Last few days have been traumatic for any sensitive Indian – a religious leader is in jail, political leaders at the highest levels are in the dock for allegations ranging from cheating poor depositors of their lifelong savings to gross misuse of state power, a top investigative journalist is admitted to have committed the worst form of criminal act and against whom – the closet friend of his daughter who also happened to be his friend’s daughter and a junior colleague in the office, a law intern has alleged a similar instance of misconduct against someone we all look up to when we are in extreme distress, similar complaints have been lodged against two top bureaucrats, and finally, the sting against our new crusaders who had vowed to cleanse the system and the brazenness with which they have dismissed the sting- with each passing day, they are looking more and more like the parties they have all along been abusing with choicest epithets. As if this was not enough, the utterances of our leaders during their electioneering have only added to the sense of gloom- symbolism and name calling have eclipsed new ideas, idealism, bold dreams and promise & hopes for the future. The manifestos released by the 150 year old Grand Old party and also the one year old party is couched in the same old language of free power and free water. With great fanfare, two leading political parties honoured controversial figures accused of serious offences (we don’t know- they may be innocent and may ultimately be acquitted). The grand old party continues to be in a state of paralysis - they can’t go beyond recalling the sacrifices made by one family and showcasing the same old welfare schemes which have miserably failed to make any dent into the problems India faces. The cynical India is becoming more cynical. Majority of people I have talked to recently are more inclined to press NOTA. How beautiful democracy looks in theory but democracy in action? It is a picture in contrast - so ugly. But is it a reflection on democracy as a concept or as a form of Government or is it a reflection on us – we the people? Is NOTA the right option? Will it force the political parties out of their stupor? Will a credible option ultimately come out of No Option? Or will a majority of NOTA mean declaration of ot open acceptance of failure of democracy and, therefore, sanctify what a section of our people has been saying to justify armed rebellion? Difficult Options! The answer could be – a bit of all of these or possibly none of the above.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 06:45:10 +0000
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