THE situation in Hong Kong is novel for most of its citizens as such a form of uprising (or protests) almost seems unheard of or experienced in the bustling business districts of such a city. Even after harsh police action where scores of protesters and apparently police officers were involved in altercations and tear gas diffusion, thousands of protesters refused to leave and continued their demands for a more democratic Hong Kong.Reports say that the government considers such protests unlawful and are gearing up for tougher agitation against the peacefully protesting citizens if they do not retreat to their homes. Considered as one of the biggest challenges to Beijing’s rule of the semi-autonomous city, protesters including students and people from all walks of life shared their disgust at the poor treatment of the situation by the police as regular life seems to be halted in Hong Kong’s busy business district. International newspapers report that the demonstrators are furious over China’s refusal to grant free elections for the city’s next leader in 2017, insisting that it will vet the candidates in a decision that critics brand a ‘fake democracy’.Public anger over rampant inequality is also at its highest in years in a world financial hub once renowned for its stability. The protests, apart from harsh police behaviour, have been largely peaceful as supports of the movement and protesters shared food, water and umbrellas to spent time on raising awareness of the current turmoil with others. According to reports this has had a negative effect on the city’s life in general as crowds blocked key junctions in the busy Causeway Bay and Mongkok shopping districts and thus the transport network was almost at a standstill on Monday, leaving commuters struggling to get to work and forcing many schools and businesses to close.Democracy is the recognition that the country belongs to the people and it is the people’s wish that must be respected in governance of the country. The mainland China should allow democracy to flourish in Hong Kong. This experiment will be helpful for the government of the mainland to know how to make necessary political adjustments within China. The capitalistic economic progress in China has made China a great power. Now it should be ready to accept democratization and the rule of law. It will be a mistake to use force to suppress the wish of the people of Hong Kong to enjoy democracy as they were enjoying under the British rule. Prosperity in Hong Kong shows democracy and economic progress can go together if carefully handled.
