By Albert Thyrniang
Recently Meghan Markle and Prince Harry dropped many bombshells in their interview with the popular talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. The allegations during the two-hour-twenty-minutes long chat rocked the western world and shook Birmingham palace. The media in the US and UK went into melt down. Media persons were sharply divided – one set in defence of the monarchy and the other in defence of the royal couple. Surprisingly the interview did not resonate with the Indian population in spite of the obvious implications.
The explosive interview is opined to have brought the worst crisis to the British Royal Family in many decades. The British monarchy, the most well-known among the 43 constitutional monarchies in the world, has faced many challenges including scandals in its history. The internet will provide you with long lists of the royal family scandals and secrets. It just shows that human nature is the same – royal or no royal. Those who are born privileged have the same human inclinations and weaknesses. There is no pretence.
The history of the British monarchy dating back to the 10th century and transformed into a constitutional monarchy with the Glorious Revolution of 1688, is held in high esteem. Those who have castigated Meghan and Prince Harry are defenders of this institution. They want to preserve its grandeur. That is the reason they find it hard that someone should attack it resulting in a negative cascading effect. They wish to see that the Monarchy is insulated from damaging criticisms.
One damming allegation is the presence of racists among the Royal Family members. A prominent member was supposed to have expressed fears that the colour of Meghan and Harry’s first child could be black.The pro-monarchy and hence critics of Meghan and Harry found it impossible to digest that the 94 year old queen Elizabeth II or/and any other of her family is racist. The counter to this defence is the compelling argument by one Dr SholaMos-Shogbamimu. Befittingly slamming Piers Morgan, a die-hard critic of Meghan who had indulged in diatribes against the actor-turned duchess, the political and women’s rights activist, reminded us that, “The royal family, as an institution, is rooted in colonialism, white supremacy, and racism. The legacy is right there.”
Yes colonialism was expanded, racism and slavery was committed and white supremacy was expressed, all in the name of the queen or king of England. European institutionalised colonists engaged in unimaginable crimes ‘against humanity’ and made other races serve their greed, including legalised slavery, because the Blacks and the Browns were considered inferior to the White race. Even the founding fathers of the United States of America owned slaves who worked in the agricultural farms. Colonists looted the wealth of Africa and Asia. The British looted $45 trillion from India alone. London was built on the wealth plundered from colonies. The least reparation the Royal Family can offer is an apology for the historical wrongs.
That some families are still considered royal is outdated in the 21st century. Why should they be royal just because they are born in a family? There is no merit at all. They happened to be born in that family. There is no royal blood. There is no royal flesh. There is no royal nature. All are scientifically the same. Then why is this ‘royalty’ accepted and respected even today?
The enormous privileges enjoyed by the British monarchy are unjustifiable. In 2020 it was revealed that the tax payers had to spend 82.4 million pounds for the monarchy. The Monarch can’t be prosecuted. The Monarch is the head of state. The Monarch is the head of the Common Wealth of Nations. The queen is the head of the Church of England. These constitutional, legal and religious privileges are automatically and exclusively gifted to the British monarchy for no merit at all. No one in the UK can aspire to be head of state. Why? Just because he or she does belong to the Royal Family! It is bizarre, frankly! There is a mighty valid point for calls for the abolition of Monarchy in England. As ‘insiders’, for Meghan and Harry to dare to call out this age-old institution is commendable!
Those who disapprove of Meghan and Harry’s interview point to the timing. Queen Elizabeth is 94 years. Her husband Prince Philip, 100 was hospitalised when the interview was on air. Critics were quick to accuse the duo of insensitivity. Well, there is no perfect timing for anything. Something parallel will always happen. One can’t wait for the most suitable time to raise pertinent issues. The leadership in the Monarchy enjoys all the privileges and adulation and have to take bitter pills as well.
The sensitive mental health issue reveal by Meghan is not surprising but the allegation that she was denied help is shocking. Meghan is not the first in the royal family to open up on their mental state. Princess Diana was one of the first and the most high profile of the royals to speak about mental health experiences. No one is insulated from mental disorders, including the high and mighty. That Meghan was candid with her illness – to the point of constant suicidal thoughts – was no astonishment but reactions belittling that were disgusting. No wonder Piers Morgan, the host of the TV show, “Good Morning Britain” was ‘sacked’ for his thoughtless lashing of Meghan thus demeaning mental health of others as well.
Now, let’s delve a bit more into the implications. Equality is still a far cry. Equality remains largely a concept. In reality some are always more equal than others. Worse, those who are at the ‘higher state’ owe it to their births. In India monarchy may have been abolished in 1971 but royal families live in luxury. Inheritors of princely states have become political families and continue to hold a firm grip on Indian politics. The ‘inheritance’ is passed on from one generation to another. Members of these families are elected to the parliament and legislative assembly on the basis of their background. Some have become Chief Ministers. We all know the political family that has ruled this country for a long time.
In Meghalaya too political families are in dominance. It is common sense to observe that had many of these politicians not been born in their respective families they would have been ordinary citizens like you and me.
Certain individuals and institutions are put on a pedestal and criticism against them is not welcome. Many would not contemplate to do so. Some have to pay the price. Individuals have to face police and legal actions for calling out PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath and for censuring the central and state governments. Others are condemned as anti-nationals for being vocal. In Meghalaya too complaints against the institution of Rangbah Shnong, Syiemship, NGOs, the Church, traditions and Ka Jaitbynriew is detested. FIRs and court cases have followed for critical opinions. A summary of reactions to this writer may be of interest. ‘You are a church man you should not criticise the Church and religion. You are a Khasi you should be careful while discussing the Rangbah Shnong, the Syiemship, Khasi traditions and Ka Jaitbynriew,’are some of the scathing ones. Then on what subject do we speak?
Regarding race we acknowledge that we prefer the white- skinned. Hollywood stars are fair. Even in Southern movies and television serials most actors and actresses are ‘air dropped’ to be fair. Fair dancers, including foreigners are placed at the fore front. Since we have historical connections it is detected that we in Meghalaya too admire Europeans and Americans. In fact, foreigners are affectionately called ‘Phareng’ while other outsiders are ‘degradingly’ called ‘Dkhars’. The Whites might have also been thought to be beyond reproach.
Last year WHO estimated that 7.5 per cent Indians suffer from some mental disorders and predicted the disease could affect up to 20 per cent of the population due to Coronavirus. One survey found that 61% percent of Indians experienced mental-health related issues during the lockdown last year. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data India reported an average 381 deaths by suicide daily (1,39,123 fatalities yearly) in 2019 out of which over 90,000 (67 per cent) were young adults. Last week it was reported that a boy died of suicide due to his parents’ inability to pay school fees. In Meghalaya https://megpolice.gov.in/statistics states that from 2005 to 2018 there were 189 cases of suicide. A few days ago a 90 year old man ended his own life.
There have been increasing reports of suicides in Church/religious circles. The environment might have been made toxic for victims. Despite the rise in suicides among priests and nuns, discussions on the reasons and remedies for them, is lacking. Due to stigma mental health is largely neglected.
Discrimination on the basis of caste, race, colour, religion, region, sexual orientation, mental illness sufferers, etc is omnipresent in India. An attitude of entitlement is also still prevalent. Meghan and Harry speak to us and for us as well!
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