Fate of Democracy!!!
In a country like India, where rural population outnumbers urban population and where rural folks are purposefully kept ignorant by politicians to suit their whims, can we hope that Democracy will still deliver in India???
It will thrive only if the rural India becomes intelligent enough to see beyond the fancy words of big talking politicians.
Take the case of Elections in Tamil Nadu. It was a freebie mela announced by all parties hankering for power. One party says free gas stove for the poor. Fine. Who will pay for the price of Gas Cylinder refills. Free Color TV's. Who will pay for the electricity consumed by the TV? Now, if you look closely, these are targeted towards people who fall below line of poverty. Instead of thinking about schemes to make them self sustaining, all they come up with are these that will always keep them where they are. At the mercy of the Politicians and eagerly waiting the freebies to be announced next.
Instead of striving to create citizens with backbone, political parties are competing with each other to step on the backbone and crumple it.
Now, take the case of reservation. It had very noble beginnings. To provide for the upliftment of the deprived. The results are there for all to see. At least at the surface level, in any profession, there is very good representation of the deprived classes. Now, to continue this for ever and to increase the reservation quota is atrocious.
In Modern India, more than the caste, the distinction is broadly on the haves and have-nots. This spread is prevalent equally among various sects/classes/castes. So, reservation, blindly on one's caste would not serve the purpose. It would lead to monopolisation of opportunities by the "haves" to further benefit their cause and not allowing the real benefit of the reservation to reach the "have-nots". Let us take this example. If, kith if Lalu, the Railway Minister, and son of a poor farmer in a remote village of Bihar are competing for a job (Lalu's progenies do not need to work for next 10 generations. That is a different story(sic)). Who is most likely to succeed? Undoubtedly, it is the kin of lalu because he would be well informed about the job, about the reservation quota, well connected and resourceful.
Ofcourse, Lalu himself would claim that he was in the same position as the poor farmers son now and was able to progress because of reservation. Agreeed. That is why I said in the beginning, reservation was the right solution based on the situation that prevailed in India 25 years ago. A lot of things in India have changed since. So, even reservation should also be seen with a different viewpoint. This would enable India to emerge stronger and vibrant. After all, that is what Politicians say, atleast superficially.
Will they do it? Will we see our rulers stand by what Abraham Lincoln said
"Government For the People, By the People and of the People" and start working with genuine concern for the people and their development?
Deep in my heart, I wish so and wish it happens soon.
Whatever said, Sarey Jahaan se Acha... Hindustan Hamara.
