iWitness: Angry rider, Confrontation and Custody

Maldivians and their Constitution – a story from History

Historian T. W. Hockly writes about the historical events that took place on 2^nd October 1934, the necessitated dethronement of the Sultan by the people of Maldives in accordance with Article 51 of the Maldivian Constitution.

“It appears that the Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Farid Didi Effendi, who is also the Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands, was informed that certain persons were convening secret meetings which has as their object the destruction of the New Constitution inaugurated in December 1934.

Warrants were issued for the arrest of four persons in this respect. It was learned from the arrested persons that there were others involved in the plot to destroy the Constitution. It was further alleged that among these others were four servants of Prince Hassan Izzudin, the son of the Sultan. Apparently the Prince had interested himself on behalf of certain individuals who had previously been deported.

When officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs attempted to arrest the four servants of the Prince the later refused to allow their arrest. He is said to have come out with his father, the Sultan, and to have informed the officials and the people gathered together that if the servants were arrested they would have also to arrest the Sultan and himself. It is stated that the Prince then cried out asking whether they wanted the Constitution or his father and himself. The People replied that they wanted the Constitution.

Steps were taken to effect the dethronement of the Sultan.

The ‘Revolution’ was of an entirely bloodless character, I understand, and was not followed by any disorder.”

Awkward Male’ – 10Rf please… actually 20Rf

So it was a random evening, neither late into the night nor that early into the evening. I found myself in one of those many pharmacies right in front of ADK Hospital on Sosun Magu. As I approached the counter, I received the typical foreign pharmacist grin, the mustache wink (you know what I mean), I am not sure whether he is Indian or Bangladeshi, I asked him for a particular tablet, and then someone tapped me on the back.

Turned around in a reflex, stood a young gentleman of average height, mid 20s wouldn’t say 30, bearded but not “Bearded” in you know what fashion. On sight one would observe two distinct features of this gentleman, 1- He seemed in a hurry as if he has to run a marathon, and 2- He was under the influence of some sort of intoxicate.

“Sir, can you please give me 10Rf? I need to get a medicine” he said in a trembling voice.

The foreign pharmacist gave me a serious look and then shook his head in a motion which I am to take as “don’t give”.

“Sir please I only need a 10Rf to get the medicine, please help” he continued.

“I have only got a 100Rf note, I don’t have a separate 10Rf” I told him.

“Why don’t you get change from the pharmacist?” he asked.

Well, frankly I didn’t know what to do. Avoiding this gentleman may be wrong in two possible ways. 1- He might be actually missing a 10Rf to buy the medicine or 2- He might be associated with some sort of gang and/or might as well have a sharp object ready to strike.

Not wanting to take any risks, I asked the pharmacist for a change of 100Rf, I got the change in one 50RF, two 20Rfs and one 10RF, I gave the gentleman the note of 10Rf, and then he says,

“Actually its 20Rf, can you please give me a 20 also?”

“This is all I have, sorry” I walked out as fast as I can.

I spent three years in India and I have met many beggars, I have actually seen the different varieties and classes of beggars India has to offer. Never did I meet someone in the state I found the gentleman in and never did I feel threatened by one.

O_o