Shiban Khaibri
It seems pretty paradoxical, if not increasingly ludicrous, that our hard earned democracy is feigned to be felt by most of the leaders of opposition parties as being ”murdered” in this country. ”Hatiya” in common language , is purposely used , perhaps, to denote the crux of intensity . It is again quite interesting that with every bout of ”murder of democracy” at the hands of the present dispensation at the centre , it also gets resurrected instantaneously as if having drunk enough nectar but sadly, only again to be felt as murdered . Is this all about what can be termed as compulsive political hallucination ? However, as we see – the cycle of its death and revival , perhaps, is feared to move ”freely” as it gets enough lubrication by such acts of the government which the concerned opposition parties feel, are detrimental to its functioning. The question carrying lot of importance is why and how is this democracy murdered and murdered repeatedly by the Government after the opposition parties do so much of ”hard work” for its revival every day ? Again, we must delve deep into the issue of the exact timing since the process of ”murdering ” started which will be collectively identified by the concerned opposition parties as starting from late May 2014 only . Second part of the question would be whether any such attempts with the “life” of the democracy were deliberately or even innocently made prior to 2014 also.
We know how this issue , very unfortunately , has been brazenly raked up repeatedly even at foreign platforms , perhaps, for conveying the levels of manufactured intensity and the sensitivity of the “status” of our democracy thus ”helping ” those forces and elements abroad which are habitually inimical to the bright and optimistic prospects of this country meriting its claim to a higher pedestal of economic growth and progress and thus an international standing too. Very unfortunately, of late, one more fear mongering is lavishly spun – that of “the constitution of the country being in danger and bound to be altered and changed”. Since being pitiably short on issues to face the general elections which are drawing nearer, coupled with the mood and move of voters in general , and a Balance Sheet accordingly being drawn by such opposition parties , the fear of ”changing” the constitution in addition to the ”gravely endangered democracy” is being spread. Perhaps , through it , the idea of some unique type of liberty deficit is peddled in their own right relating it with democracy or in other words, the liberty and the freedom to do ”anything” is the issue. However, liberty cannot be claimed in the form of freedom from accountability and immunity from being subjected to justice in cases where required under the very constitution and the democratic set up of the country. Liberty – even if hypothetically absolute – requires not only to be enjoyed but preserved as well . For that, very sincerely , a greater knowledge and a greater sense of responsibility have to be with all of us sans any rhetoric built up without a convincing structural base.
For getting some sense or idea about this oft repeated, rather irritatingly stereo typed ”murder of democracy” , we must do a count of all those actions , all those decisions which are loaded with pursuing ends of the betterment of the people and the country. It will be widely acknowledged that in the wisdom of the leaders of these opposition parties , not a single – repeat – not really a single step taken or decision made in the interests of the people and the nation by the present dispensation during nearly the last 10 years, has been acknowledged to be right and much required . No, this government according to their view point , definitely under a peculiar compulsion, has totally failed on all fronts, in all areas and in all ways and, therefore, not done well even in one instance.
Even many daring , long pending , much required decisions taken are pooh poohed as nothing less than rues. Even Direct Transfer Benefit (DBT) scheme which ensures crediting the beneficiary’s Bank account direct from the source in respect of various welfare schemes of the government is just treated as insignificant even if Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi despite enjoying unprecedented majority in Parliament, had openly lamented about only 25 paise of each Rupee , the Government disbursed , reached the beneficiary. Not to speak of the revolutionary movement of “Swatch Bharat Scheme” – cleanliness drive — as a routine habit is not impressing the sworn critics. We are witnessing our roads, lanes and streets immaculately free of any littering as now Municipal vans are collecting garbage etc right from citizens’ doors on daily basis as against its total absence earlier. Even that is not acknowledged let alone appreciated. No wonder, therefore, to check black money in the system, demonetisation of 2016 was termed as ”Organised loot and legalised plunder ” by the Government . Such a certificate was issued by the previous Government known for doing practically nothing in respect of layers of uncertainty that pervaded the economy vis-a-vis implementation of ideas of liberalisation that had started much earlier . Hence , implementation process was quite far from being enthusiastic followed by what was known as ”policy paralysis” but leaving everything aside, presently democracy is ”murdered” and constitution is ”endangered” as it is sought to be “changed” after the general elections according to political soothsayers from the opposition front. Incredible indeed but shocking as well.
Such wilful negativity , perhaps, being an example in itself is not shrouded , wrapped or implied but is all manifest and demonstrative by a well orchestrated rhetoric in respect of not only demonetisation but shockingly even in respect of management of dreaded and devastating Covid pandemic and indigenously made vaccines . Entire world acknowledged this country’s superb management of the waves of the dreaded pandemic and universal vaccination drive but we , here, watched how many of us across the country mocked, ridiculed, trivialised and even negated the great efforts of the Government which however never claimed any credit which undoubtedly goes to our scientists, medical personnel, police and municipal staff. Should no credit be given to the government for hunting opportunities amidst adversities for toiling towards self reliance ? Agreed, neither demonetisation was hundred percent rewarding nor Covid management (especially the horrifying 2nd wave) free of shortcomings but neither was so much hopeless so as to be calling for the unwarranted virus of scepticism , suspicion and gloom to be spread ? Who gets benefitted except in the form of very short term electoral gains which again are loaded with susceptibility and vulnerability of various hues bringing in wake all gains lost , shortly.
Should it not be felt that those politicians who are accused of having indulged in corruption and other unfair means be dealt with as per the law of the land? Else should rules, laws , convictions, jails, punishments etc be only for ordinary citizens and not for those who occupy political space ? How many times were protest marches organised , black dresses worn , public meetings held , token one day fast kept etc for those ordinary citizens accused of corruption and other offences , booked by agencies and facing court trials ? If not why and if only for politicians , again big why? If those agencies which have been set up years ago under a constitutional framework and mandated to find, raid, investigate, summon, and cause the accused to be arrested for facing court trials be questioned and even repeatedly be attacked at certain places? If Income Tax Department raids seize over Rs.300 crore in cash stashed in huge boxes, trunks, cupboards etc from a person belonging to a political party, is democracy endangered and agencies “used” by the Government?
What argument is it about ”timing”’ of such actions as is pitched in loud voices – election time, campaigning time – etc? If a crime is noticed or reported to having been committed during election time , examination time, festival time etc, should no action be taken or the same deferred indefinitely ? Corruption is an issue both for the ruling dispensation as well as for those suspected of it from the opposition parties . What meaning or message does the protest marches and joint voices of ”solidarity” carry in respect of those booked under various clauses of corruption ? Our judicial system is vibrant and dispensing justice only on grounds of facts and proofs , so why to fear and why so much of hullabaloo ? If not now but decidedly in the very near future, people of this country have resolutely to decide whether to support even remotely, a corrupt leader or politically ignore him or her . Supporting in any form a corrupt political leader means vouching for legalising corruption. Let us choose honest, sincere, trust worthy and hard working candidates belonging to any political thought or political party.
On the other hand, the malady of packages of freebies and largesse too must not be encouraged. Freebies tend to weaken the beneficiary rendering one to become inactive and indolent . Freebies ,for winning elections , however, continue to be lavishly promised by those out of power and even to a larger extent by those in power, which in a way , also mean corruption as it is an inducement and allurement to vote in a direction promising more of free Bijli, free Paani, free ration, free travel, monthly payments in cash, waiver of loans, more subsidies, nil or nominal taxes , laptops, mobile phones and the list is long. Should the issue of corruption not rattle the extent of love in those who follow corrupt politicians and their parties and keep voting for them despite knowing how ill gotten money amassed by the corrupt , in fact, belonged to the general public? Therefore, logic says that neither democracy is in danger , not even in least nor the constitution . Our democracy is gaining strength day by day and our constitution too by every passing day is becoming more and more respectable, impregnable and vigorous in guiding us towards good governance, peace, progress and prosperity .
Follow our WhatsApp channel
