15th August, 1947. Exactly 68 years ago, India was granted freedom. (I purposely didn't use the word 'achieve') World War 2 was just closing the door, Britain was bankrupt, huge economic and financial losses were suffered. Absolutely, they didn't have any choice but to leave the colonies and return back to the UK. Also, cannot underestimate the fact that Congress leadership in India was finding it's base and intellectuals in the truest sense. Anyway, my blog today isn't about the pre-Independence 'struggle' or anything of that sought. That I would rather leave to the newly introduced history textbooks for the school going kids by the RSS. (Govt of India)
I am here to talk about the niches in our democracy. According to me, the successful working of parliamentary democracy depends on two factors:
#1 : On a broad measure of agreement among all classes of citizens about the objective of government.
#2 : On the existence of a two party system, in which each of the big political groups posses effective and continuous leadership and is strong enough to take over the responsibilities of government when majority of the country's voters wish it.
Unfortunately in our country, there's no solid leadership with Intellectual minds nor is the opposition doing anything except for breaking parliament norms.
Well, even after 68 years of Independence, have we really achieved the essence and purity of democracy? I'm afraid, the answer would be 'No'. I'm not only complaining, like generally people do. But I'm worried. I'm worried looking at the poor in the country, I'm worried looking at the polarisation in our country, I'm worried about the growing financial lobbies of the government which are compressing the working and the lower class, I'm worried looking at the illiteracy of the people, I'm worried about the lowering moral values in our country, I'm worried looking at our leadership, I'm also worried about the minorities. We (who consider ourselves to be among the civilised section of the society) need to look beyond. We need to look beyond the boundaries of the cities and peep into the country side and realise how unfortunate some people are. We need to look beyond the first A/C and enter the general boogie just to understand how people travel on a littered floor from Mumbai to Delhi. These are just petty examples which I gave. The condition of our country is far worse than it seems. The rich is getting wealthier and the poor is getting compressed. And without any afterthought, I would blame the current and the previous governments for this situation in the country.
Well, these were some very common and cliché issues which I spoke about. Generally everyone knows about them. But that's what the tendency of the nation has become like. People just don't like to read, watch what they don't like and hence 'Abki baar, Modi Sarkaar'. I'd rather say that there's no room left for individual thinking, forget intellectual thinking. Just simple individual thinking. People are afraid to go against the public opinion. A few days ago, I wrote an article about the Prejudice people have about certain people from certain communities. I still stand firm on that point of mine. Why are the people afraid? 'Fear' is a big emotion. An emotion which is also used to manufacture terrorist by some. Okay, forget about it! Are we idiots? Why do we always have to fall prey to certain negative thoughts and ideologies. For example : Sanjay Raut (Editor of the newspaper 'Saamna') gave an opinion saying that the voting right of the Muslims in India should be reconsidered and should not be allowed to vote. Interestingly, he stated this just before the Aurangabad local elections. What happened after this statement is, the Muslim votes eventually went to the MIM and remaining Hindu votes to BJP-Sena. The sensible ones went to the Congress. (Doesn't mean the Congress is sensible) Shockingly, the sensible voters were hardly 3-4% in total. Others just got polarised and influenced due to a statement by umm.. probably an editor. This shows how immature the voters in our country are. Well, does the question of illiteracy arise here? NO! The elections were in Aurangabad city when we have a class of 'educated' people. I very clearly think that the problem lies in the cities rather than in the villages. (I'm talking about the polarisation and the increasing gap between the communities) But that's another issue which I would be coming to very soon.
As per me, the only way to tackle most of the problems is by having a country where people are educated and literate. Literacy doesn't arrives by completing a degree or Ph.d, but it comes from the inner self. Why are we going back in the 19th century again? Why is that so that even after 68 years of Independence, our government fails to provide bread for 100% population of the nation. Today on this beautiful morning of 15th August, I was near the Mantralay (Maharashtra state, Mumbai) due to some reason. Got to see the police and army forces that were providing security to the ceremony at Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralay. Felt really proud to see such good quality police force. But then, when I was sipping Mumbai's famous 'cutting chaai' two small kids came to me selling flags. I scarcely think that they would have good parents to nurture them and look after them. It was so touching to see the kids in such a disgusting way! (I should not go deep in this matter as most of us know the dark background behind such cases)
I'm not saying India is lacking way behind in comparison to the other countries. Yes, we are a progressing country and doing great in various fields! Today's Indian is everywhere around the world. We are matching many countries in almost all departments. But the fact that the common man is still surviving democracy even after 68 years of Independence is a big concern. Our country is built on beliefs, it is and will remain strong forever. Wishing you all a very happy Independence Day and hoping that we all strive for the betterment of the nation and become responsible citizens of India.
"Jo Mann se nahi wo bhagwaan kaisaa..
Aur jo Dill se nahi wo Hinsutaan kaisa... "
