EGYPT – IN FOR A SECOND JASMINE REVOLUTION?

Egypt is on the boil again. This is the second time within a period of one year that country is caught in a turmoil. First it was Hosni Mubarak, former President, the arrogant dictator, who ruled Egypt for more than three decades versus Egyptian majority. He ruled with an iron hand, suppressed many a rebellion led a life of pomp and pageantry while unemployment, corruption, price-rise, famine, malnutrition et al was on the rise. Economy was in a shambles and the nation as a whole got fed up with his style of functioning. The citizens were waiting for a chance to rise in revolt against the dictator and they got it in handy with the arrival of Arab spring. Tunisia was the first African country to fall against the might of Tunisians. The infamous ruler of Tunisia Zinual-Abidin Ben Ali tried his best to counter the revolt of Tunisians but he had to bow out of power unable to stand the might of tens of thousands of Tunisians. Tunisian revolution was later popularly known as ‘Jasmine Revolution’ which worked as a catalyst for the people of Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and a few Arab countries. Imbibing spirit from Jasmine Revolution the Egyptian citizens unitedly rose in revolt against the Mubarak govt and the majority of citizens gathered at the iconic Tahrir Square and led the uprising. Mubarak with an iron fist tried to suppress the uprising with the help of army but the citizens braved all sorts of repressive tactics and their struggle lasted for eighteen days. In the end Mubarak who ruled the country for more than three decades succumbed to the pressure of citizens and fled the country conceding defeat.
Later an interim military govt took charge of the affairs of the country.The interim govt promised the citizens to hold an election at the earliest and they believed the assurance of military council.
As the days passed along the Military Council displayed its true colours. Like Mubarak, like the Military Council. The citizens actually fell in council’s trap ad taking the military council’s assurance for granted they dispersed from Tahrir Square. The military bared its dictatorial tendencies and went on intimidating and suppressing the citizens.
Though they were taken aback in the beginning the nation as a whole decided to unitedly fight against the military with determination and courage and converged at Tahrir Square.
Military adopted strong arm tactics against the youth, women and old who assembled at Tahrir Square, tear gas shells, rubber bullets and water canons were employed to disperse the crowd. Though they temporarily withdrew, later surged to Tahrir Square and raised slogans against the Army. The Army turned more aggressive and they fired at the people and within a short period killed more than 35 and injured 1700 people. At the time of writing this a violent uprising is going on and it could be aptly termed ‘Jasmine Revolution No.2’.
It is alleged that elections are scheduled to b conducted on Nov 28 but the Army’s intention is to do away with elections so as to cement its position. The word is anxiously watching the shape of things to come in the near future.