No doubt there is democracy in
India. Such thing can be proved many times over with prominent incidents – a
most prominent leader losing an election, a Prime Minister getting disqualified
by Courts for the allegation over tampered election, an independent legislator
becoming Chief Minister and a tea maker becoming Prime Minister. But the
quality of democracy we are enjoying is menial compared to what is promised and
what is expected. Remember! Indian democracy is not fully representative! You need
just one more elector than the second placed candidate to enter the house of
law makers.
The most important thing people
expect is that their voice should be heard to the person who is sitting at the
top on behalf of them. But that remains a distant dream with sporadic incidents
of democracy thanks to the public, court and the media. MPs expecting bribe to
raise his people’s voice inside the Parliament is an utter shame to our
democracy. Biased media, corrupt judges and bureaucrats are deterring the reach
of democracy. Common people should be hold equally responsible for being in a
state of ignorance and self-centred.
Political parties are existing in
this land because of democratic style of constitution. Yet, one must ponder
over the same when it comes to intra-party democracy. Raise an alternative view;
sure you would get cornered or expelled from the party. This is the state of
all political parties in India. Even Sadder is the fact that many parties don’t
find leaders outside certain families. From national parties to regional
parties, leaders are no indifferent to nepotism. It is absurd that leaders have
failed to cultivate leadership outside their families, a failure they are
always reluctant to accept.
Our style of elections is equally
contributing in cultivating examples of menial democracy. A candidate who had
failed to win an election to House of Commons can still hover over and rule the
same people who had no confidence in him – thanks to democracy and House of
Elders! More sorrow is the fact that Prime Ministerial and Chief Ministerial
candidates are allowed to contest in more than one constituency. Why such
fearful and power thirsty are allowed is a question I ask myself over and over!
Another comic act is that, people representatives (MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and Mayors)
are allowed to contest in elections without tendering their resignation letter.
Shouldn’t they get auto-disqualified over their application for second
representation?
To attain the top post in India,
except for family businesses and politics, you are expected of experience. Without
having the experience of governing a district, or a state you can govern the
whole country. There is no sequence of promotions to the top job. More bizarre
is people have no or very little say about the person who is going to be a PM
or a CM. A person who lost elections, without getting elected can still become
PM or CM. All he/she need is the required number of representatives in the
pocket.
Most importantly, what is the
purpose of barring people only for certain period from contesting after getting
convicted of criminal charges? Why can’t we bar them for life? When they are
given preferences in all aspects of life, Shouldn’t the politicians, judges,
police and bureaucrats be given twice the amount of punishment reserved for
common? Shouldn’t the government confiscate all their extra constitutionally
acquired properties and properties worth one time over as penalties?
In spite of such other questions
and ponderings, I am proud to be called an Indian and happy to be a person
enjoying the degree of democracy of the land. It is said that “One shall get
what oneself deserves”! Shouldn’t we deserve more for being Indians? Hoping for
more!
