. Injustice happens to the ones who do not have power. People in power get away with their crimes. It is nauseating to witness such injustice in the society. But still people do not seem to do anything about it. Only the victims of such incidents do stand up sometimes, yet the society decides to watch it instead of taking action. If the roots are rotten they should be dugged out. And that is what we as a society should do, instead of buttering over rotten politicians.
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree with your opinion. Most of the people don't like to rise up against a injustice because of their fear or sometimes because of shy. Bust, what should happen is that, if there is any injustice happening to anybody we all have a responsibility to oppose it, and the necessary actions must be taken by the relevant authorities. If all are agree to rise up when there is an injustice, I think that after few years we will be able to live in a society where we all are able to live freely.
Delete