Salute to the Hong Kong Student Protest – Take your victory and fold your umbrellas

The Hong Kong Student Protest has reached an impasse and some were suggesting that the students walk away while they are on top. Some were saying that the students did not see any tangible results and could not walk away empty handed and would lose face. I would tend to subscribe to the first position. The students have done a lot to push for the cause of democracy for Hong Kong and the rights of the people in a democratic state. And I believe Beijing has got the message and would be extra careful to infringe on the democratic rights of the people of Hong Kong. There is now an understanding by both sides on what each can do in the event of any attempt to violate the rights of the Hong Kong people. They understood each other better and it is time for the students to walk away while they are still on top of the situation.

The students should know that they could put on a lot of pressure on the Hong Kong and China govts by filling the streets. And they also know that both govts have a lot of constraints and could not simply push them out of the streets. The students by now would also understand that removing the Chief Executive and the freedom to choose their own representative to fill this post is not possible under the present situation. The students too by now would understand that Beijing could not allow the possibility of a ‘hanjian’ to become the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and create serious trouble for Beijing.

Given this situation, and the fact that the Hong Kong govt and Beijing have exercised great restraints to allow the protest to go on for so long, and the patient of the people and businesses in the areas for their losses, the students should take the upper hand by declaring the Protest a success as they have given notice to the govts of Hong Kong and Beijing that their democratic rights must be respected. They should then take a victory march around the area, say thank you to the people and businesses for the disruption to their incomes and lives, say thank you to the govt of Hong Kong and Beijing for tolerating their protest, and then go home.

By doing so, they will earn a lot of public sympathy, support and understanding. The Hong Kong govt and Beijing too would respect their actions and treat them more seriously. And all parties would know that the students would be on the streets again if there is any violation by the govt and Beijing. There will be a lot of goodwill all round and the students would end up as champions and heroes of the Hong Kong people for fighting for their democratic rights.

There is no need to push the barrier further that would lead to intolerance and even some ugly scenes and carnage on the roads. Fold up your umbrellas and walk away with heads held high and be respected by all parties in and outside Hong Kong for doing what is necessary and know when to call it quits on a happy note.

Kopi Level - Green