BHAWNA ATMARAM
The origins of ‘Dife dan Lanka’ (Fire in Lanka)
As per the Ramayana, Hanuman the monkey god was sent to Lanka (now known as Sri Lanka) in an attempt to free Sita, Lord Rama’s wife who was taken captive by the demon god Ravana. On reaching Lanka, Hanuman asked to meet Ravana. He told him that he was Lord Rama’s messenger and that he had to release Sita immediately. The arrogant Ravana refused to receive Hanuman properly and did not even give him a seat. Hanuman therefore grew his own tail and used it as his seat. However, his seat was now taller than Ravana’s throne. Enraged, Ravana ordered his henchmen to set fire to Hanuman’s tail. As they did so, Hanuman leapt from building to building, setting fire everywhere. Pretty soon, the whole of Lanka was in flames. Meanwhile Sita was praying to Agni, the God of Fire, so that Hanuman would not be harmed. She refused to follow Hanuman, insisting that it was her husband who had to rescue her. After ensuring in turn that Sita was unscathed, Hanuman dipped his burning tail into the ocean and went back to Lord Rama, who then decided to wage war on Ravana. 
‘Dife dan Lanka’ therefore refers to a situation of great urgency where chaos reigns supreme. It is now one of the most popular expressions used in Mauritius.
Ravana: Symbolising Ego
What is interesting to note is that Ravana was known to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva, one of the powerful deities of the Hindu trinity. He was an excellent warrior, an accomplished musician, a great king, an eminent writer with a keen interest in Ayurvedic medicine and also, he was an august scholar having mastered the Vedas. He had many virtues but his fatal flaw which was arrogance would be his downfall.
Ravana is therefore typical of many topical world and local leaders. He had allowed his ego to take over his rationality and paid the price for it. By refusing to admit to his shortcomings and doing the right thing, he had condemned himself. History is the privileged witness of the toppling of many leaders who rejected humility; Hitler, Stalin, Mugabe, just to name a few.
Sri Lanka is now literally in flames
Currently, Sri Lanka is going through one of its worst economic crises in its existence. It has been riddled with mass protests, food and fuel shortages, national debt, severe foreign exchange deficits and inflation. The Rajapaksa family which is prominent in politics in Sri Lanka is falling from grace, with three members of the clan resigning from their cabinet posts and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stepping down. Only President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is still putting up a fight.
Protesters have attacked the Rajapaksa family’s ancestral home in Hambantota, burning their fleet of expensive cars in the process. Other ruling-party politicians’ homes have been targeted. These video footages have gone viral, as a testimony of the people’ fury. Police have been ordered to shoot at protestors, amidst the unprecedented tide of violence. One could say that the power dynasty is presently burning.
Hot paradise island
What is the outlook for Mauritius? To say that the laypeople are going through a rough patch would be an understatement. Every single day is a struggle, about wading into the unknown, about how to make ends meet. We are at the mercy of a few decision-makers who somehow proclaim themselves to beyond reproach. They are never, ever wrong.
Life has become very difficult in Mauritius. It is not an idyllic life of sea, sun and sand. Bliss has become elusive in hot paradise island. How ironic! No wonder people recently took to the streets in different parts of the country, expressing their embedded bitterness and disenchantment which have been brewing up for years, through private radio stations, newspapers or public protests. The COVID-19 sanitary restrictions are still being stringently applied as a clever bid to prevent people from regrouping and protesting. The local government elections have been postponed till next year, using the same shrewd cover. Our leaders cannot bear discordant voices in their abyss of complacency. They prefer to sleep peacefully like Ravana’s brother Kumbhakarna, who used to sleep for six months and then stay awake for the next six months in order to satiate his hunger. In Mauritius, we have alternate periods of restful sleep followed by manic episodes of daylight looting of public funds, by some pseudo protectors of our democracy and national interests.
Full blast inferno?
The power struggle and dynasty rule are also part and parcel of the Mauritian political reality. Since gaining independence in 1968, the same families or extended family circles have been ruling the country. It is an exclusive club of the rich, powerful and well-connected. This is highly reminiscent of the Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka. Electoral reforms are perpetually the talk of the town but concretely, nothing much is being done. No one wants to disturb Ali Baba’s Cave! It is a game of wait and see.
Will Mauritius be treading on the path of Sri Lanka? We are united in our issues, by the Indian Ocean binding us. The fire from one shore can easily be transported to the other one. Our people are in blazing agony. Each step is marked by doubt, uncertainty for one’s future and for our children’s future. No wonder many are leaving in great numbers for other horizons. They have lost hope in any future prospects. And this is the worst thing. For the common people to lose confidence in those very people who are supposed to sail them to better shores. That is witnessing a full blast inferno in action.