Politics in India

 

I do not profess to be an expert on politics- miles from that – in fact, I am not politically inclined and do not have a favourite party or politician etc. Just a common man with a few thoughts on his mind.   

So, before you start casting aspersions ….

I entreat you to please read the above lines again.

 

Cam across  some news this morning and that got me thinking – a very simple thought and no rocket science.

India is the world’s biggest democracy and despite the unity in diversity, there have been and still are various issues from time to time – and that is expected and often, we are all to blame. However, is it as vibrant as it should be? Is it balanced? Do we have a strong party at the centre with a worthy opposition, ready and able to challenge them, and keep them on their toes?  

The answer according to me is a vehement NO. I could be wrong.

 Now, while we all talk about a multi-party system( Read Democracy)  flourishing in India, if you observe very carefully, it looks more like a one-party system today, with no opposition actually being able to make its presence felt.

 With different parties pulling in different directions, economic progress often suffers, and any meaningful social welfare remains a dream. Coalition governments just do not work – nor do different parties at the centre and state - let’s understand and appreciate the fact that you can’t  have lions and sheep in the same cage and hope all will be well!

The current population of India is approximately 1.4 Billion. Now that is a very large figure indeed and hence pitfalls are innumerable and once again expected .  

As per the latest publication from the Election Commission of India, the total number of political parties registered was 2698, with 8 national parties & 52 state parties. The remaining, are unrecognized parties with a few thousand supporters each. Mindboggling to say the least.

However, what is very odd is the fact there seem to be just a handful of nationally known leaders spread across these parties.

Some of them were together in the same party and are now sworn enemies, while others were sworn enemies who are now strange bedfellows. Some jump parties at the drop of a hat and are known opportunists, while others try to keep themselves afloat by hook or by crook- legs in two boats and all that jazz!

Money plays a big role and definitely “makes the mare go” – But isn’t that politics?  

Stay with me here and permit me to do a further breakdown of that motley crew of about fifteen in number.

Some are well past their prime, others are more local than national in stature, some have proved themselves to be incompetent and a few do not seem to be sufficiently motivated or keen to take on bigger roles. The remaining few are not trusted by the minorities for whatever reason.

 Lastly , some have cases pending against them/ are not sufficiently educated or experienced.

All probably honourable men no doubt, so do not get me wrong- I am not pointing any fingers.

So where does that leave us, the common citizens and the country as a whole ?  

  Is there nobody worth his or her salt who is ready to stand up and say, “Count me in” Where are the intelligent, motivated, inspirational, reliable political leaders who we can trust to take our country forward? Have they been put to pasture or have they flown the nest?

As I see it, and as millions see it at the present moment  – there is very little choice, and that does not auger well for the citizens.

Some historians have suggested that two-party systems promote centrism, and encourage political parties to find common positions, which appeal to wide swaths of the electorate. It can lead to political stability which leads, in turn, to economic growth. Two of the world’s best-known democracies, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have two party systems. The UK has Labor and Tories, the USA has Republicans and Democrats.So, why do we have so many parties in India? Can we not have a think tank to overhaul the entire system?

I do not know, but I am sure there are so many intelligent friends and colleagues out there who would have great ideas and thoughts to share

(This is a bit of a contentious topic so polite comments will be appreciated please- don’t let yourself down by being nasty  )

Hobson's choice for sure

 

Here are some of the choices most people back home in India, are being forced to make and some of the thoughts on their mind.

1.       Do they go to a centre and try and get the first or second dose of the vaccine – wait in line for hours, and then probably return without receiving the same but infected with Covid instead, or just stay home and wait till things improve, and at times risk missing a second dose?

 

2.       When they feel they have contracted Covid – do they start diagnosing & treating themselves as hospitals and doctors are scarce or run from pillar to post to find elusive medical care?

 

 

3.        Do hospitals use ambulances to take sick people to hospital or dead people to be cremated?

 

4.       Do you venture out of the house and go to work to earn a livelihood or stay at home and starve?

 

 

5.        Do migrants try and go back to their villages or stay in the cities and wait it out – where will they suffer more?

 

6.       Above all, will they make it home at all, or will the journey take its toll?

 

 

7.       Do hospitals keep taking in patients knowing fully well that they are running short on supplies or do they shut their gates and doors & turn them away? – a moral dilemma indeed.

 

8.       If you do manage to find a bed in some vague hospital or clinic, do you admit your loved one there and leave him/ her to the mercy of strangers or sit outside among the dead and the dying and just pray that some form of treatment is being administered inside?

 

 

9.       What do you make of the newspapers and TV channels – is what you read and see the truth, half-truth, or a complete eyewash?

 

10.   Who or what caused this horrible catastrophe -   The Kumbh Mela, the Elections, Festival celebrations ,  the Carelessness of the people, the Massive Indian population, the State governments, General carelessness of all concerned, an ill prepared Government, a mix and match of the above , all of the above?

 

 

11.   If we are voting right now – who do, we vote for?

 

12.    Is it even worth casting a vote for any politician or party- all of whom seem to have no clue whatsoever, as to the way forward out of this quagmire with the blame game taking precedence ?

13.   There are just a few major parties in India – its either the devil or the deep blue sea – I guess that’s the BIGGEST DILEMA of all, as one is probably as bad, if not worse that the other- I find them all rather unreliable, a trifle inefficient & quite incompetent   

 

Hobson’s choice indeed in most of the above scenarios and that’s the sad part

 

I came across a new word this morning – KAKISTOCRACY – Not going to share the meaning – check it out if you are a logophile. (You may want to check Logophile too, as you are about it )

It sure got me thinking!

Hobson's choice for sure

 

Here are some of the choices most people back home in India, are being forced to make and some of the thoughts on their mind.

1.       Do they go to a centre and try and get the first or second dose of the vaccine – wait in line for hours, and then probably return without receiving the same but infected with Covid instead, or just stay home and wait till things improve, and at times risk missing a second dose?

 

2.       When they feel they have contracted Covid – do they start diagnosing & treating themselves as hospitals and doctors are scarce or run from pillar to post to find elusive medical care?

 

 

3.        Do hospitals use ambulances to take sick people to hospital or dead people to be cremated?

 

4.       Do you venture out of the house and go to work to earn a livelihood or stay at home and starve?

 

 

5.        Do migrants try and go back to their villages or stay in the cities and wait it out – where will they suffer more?

 

6.       Above all, will they make it home at all, or will the journey take its toll?

 

 

7.       Do hospitals keep taking in patients knowing fully well that they are running short on supplies or do they shut their gates and doors & turn them away? – a moral dilemma indeed.

 

8.       If you do manage to find a bed in some vague hospital or clinic, do you admit your loved one there and leave him/ her to the mercy of strangers or sit outside among the dead and the dying and just pray that some form of treatment is being administered inside?

 

 

9.       What do you make of the newspapers and TV channels – is what you read and see the truth, half-truth, or a complete eyewash?

 

10.   Who or what caused this horrible catastrophe -   The Kumbh Mela, the Elections, Festival celebrations ,  the Carelessness of the people, the Massive Indian population, the State governments, General carelessness of all concerned, an ill prepared Government, a mix and match of the above , all of the above?

 

 

11.   If we are voting right now – who do, we vote for?

 

12.    Is it even worth casting a vote for any politician or party- all of whom seem to have no clue whatsoever, as to the way forward out of this quagmire with the blame game taking precedence ?

13.   There are just a few major parties in India – its either the devil or the deep blue sea – I guess that’s the BIGGEST DILEMA of all, as one is probably as bad, if not worse that the other- I find them all rather unreliable, a trifle inefficient & quite incompetent   

 

Hobson’s choice indeed in most of the above scenarios and that’s the sad part

 

I came across a new word this morning – KAKISTOCRACY – Not going to share the meaning – check it out if you are a logophile. (You may want to check Logophile too, as you are about it )

It sure got me thinking!

They are all HONOURABLE MEN

 THIS IS PURELY A WORK OF FICTION

(Names, characters, references, events and incidents are also the products of the author's imagination.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author has no political inclinations or affiliations either .

He believes that most ( NOT ALL ) politicians are like a bunch of bananas – they all hang together and are often rotten at the core.)

Friends, Indians, countrymen, lend me your ears.

I doth not cometh to buryeth anyone n'r praise those folk

(But I have a few pertinent thoughts on my mind).

The evil that men do lives after them.

The good is oft interred with their bones

But some deeds shall nev'r beest f'rgotten

So will it be, in my beloved India.

Some politicians hath told us.

That a few of their colleagues are very ambitious.

If it is so, it is a grievous fault,

And grievously shall those gents answ'r it

Here, under leave of all Indian citizens and the rest–

For there are so many honourable men

Come I to state a few facts.

Not necessarily about anyone in particular

So prithee, doth not accuse me

Or leaveth, a nasty comment

Because then I may be compelled to block you !

The common man says that ‘he’ is ambitious.

Is that so? – I heard that ‘he’ is an Hounorable man ?

He hath received your votes and applause.

But I am not sure whose coffers are now being filled

Does this in ‘him’ seem ambitious?

I am not sure what to believeth.

What doth thee bethink?

When the poor have cried, he hath wept: Seriously!

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:

Yet some politicians say ‘he’ is ambitious.

Now, most politicians as we now

Are such honourable men themselves!

One does not know who or what to believe any longer.

You all did see and hear that he speaketh so well.

Some calleth that gent a valorous act'r too

All excellent qualities of leadership!

But who are we commoners to judge?

Do you remember?

He was once presented with a kingly crown,

Which he did not refuse: was this ambition?

Coming to think of it now it looked like it

But then again- I am not too sure.

Yet politicians say “he” is ambitious.

And politicians are such honourable men.

(all over the world, aren’t they?)

I speak not to disprove what people speak,

But here I am to speak what I do know.

You all did love him once, not without cause:

What cause withholds you now, to call a spade a spade?

O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;

My heart is in the coffins with the millions who are passing on

And I must pause till it come back to me.

( With respects to the bard of Avon for attempting to distort good Literature)

(Mark Antony – Julius Caesar)

Like

Comment

Share

0 comments

Active

Write a comment…

Active

Mervin Joel

1hutSponhsmored  ·