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Monday, May 14, 2012

Is Dictatorship Way Forward?

All around the world, dictator governments are being thrown up. There are revolts wherever there is dictatorship and people are not ready to accept any dictator's rule. Look at Egypt or Syria, revolutions against the rule succeeded, while there are muted voices in other countries as well. Then it left me wondering, why am I writing this article, especially if you consider I am living in the one of the largest democracies of this world. 


There is a reason for it. I do agree that in autocratic rule, common man does not feel as secure or free as those living in democracies do. I really am not countering it. But if you look at  India, the freedom and power to power hungry politicians is so much that they are selling the country and its resources like anything and still can afford to relax in the parliament. At the time constitution was drafted, all these power was just to make sure that those who are elected by "WE, THE PEOPLE" can deliver their duties without any fear. 


We are still following a Constitution which is 60 years old. At the time it was drafted, it was the best thing that could have happened to it. But what our senior politicians missed was setting an expiry date to it. No one thought that as India will progress, there will be changes needed to this democratic tool. No one could foresee what this will lead to. Ultimately, even after 60 years of reservations and with majority in minority now, we are still dragging it. Politics is only for the uneducated ones. Usually those who fail in education make the laws to run a country which aspires itself to become a economic superpower.


These power mongers just want to make cash for themselves without having an iota of responsibility. For them, the motto is, make cash in five years at power and live merrier till afterlife. Just hoard the money for self betterment. Let the common man take care of himself, as this is a "democracy". That is why i wonder that at least dictator has a sense of responsibility because of the fact that he/she owns the country. And rarely one damages his/her own house.


I know this is a very silly thought and stupidest of ideas that could come to someone's mind, but the apathy by government is making a mockery of our democracy. Need a change in constitution, and only then our democracy will be saved.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Jan Lokpal Bill

Just the other day, on lunch table, we were having discussion on Anna Hazare movement and where it stands today. We all were amazed with the way Congress has tackled this movement and almost have made this a non-issue. At the same time around last year, this movement was gathering so much popularity and support that it looked that Congress day's at power are numbered. There was so much talk about corruption and how a common man is suffering with it. Even Prime Mignister of India had to bow to Anna. Any news on Anna was a front-page headline.

A year on, and this movement has been relegated to corners on Page 8 or somewhere. Congress has completely isolated Anna with its political tactics. BJP also could not do anything. Part of the blame also lies with Anna and BJP. Anna tried to avoid linking with BJP or RSS for fear of communal tag and BJP can never satisfy itself that it is not a communal party anymore.

No offense to Annaji or his team, but they ridiculed every tool which was available for getting this Jan Lokpal bill a reality. I feel that they jumped the gun when they rubbished Parliament's authority and supremacy. Parliament has enough powers, but when the constitution was drafted, it was not envisioned that too much of power can lead to it making a mockery of Constitution itself.

Having a separate authority or a headmaster is not the way to get this sorted out. It is for sure that same authority will become more corrupt when loaded with absolute power. What we need is to have accountability and strict selection criteria for Members of Parliament. We have reservation in education for so many decades, so why we cannot have educated leaders from all castes. When we have so strict criteria for IAS selection, why some of those cannot be there for MPs/MLAs. Also, if Annaji is so bent on having the bill passed, why to do it by sitting outside. I am sure that Annaji can win the election and form government if they contest. Then lets have this strong bill passed so that it serves the country for decades to come.

I do not think one should make mockery of our constitution, but we should stand for it and safeguard it. Otherwise, we are just asking for a autocratic rule without any accountability. I hope Annaji should not get disheartened by Congress' tactics and come out in open for a WAR.