Musings on the Rizwanur Rahman Tragedy

For those aware of the Rizwanur Rahman tragedy, they know what I'm talking about. For those who do not, well here's the scoop

Now I'm not going to discuss the unholy criminal-police nexus, or the fact that money talks and a dead man walks, well atleast before he is allegedly pummeled by a speeding train. The press has had multiple field days on this, with no signs of relenting; well good for them. What interests me however is the whole dynamics of the ill fated love between these two high unlikely lovers, hailing from extremely disparate socio-economic and religious backgrounds. What the hell were they thinking? Wasn't Priyanka aware of the fact, that her ultra conservative and ultra loaded marwari family would never ever accept her liason, let alone marriage, with a relatively impoverished young muslim man. Was she getting even with her family, and was apprehensive of the fact that she would be married off to some rich marwari scion of maybe of a competing firm, in a fashion that echoed a business deal rather than a union of two loving souls. Or was she a dreamer, who dreamed about setting up a family with a working-class struggler, a man who would love her for what she was, and not for what her family had to offer. The idea is extremely romantic and heartfelt, but Priyanka's lofty ideals just might have been the cause of poor Rizwan's undoing.

On to Rizwans side of the story, it is now evident that he loved Priyanka dearly. A soft, tender man who lived and died in the name of unconditional love.

Now I can see two scenarios from both idealistic and cynical perspectives. The first one being, Rizwan was so driven in his boundless love for Priyanka, that he for once never let any feelings of inadequacy or social incompatibility corrupt the lofty ideals of his helpless heart. Call it a reality check if you must. I am simply too stupefied at him for having the balls to believe in himself and in his dreams. Dreams…and aspirations for a better tomorrow, with Priyanka by his side. Dreams that transcended way higher than the brutal realities of an unforgiving society, and generally of the sick joke we call life. It’s no wonder that his martyrdom, for being an angel of love has the youth up in arms for his cause. Rizwan just ended up making the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of his love. In his demise, he gave the masses hope, he told them it’s OK to be deprived and perhaps mediocre, but that doesn’t deter anyone from pursuing their dreams and believing in love and themselves. He taught them to think beyond the lowly pettyness of social, economic and religious segregation. He taught them the worth of self-esteem. He taught them what integrity of character is all about. He told them you just can’t put up a price on your beliefs and ideals, as it’s reported that he allegedly refused a blank cheque from Ashok Todi, for letting go of her. This, my dear friends, makes Rizwanur Rahman, a true, real-life hero, with whom everyone irrespective of their social standing can relate to. Bottomline; he taught us to be humane in an inhuman world.

Really touched already aren’t you? Well you’re reading the blog of a sick party pooper, so here’s my spin from the other perspective, the darker and the more cynical one.

However looking at it from a holistic point of view, we know certain facts about Rizwan. he was 30, and he knew he had to get married off. No offence to his departed soul, but could it be the case that he knew that he hit the proverbial mother lode. Was Priyanka a worthy conquest to him, as he knew that financially atleast, she was way beyond his league. My devious mind also conjures up a sinister hypothesis that he was counting on the fact, that if he went ahead and took the plunge, he knew he would be up against massive opposition initially, but sooner or later her family would accept the inevitable and thus that would make Priyanka's return on investment higher than any hedge fund wall street has ever come up with.

But now since Rizwan is no more, we will never ever get to know what went through his mind.

On the inter-religious aspect of it, there has always been a collective consciousness against this by certain sections of society. It is a touchy matter. We know that "sometimes" it is not an issue in case the families are educated and forward thinking. This sure wasnt the case here. I'm sure things wouldve been different, if Priyanka was the man, and Rizwan the girl. This tragedy could’ve been avoided altogether, but there would've probably been a different issue in terms of social ostracization of the girls family. When it comes to women, people and families consider them to be the manifestation of their sometimes myopic social pride and respectability, or a personal fiefdom, and so they are often unwilling to make any compromises. In most cases it usually results in the disowning of the sacrilegious person. In extreme cases like this one, people get killed.

At the end of the day however, my heart really goes out for poor Priyanka. It is she who must live with the overbearing emotional guilt of being the indirect cause of the death of the only person she probably loved and cared for. Like the scars of the self inflicted wounds of a jilted lover, she will probably pay a lifelong price of being deemed as the woman who brought about shame to her community and causing the devaluation of her family’s reputation and perhaps, fortune, in the long run. If I could communicate to her, all I would say is "may time and faith redeem your tormented soul and bring about some closure."

Love works in mysterious ways, so the conclusion...well there are no conclusions. All I can ask myself is "Does love really conquer all?"