It is not a coincidence that the central agencies are arresting only the Opposition leaders on charges of corruption, and those who join hands with the ruling party are quickly let off.
Gerry Lobo OFM
Turn to any page of the Newspapers these days or tune on any channels: all one finds is the
dense fog of hate filled cross-fire among rival political goons who, after all, are racing for
sheer self-gain with having not an iota of compassionate concern for the commoner in the
country who they represent. The country in its recent electoral history projects a grim
picture of a distressed ship in the heart of the troubled ocean. First there is a fierce fight to
obtain a ticket towards which money power and muscle power are essentially employed. If
that is not assured, in spite of influence from different quarters of the high and mighty, all
the fidelity and passion which the candidates attached to their so called ‘home’ party is
quickly put asunder with as many threats and aggressive reactions as possible. Then there
is the high drama of switching sides into the supposed greener meadow to suit ones profit.
Unfortunately there are hungry political wolves only waiting to devour the dogs that part
away from their home-master because he feeds them with no bones anymore. The political
parties in India who claim to stand for truth, honesty, decency and right principles easily
embrace the tainted, criminal and disloyal ones who jump out of their ‘home.’ It is hard to
believe politicians who professedly claim that their party is their only ‘home’ they belong
to. These are often liars and murderers, wolves in sheep clothing! These, for that matter
any other lot, piously and convincingly refer to the Constitutions, knowing not a clause of
the Constitutions, leave alone its Preamble. Of course, in our country acquiring sufficient
knowledge of the Constitutions or being totally ignorant of so important a document hardly
matters. Our leaders would have no regard for an ethos that shapes their person, a moral
standing to be up-right and a measure of humanity to succor the needs of their citizens. If
there were these essentials, our elections would not be a dirty game, even though there
may be Election Commissioners as watch-dog.
There is a general thinking among the citizens that politics is a game and it can be played
without rules; that corruption and criminal deeds may be permitted, all because it is after
all politics which requires no ethics and moral principles. This perception among people
has led them to be greatly tolerant towards political cross-fire and silent about the
atrocities. Hence politicians take absolute liberty in voicing out statements they consider
infallible. The harm it can generate and the violence that might follow is never considered
or even thought of. Total disrespect to human persons, unfounded things vomited out in
the open about them and the discriminative acts committed towards them – all these
movements clearly indicate that politics is understood as a public space where anybody
can murder anyone who is an opponent.
Opinions may vary, ideologies may differ but respect and honor due to a person cannot be
shunted out by fierce verbal attacks and inimical vindictiveness. If political space is meant
for hate-mongering and hate crimes, then what one manifests is bestiality at its worst.
Today one gets the impression that if someone belongs to a political party his or her
primary function is to defame the opponent by showering upon that person the latest barbs
against him or her, invent a false narrative from out of the blue, use tongue itching slangs,
create an sensational environment around that person and disturb public harmony and
peace. Perhaps this is an indication of the lack of an education with character in our
political masters who may sound vibrant prophets but are in fact venomous snakes!
Politics, on the other hand, does not imply an easy and soothing camaraderie of cheap
conversation without critical perception of reality. Agreement among the opposing parties
for the sake of maintaining cozy approachability is not even the ordinary human inter-
relationship. Opposing views are required to arrive at a critical common ground. It is not to
please each other but to birth the truth. Politics of agreement among the opposing parties
may please the partners but can perpetuate unjust, discriminatory and immoral
consciences work their way in maintaining status quo. Disagreements and opposing views,
must be there in the political conversation, though it need not be a ‘win-lose’ platform.
Political space for opposing viewpoints is to create a new society and serve the citizens in
their respective sectors of life. If on the other hand different stand points, though opposing
they may be, create a chaotic situation, become fundamentalists and a domineering force of
autocracy, then politics is only for lions and tigers who cannot bear any annoyance
whatsoever. Such is the political picture one has before the voters during this General
Election in the country.
Politics is essential for governance, for development in all spheres, including human
development and for sustaining harmony in diversity by providing space for conversation
that transcends mere verbal communication. Politics is for the preservation of humanity
and not for tarnishing others’ image, for intimidating the innocent, for domineering over
the powerless, for heaping fabricated allegations against the opponent and for looking
suspicious about the achievements of others. Today vendetta is the name of the game in
political arena, particularly visible in the incumbent government. With its strong affinity
with the ancient religion such as Hindu Dharma, the majoritarian government of today
should have made a difference politically, socially, religiously and economically. Professing
a sacred Dharma this government should have established Ram Rajya which Mahatma
Gandhi envisioned for the country.
The government had a mighty numerical strength at the
helm of affairs, but has failed miserably because of its involvement, not in developmental
works, but in disturbing the peace, in dictating the independent machinery of the country
the course it must take and in merging politics with mandir ideology. It is clear that politics
of this kind is detrimental to human existence.
The ‘vibrant democracy’ is turning gradually into an “electoral autocracy” before our eyes.
Unconcerned and uncritical citizens of this country are only encouraging the present
religious wave with flags and slogans, and maintaining a safe distance from whatever
happens to the country at large. A vibrant democracy implies critical and committed
responsibility, not sluggishness and hiding behind a comfortable institutional and familial
management. This indifference has encouraged policy makers to invade the individual
human rights and suppress their freedom. Sadly enough, the elected ones, with no checks
on their performance utter hate, divide minds, propagate religion and hunt for the innocent
towards victimization. You call this ‘vibrant democracy’?
Our judiciary is aware of the malaise, the dishonesty, the cancer of hate in the country. It is
wisely and cautiously, sternly and fiercely delivering justice to the marginalized. However,
as critical thinkers who have close association with the judicial system and its personnel
have observed, there is an erosion of values among some judges themselves. The judges
also fear victimization by those who rule if they are just in accordance with the law. This is
certainly disastrous to our democracy. As we witnessed in the past weeks, political
pressures have obligated the Central Bank of India to hide facts from the judiciary and the
public about Electoral Bonds accountability. However, in this case, the Supreme Court has
not spared any agency other than hammering on the knuckles of the concerned personnel
to disclose all facts. The independent agencies are weaponized to rout the foe, the
Opposition. It is not a coincidence that the central agencies are arresting only the
Opposition leaders on charges of corruption, and those who join hands with the ruling
party are quickly let off. What an irony! Is this not a kind of nervousness of the
government? Why freeze account of the Opposition leaders? Is it not to cripple their
performance? In spite of the code of conduct established by the Election Commission, those
who have obtained ticket to stand for the election throw unfounded and offensive
statements about others in public, even naming them ‘terrorists’. Our General Election
2024 stands at the politics of cross-fire. Will there be again a ‘democracy of electoral
autocracy’?
