My younger brother, now in grade six, was reading his Social Science book. I was in my room and I could hear my mum telling him about democracy, a new concept to him. I remembered my school days when I first read of democracy, the best form of governance, for the people, by the people and of the people,as Lincoln said. Soon it was told to me that India was democratic, and I was showered with questions. How? Why? What?! I knew that in India people were the rulers, and that they voted to elect their leaders. I had once, with my father gone to a polling booth and there I had seen the actual voting in process. Those questions, how gradually they were answered as I moved on to class ten.
These memories were flashing before me when I heard my mum telling my bro..
We have various political parties in India. One rules and others take care that it rules properly. There are various people connected to these parties, the volunteers, they tell the ruling party about the problems of the people. Thus the people live in harmony. Togetherness, sovereignty and equality are the basic ideals of democracy.
I again fell into the thought process, which had started long back in sixth. I wished it was true, that the true democracy was practiced in India. India meant to be very different than what it actually is today. Our democracy is the largest in the world, but is it the strongest? We overwhelm of our governmental structure, but we do not know that we can have a still better one.
Today we see in India how politics is being 'played'. It has literally become a skillful game, which is supposed to be a part of very few's cup of tea. I remember a TV news show, where an interviewer was questioning Mr. Sanjay Nirupam. The hot topic then was the political entry of the yoga guru, Ramdev Baba. He had opened up the issues of black money and many other flaws in the Indian governance. Baba had talked of entering the politics during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. On this, Mr. Nirupam had said something that moved me, rather enraged me. When he was asked to comment on this, he said
"I mainly want to say just one thing. Ramdev Baba is doing very good in spreading awareness about Yoga and I wish he should continue with the same. There's no need for him to enter politics, he's good in Yoga, we will handle politics ourselves."
His this attitude was perfectly questionable and I strongly felt of questioning Mr. Nirupam there-itself. But it wasn't possible. The show ended and my thoughts began. How could Mr. Nirupam say such a thing? How can he suggest or in a sense order someone whether to enter the politics or not? I was taught that one over 25 years of age and following certain conditions was welcomed to be a candidate. What I saw was a complete contrast!
Another example, which sets up a good example of ruined politics, is the use of religious or sectional sentiments for campaigning. A very comic situation is observed when some monument or an infrastructure has to be named. Various political parties debate ferociously over the name to be given. I find the most exemplary one, the Republican Party of India. There have been many issues where they have fought violently over naming railway stations, bridges, monuments after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. I respect their devotion towards Dr. Ambedkar. He was a great man, his Bharat Ratna title itself speaks everything. But this kind of fanaticism is not approved in a Democracy. Try to spread his greatness through great works, not by fighting for his name for monuments. Friends, remember what Mahatma Gandhi said?
I do not wish to be portrayed as pictures or idols on the walls or at the intersection. I would rather love to be in the minds of the people, my ideas be followed and what I dreamt be your dream.
That is what, I trully believe would have been the same with Dr, Ambedkar. None wants his photos or idols as a posthumous reward, but his ideas and thoughts. We sometimes tend to fall prey to these tempting ideologies of the political parties. We need to control our mind and remember some of the Civics that we learned when we were at the school. Youngmen! It is we who can change the face of politics..its still on its infant but dirty state in India. Lets make it mature, then will be the politics, the real Governance.
