So far I have voted two times in my life for government elections- once for assembly elections and second time for Parliament elections. But since I have a deep interest in reading and knowing stuff related to politics I read a lot on this subject. I have always thought why politicians use petty issue like religion, communism, caste etc and on based on these sentiments they try to win elections? Don’t they have self conscience? But today I got an almost same analogy and I understood the concept in a better sense. Today we had elections for selection of Student Council President and Coordinators for various committees in our college. Even in this highly educated class of MBA’s, issue of casting votes according to class sections raised significantly. It was looking as if section A were fighting against section B or C. Can’t they understand there is much to life beyond a small section boundary? And here I got answers for my earlier questions - When people can raise this section thing just to win a small election what’s wrong if politicians raise such divisive issues to win Parliament or Assembly elections where stacks are really very high. Next thing is even worse - why do people vote for such politicians; why do we constantly select people with corruption and criminal records? When it comes to shouting about the problems we have to face due to poor functioning of government, our people will be in front shouting against government but when time to choose good representative comes they will decide with a MY perspective in mind. Instead of going by merit; people go for - My caste, my religion, my boli (language), my section. We people are big hypocrites; while choosing our representative we will ask for MY, but while looking for performance we want best quality. “cake ko ya to kha lo ya bacha lo- dono kaam ek sath to nhi ho skte.”
Very Insightful.... a must read for aware voter..
ReplyDeletePankaj, Hisar
selfishness is a basic instinct of human being. no amount of education can devoid a person from it. it's in subconscious mind. Therefore you will find an MBA class behaving in almost the same way as others when it comes to self..
ReplyDelete-
Ravinder Saini
Chairman, Rockford Business School
One should know that balancing conflicting aspects is a virtue worth persuing. Anyone will like to see a familiar face in power, this builds confidence in us, but we should not forget that human being many times forgets those who brought them to power and indulges in fulfilling self interests. These aspects should be balances while selecting a candidate to make decisions and take actions on our behalf.
ReplyDeleteWell said sunil!In fact,I had similar feelings when the elections for president and coordinators were going on.Among highly educated to-be-MBAs we had issues like Section,Native place,group being considered for voting.Hey!How does that matter if the person is well qualified in terms of skills and potential to do the job.And we blame illiterate or power-greedy politicians for what they do?They can do it because we let them do it ,and walk away winning it.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I read that "In a democracy,people get what they deserve" and in the context of Indian politics ,this seems very very apt.We,the people are responsible for the kind of politicans we get,how public is treated by public servants,how bloody tiny countries like bangladesh,pakistan can think of sending terrorists in this country to create havoc and still get away with it,how a bangladesh can kill our soldiers and treat corpse as dead body of an animal,how people are humiliated by a few goondas in front of hundreds of mute spectators,how girls can be teased right in front of many,how castes can hold states to stand-still to demand for reservations on the merit of belonging to a particular caste,how politicians can even dare to go in front of public in spite of have taken the constituency from bad to worse.
Yes,we are responsible because we choose to be mute spectators.We choose to vote on the basis on caste,community,personal pehchan,religion, or in some cases on the basis of class sections.We choose to be mute spectators to the kind of behaviour we get from politicians and bureaucrats working either on their behalf or working due to their great policies(read reservations).
We ,as a democracy need to grow up.I loved the phrase-'Be the change you want to see in the world'.
It is also a matter of psychological and behavioral tendencies of choosing the familiar,something or someone which/who can fit into your perceived scheme of things or can benefit you(even at the cost of others).Khair,It is another big story...may be some other day......
p.s.-Me,you,we all are part of what I said.I am not excluding myself but yes at least honestly trying to get out of it,have succeded a bit and still trying.........