What Indians must learn from the French race riots

Kolkata: The latest carnage in France is a bloody tribute to the colonial strategies of Great Britain. As Indians, we may even be thankful that our past masters had finer vision than their bloodline peers.

In case you are busy elsewhere, an ill advised cop shot a youngster of non white origins, while innocently driving. This has led to catastrophic consequences, by pristine first world standards. Shops are being looted, homes plundered, whites thrashed and even a Mayor directly attacked. Scenes imaginable from inflation ridden Latin America or Manila during Marcos are now being enacted in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower.

I still remember my first visit to Paris in 1988 and being overwhelmed by a large Black population. In my naive textbook world view, French were meant to be white but that was far from the truth. What's worse was a distinct clash of civilisations, manifested by a ghetto culture, the separation between 'us' and 'them' leading to constant riots.

As a legacy of a tyrannical colonial approach, France has always worked in wishful denial mode with respect to racial equilibrium. The ex-outposts in Africa, notably Algeria, were freed with much regret and a steady flow of immigrants allowed in, emulating the South Asians in UK. However with a faux missionary belief that they will integrate without any baggage, no room for original expression.

Till date an ethnicity audit is illegal in France, unlike Great Britain, where the 2021 census is an enriching exposition of demographic realities, leading to policy developments. France continues to be in denial about heterogeneity and loves to hide behind romantic air cover. Inspite of an estimated 15 percent of French citizens being of North African or Black ethnicity, close enough to the 18 percent Non-White constituency of Great Britain.

The roots of the 2023 fracas lie clearly in the unconnected colonial worldview of the English and the French, while the common goal did include ample looting. It is sincerely proven that the English were committed to extending their sphere of influence by creating a shadow race, natives empowered as much as the Sahib to perform in the mainstream, whether medicine or law.

The French, like the Belgians, considered the colonies to be resource centres, goodies extending from physical wealth to expendable human resources. If Divide and Rule was the driver for the Brits, Destroy and Loot would be its equivalent for the French. Make no mistake, both were ruthless conquerors when provoked, but otherwise halal and jhatka.

So in modern day Great Britain, race riots do happen but usually between Indians and Pakistanis, the Divide and Rule culture extending seamlessly to 2023. While integration has been sharp and sincere, provided ambition and education were at play, and the previous vassals occupy leadership roles across the spectrum.

A slender yet significant evidence being one Mr. Sunak,  proudly flaunting the tenth residence on Downing Street. Just as the Bengal Famine, Kohinoor annexation and Kala Pani cannot be denied, this too must not be ignored.

Not just in terms of political ancestry, there is a sharper learning for Indians in 2023, especially those with blatant disregard for our success as a nation. When is the last time anybody has seen mass vandalism in the High Streets of Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai or Kolkata? Our socio administrative infrastructure ensures that equilibrium is hastily restored, through a workable judicial process and regulatory machinery. Some may find it politically inspired or selectively draconian but it works and that's what matters.

Equally relevant is the elimination of denial in the sustainability of diversity, unlike the French and sometimes the Americans. We talk about our differences, whether pride or prejudice, and are never compelled to recede under Persian tapestry. Some folks of the day are obsessed about receding secularism and that is a valuable debate, however exaggerated, as the gatekeepers of our beloved democracy are never left complacent. Yet France does not learn, it still wilts under self inflicted imagery of perfection in the Good Life. Thus, it does not even want to know where the citizens come from, as if a medieval monarchy.

As per the Lapierre-Collins classic by the same name, Adolf Hitler is reputed to have asked General Dietrich Von Choltitz, his local man, 'Is Paris Burning?'  This was when the Allies were advancing and the Nazis wanted the city destroyed. Legend suggests that the General desisted, out of sheer affection for civilisation, orders and the SS be damned.

2023 is a rather strange parallel. As much of France burns, the enemy is clearly 'within' and no longer bungling megalomania. A lesson well learnt for Indians, as we revel in the dual advantage of relatively liberal occupiers and an undeniably bustling democracy. Perhaps Rahul Gandhi should lead a global fact-finding mission to Paris while India continues to thrive, much against the wishes of naysayers.

From being a magnetic playground, Europe is rapidly becoming a dangerous tourist destination, brandishing knives and shattered glass panes alarmingly common. It suffers from a crazy cocktail of guilt and denial, so cure is regrettably not forthcoming. In the meantime India is indeed thriving, so do board the bandwagon, with heart and soul.