We have just had elections in 5 states and every South Indian knows what 'Poriborthon' means by now. Thanks to Didi, who not only won a land slide victory over 34 year old Communist rule in West Bengal, but also drawing comparisons with the fall of the USSR. and the fall of Communism. In Tamil Nadu, it was business as usual. The incumbent government was out and the opposition took its place. I want to talk about these two states in particular, because these wins were significant to the future of the states.
Both the then Incumbent governments in these states were becoming monsters which were ruthless in their actions as long as their objective was achieved. They never really cared about what the people who elected them wanted.In the case of West Bengal, the govt was politely going about their business by arming their party carders, whom the Home Minister eloquently put as 'Harmad'. In Tamil Nadu, it was family politics. The state was split into regions and was taken control by the various heirs of the Chief Minister. It was becoming totally intolerable. It was my way or the high way. In this case, the high way was the direct route to hell or heaven, where ever you are destined to go.
People couldn't publicly show their dissatisfaction, and hence a silent wave was being built up.The various scams that were exposed gave momentum to the rolling stone giving it lots of mass and speed to steam roll the opposition. Elections came and a clear mandate was given by the people. Both the partys were pummeled. So much so that DMK were not even the major opposition party and CPM were totally confused on whom to appoint as the opposition leader as no senior party leader won (The Chief minister lost by 25k votes to a first time contestant!!!). The unsung hero was the Election Commission of India which conducted the election with great elan.
This is where the importance of a beautiful tool called Democracy comes into picture. People have the power to change the government, but the pressing point is, are there better choices? In Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha won not because she was the messiah, but because she was the only other alternative. Same is the case everywhere in India not only in the states, but also in the center. So how do you protect yourself? speak up when you are being oppressed? pinpoint if something is not right? Well history told us what to do.
The most peaceful way of protest had resurfaced. The Satyagraha.First it was Anna Hazare and now it is Baba Ramdev.Their agenda is very laudable but is their means laudable? Does that mean anybody and everybody who wants something can go on a fast and get his things done?
But how to you put things across, when the government you have elected is not bothered about you? These are very important questions that have to be answered. I strongly believe in Rationality and the Ayn Rand quote which says "When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit." comes to my mind.
We might be the world's largest democracy, but we are also a young democracy, which has made about 95 odd amendments to its Constitution and is still in the process of stabilising it. Majority of us don't know the power that the constitution has vested upon us. We are learning and we are evolving and an evolution will only mean the survival of the fittest. The fittest should be decided by means of rationality and not by anything else, which will give us a clear picture of what is right and what is wrong.
Let rationality prevail
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