Olympics of China

What a bizarre and surprising Olympic torch run it has been? There was everything in it, except peace, harmony, goodwill and happiness, things that the run symbolizes. The security detail was something that is provided to head of states or may be only to President of US. The most surprising was the scenes played out on the streets of London. One would be forgiven if they thought it was some dictatorial state and not some free democratic country. The glaring part was presence of Chinese security personnel, who were the part of innermost ring of the security bubble, on the streets of London. The Chinese security men were seen beating one of the demonstrators who tried to grab the torch from Konnie Huq, later that person was tackled by police, as with many other demonstrators.

Judging by the comments on several news sites and Youtube, average Chinese citizens have not taken well of these protests. They see it as offending and against their country. May be they don’t know the truth. They have always read, heard and talked what the ruling Communist party wanted? I will not be surprised if those born after 1989 would not know that there was ever a Tiananmen Square incident. I have talked to few of Chinese colleagues, and it so surprising that they don’t even have casual talk among themselves on these issues. I don’t know how many of them know about Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1951. I don’t think any one in China can even read this blog. Till couple of years ago, blogger was blocked in China, may be it still is.

As I write, the scene in San Francisco has yet to unfold. It should not be anything different than that of London or Paris, but news reports say that US has done massive security arrangements. In India, they are barricading the streets for safe run of the torch, but it would be most unfortunate if a single Chinese security person is present on the streets of Delhi. If China can’t trust the local security arrangements, it should not allow its torch to be paraded. Till now the heavy handed security has only refreshed the memories of Tiananmen Square. Perhaps, in place of the Olympic torch, China should have rolled over one of its Tiananmen Tank on the world capitals. It would have been more befitting to Chinese Olympics.