The results of the state Assembly elections of five states proved that the divided opposition is no match for the dynamic BJP election-targeted machine led by hero worshipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has cautioned that social media may have a disastrous effect on elections and governance.
“Merely because a body is elected does not ensure that it acts in the best interest of all those it governs. For all citizens to feel free in a democracy, the state must side with the weaker population which may be a numerical or a social minority. Dissent emerges not from thin air but from a democratic culture of fierce debate”, he stated.
Election is only one aspect of democracy. Dissent ensures latitude and security to those who strongly and annoyingly differ from others in maters that touch the heart of the existing order. Our Constitution ensures freedom of speech.
To suppress free speech is doubly wrong for it violates the right of the listener as well as the speaker. Whilst it may be true that corruption may be rampant, the ruling party employs every enforcement agency and means to expose corruption mainly in the opposition parties.
Bhakti in religion maybe a road to salvation, but in politics Bhakti or hero worship is a sure road to eventual dictatorship. We live in a world where it seems perfectly normal to betray even one’s own kin for success.
The plain fact is that this planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peace makers, healers, storytellers and lovers of every kind. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make this world habitable and humane for everyone and this has little to do with success as we define it.
Our political system has deteriorated to such an extent that winning elections by hook or by crook has superseded every aspect of democratic governance. The electorate must be able to make election choices free from competing freebees, threat of coercion or prejudices with truth, honesty and integrity.
Law and order and justice needs be implemented free from political party’s protection, partisan positions and ideologies. Be you so high or low, the law is the same for everyone. When factors like caste, religion, power and money decide, winnable candidates even with criminal records are chosen and get elected; we the people are at fault.
Democracy does require a strong opposition, since elected representatives decide the future direction of our country, society and our lives. We have a ruling party in the majority that believes the soul of India is Hindutva not strictly Hindu and everyone must bow to their customs and beliefs imposed with bulldozed legislation and force. Anyone who dissents is anti- Hindu.
The much admired soul of India lay in unity in diversity, non-violence and belief that the world is one family. This is drowned in the cacophony of unruly Parliament and dominance of our openly communal ruling party with no worthy opposition to grace our temples of democracy.
The prime minister of India is the face of the party for every state or national election. Politics is most unfair, with no level playing field and full of antagonism. Name calling, hate speeches, violence are the order of the day and courts full of defamation and even criminal cases resulting. All is fair in politics and war?
The result is dirty politics where we trust candidates who don’t trust each other being whisked to resorts sometimes in other states to prevent poaching, elected representative jumping parties, speakers sitting on disqualification petitions, big money bribery and rampant corruption. There are two national parties, and the ruling party trying to wipe out any opposition.
Governance, justice, law and order suffer. Laws are brought in for the wrong reasons to fix or nix opposition. Priorities are wrongly chosen based on extraneous factors, public funds wrongly/prejudicially used, and the overruled divided opposition has no option but to walk out or be bulldozed with brute majority in Parliament. The bickering among the INDIA alliance is shameful and certainly not in their or the nation's larger interest as elections have just proven.
Agitations and peaceful demonstrations by the people are unsuccessful or turn violent and so it is only in free and fair elections that we the people must honestly stand up to be counted.
The Goa government requires to be exhibiting more democracy with public safety prevention better than cure attitude, caring more for nature, flora and fauna whilst considering depletion of natural resources and habitat destruction.
We seem to be fast turning Goa into a concrete, polluted jungle like Delhi/Mumbai. Religion, caste, greed, corruption, poaching, bribery, etc. are rampant in our elections with the communal angle gaining strength.
Do we desire decisions regarding Goa to be made in Delhi? Where is Goemkarponn and isn’t it high time we heed nature's warnings as there is accountability with no short cuts to sustainable development?
