The swift horses of autocracy

 

Strong leaders get themselves elected, and reelected: through media manipulation and misuse of autonomous institutions in democracies; through purging rivals in the name of corruption and changing party clauses in autocracies.

It is clearly visible that autocracy is a big inspiration for strong leaders in the democratic world to try to become all-powerful potentates because the concept of ‘power’ itself is built on the foundation of ‘becoming all powerful’. So the ultimate dream of a strong leader in a democracy is to become an unquestionable leader. It’s a natural progression: beginning with a leader to become ruler to turn an all powerful potentate.

Earlier there would be some odd strong leader in the democratic world and some odd extra powerful leader in autocracies. Following international norms of diplomatic language and behavior was the norm. A leader was expected to speak, act, behave and present himself in an image built on globally accepted norms of diplomatic protocols. And any adventure on part of some strong leader would be instantly viewed as misadventure, unbecoming and uncouth.  

However, in the present decade that critical line has been breached. In a world full of strong leaders trying to be extra-strong—using fears and phobias nationally and internationally—any type of verbal misadventure is now a simple reality; it doesn’t automatically get cast in the mould of diplomatic breach like earlier. No verbal adventure is misadventure now. Adventurism is now the new norm.

Putin started it on a big scale after honing his adventurism domestically for decades, clinging to power, crossing all limits to decimate opponents and become a new-age Czar. Then he carried it beyond the Russian borders by flouting all international norms such as sovereignty of a country by attacking Ukraine. It primed the world for offbeat behavior by powerful leaders.

Many world leaders now speak publicly like common people yelling on public squares. It’s quite normal now to see big leaders squabbling like irked neighbors. That typical image of a responsible, restrained, diplomatic leader lies in dustbin. The UN is operationally redundant. We have retraced our steps to the era of WW II. It doesn’t feel like we are led by guiding leaders; it feels like we are pushed by strong leaders.

Many strong leaders, who haven’t so far taken their behavior beyond national borders, are testing it domestically. They are flouting all norms followed so far. They are setting up a new normal of systematically curtailing free speech; robbing the autonomous institutions of their objective, neutral character; setting up capitalist oligarchies to boost their political agenda. All in all, it seems a scary world.

The herd of sheep

 

An experiment was carried out to assess the individual and collective evaluation of a situation or decision making. There were some jars full of coins. The participants were individually asked to estimate the number of coins in jars of various sizes. Surprisingly the estimates swung between two ends—too much and too less off the mark.

Then the sum total was carried out to calculate the average estimation. The average came very near to the exact number of coins. The plus and minus cancel each other to take a balanced position. But it’s possible only when there is no homogenizing influence to tilt the individuals’ opinion, calculation or way of thinking.

Democracy originated in small Greek and ancient Indian republics in the Gangetic plains. The population was small. The tools of mass influence didn’t exist. The majority assessed the character of a contender as per their own set of individual or little group beliefs, expectations and motives. The various ends of the spectrum came to a healthy average—the choice nearing the best leader of the lot (in strictly relative terms).

I would call it the utopian form of democracy. But things have changed drastically now. Under the onslaught of mass media and other influencers like the social media tools, very few individuals think independently these days. The people feel comfortable and safe in becoming part of a narrative, ideology or shrewdly set-up framework by the power aspirants.

The media, social media and various other tools of influencers now influence the masses in a way that thoughts become like factory products—mechanized, on a set pattern. So when millions go to vote to elect their leader or representative, it’s not the competition among millions of choices to give a healthy, impartial average choice. Rather, it’s simply a clash among a few categories of choices—just a few dozen on the basis of ideologies and narratives that are served to the masses through media and which the masses consume so copiously.

The minds of the masses are fabricated to act, believe and think as per a few set patterns that serve the interests of the power contenders. It’s about diluting the individual’s independent, sovereign choice and opinion and implant a pre-set option in him. So millions of individual choices have trickled down to a handful of options.

To what extent an individual can be influenced or primed to act in a pre-determined manner can be gauzed from horseracing punters’ cleverness. The cleverest better puts very high stakes on the weakest horse. His cronies spread the word. The crowd takes the weakest horse as the strongest contender. They put high stakes on it. The smart guys meanwhile win sacks of money on the real contender whose bets were ignored by the majority under the spell of the false narrative.

Well, democracy is about individual choice. But presently there are efforts to chuck out that choice.

The result

 

Give Indians first a cheated fake result. Even the commonest of us have enough brains to discuss and chalk out the true success story of a fake result. We will then spin the success hypothesis to validate the false. You just need to cheat us and then leave it on us to prove with our shrewd acumen that it was no cheating, it was rather a masterstroke to achieve true, honest success. Well done Kumar sir! You did your job, now we do ours.

Snakes Vs Earthworms

 

An earthworm is the mildest, most harmless version of a snake. Similarly, the common man is the mildest and the most harmless version of a politician. In both cases, the former ones crawl to survive and eat muddy crumbs for survival; while the latter ones are fanged, poisoned and slither around to hunt with impunity.

PS: Within the snakes and the politicians, there are different types. Some are vipers, cobras, kraits and mambas. The lethal ones. The others are rat snakes, sand boas and many other harmless crawlers who carry the fear and stigma of the lethal ones in the genre.

Damaged democracies

 

The fall of Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh is very worrisome for the Indian strategic interests; just like the fall of Rajapakshe clan in Sri Lanka must have bothered the Chinese communist government.

For a country like India, whose democracy is always on the livewire, it’s suitable to have democracies in its neighboring countries. Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina—however milder version of democracy it might have been—is always a better bet for India in comparison to any other option.

She was firmly in the seat for the last fifteen years. Despite all the diluting elements of a proper democracy—like ‘crackdown on the opposition, including the jailing of leaders, stifling of dissent, and muzzling of media’ (was she too inspired by the strong, autocratic leaders who are emerging world over of late?)—she has been the best shot for the Indian interests. Her ouster acquires more worrisome shades given the fact of unfriendly regimes in Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and the military junta in Myanmar.

When you are a proponent of strongman (or strongwoman) politics, there is a very fine line between what is tolerable and intolerable. Dissension builds up over a period of time and if you aren’t prudent enough to keep safety valves for the seepage of extra effervescence—thus avoiding an explosion—you might become a villain suddenly. The fuel has accumulated over the years; now it needs just one trigger to ignite mass sentiments. There were people swimming in the private pools of the mighty Rajapakshes and now you have people taking away framed picture and paintings from Hasina’s official residence.

She could have easily enjoyed her fifth term. What was the use of bringing job quota for the descendants of freedom fighters? One can give positive incentives in so many other ways instead of directly antagonizing the younger section of the population. It was foolish on her part; as farcical as would be the Indian government’s job quota for the descendants of the founding members of the Hindu rightist organizations in the country. Instead of allowing the fire to spread while hundreds died in the protests she could have shown a clever side—staying adamant at all costs is being very foolish, even if it makes one feel strong—by revoking the said job reservation; like Modi did once during the farmer protests by taking back the unpopular farming laws. This is the only time I have seen him allowing some space to the voice of dissent; otherwise it has been a steel frame. But this one kind and considerate decision fetches much respect in my eyes for the powerful Indian ruler. It’s fortunate that he did it because it saved India from a bigger fire. But the way female wrestlers were treated—and the oppressor facilitated—still rankles the soul of most of the people in the peasantry class. And the less we say about Manipur, the better it is. I know it’s a far more complex situation over there than anyone of a common person like you or me can understand. But despite all the nitty-gritty, the country’s premier can at least take some symbolic measures to put balm on the bleeding Manipuri wounds. 

It’s fortunate that the collective Indian psyche is far more mature and would respond—not react—through ballot paper during elections under similar circumstances, like it did during the recently held general elections. In the face of the talks of threat to the constitution in the country, the Indian voters’ response has been to dilute the power structure by denying the BJP government an absolute majority in the general election. Despite the alleged misuse of agencies and partisan role played by the election commission—due to which many critics take the result with a pinch of salt and the opposition seems convinced that there are enough reasons to believe that election wasn’t as fair as it’s supposed to be in the world’s largest democracy—the BJP lost its majority and hence the power to rule with an unsparing rod is diluted significantly. A coalition government is the best shot for the social harmony of the country at the moment.

What is it that undoes the position of a powerful authoritarian leader in a democracy? I think, it’s the plain old overconfidence. An illusion that what has been passing for long will continue to do so. As the most powerful person in the country, you think that the alpha male type tactics are the only signs of strength and power. You think any adjustment of other’s opinion is a sign of weakness.

About 700 farmers lost their lives during the cruel summer and winter months during the yearlong agitation. A kind leader—and kindness doesn’t decrease the strength of a leader—would have met his farmer subjects. When the champion and elite female sporting icons were crying on the road for justice, a kinder ruler would have expressed his willingness to listen to them. Manipur is burning for more than a year. A kind ruler would have visited it during the times when his subjects need a healing touch. Just mere presence and soft words will do. He is after all our ruler and such kind symbolism puts balm on many wounds. All said, we are lucky that the Indian voters are far more mature and respond through ballot box only. And that’s the strength of Indian democracy.

Let's have humble leaders

The common people would never want a war. But they suffer the most in a war. The egoist leaders are mostly saved from the destruction of war. That's why it's so easy for them to keep yelling, shouting for more blood. And when did any war achieve anything? They just prepared the seedbed  for more wars in future. A war is just tilling the land for more hate; sowing the seeds of malice and distrust--to harvest more fodder for future wars. And the fodder is the common people like you and me dear reader. Let's say NO to wars in our name!

The world is always nearer to destruction in proportion to the greater number of strong, egoistic, macho leaders operating in different countries at the same time. So dear common people, we can at least choose lesser ferocious leaders. Of course, all those who fight for power are predatory in nature just like their analogue among animals, birds, reptiles, bacteria and bugs. So obviously the clawy and dangerous people will definitely occupy the top slot in the social food chain. That's inevitable. But we the common people must strive to elect the least fearsome from the pack. The lesser the claws and incisors the ruler has, the better is the skin of the masses. Because the Alphas will fight and the fight among extra-strong Alphas will result in the masses getting trampled unnecessarily. So o thou rabbits at the lower level in the social food chain, kindly choose the leaders with blunted talons either because of a muted ideology or relatively humbler personal traits.

जन्नत में आग

 कश्मीर में निर्दोष पर्यटकों की हत्या घनघोर पापकर्म है। विडंबना ये है अब पक्ष और विपक्ष दोनो इसका अपने अपने तरीके से राजनैतिक फायदा उठाएंगे। त्रासदी का लाभ उठाना ही तो राजनीति है। पाकिस्तान के कुकृत्य तो जगजाहिर हैं। उसपे विलाप करना निरर्थक है। सवाल उठता है कि एक अलग थलग प्रयटन क्षेत्र के आस पास, जहां करीब २००० पर्यटक उपस्थित थे, उसके आस पास सिक्योरिटी क्यूं नहीं थी। अगर मीडिया रिपोर्टों को मानें तो उग्रवादियों ने फ़ुरसत से लोगों से उनके नाम, धर्म पूछे। इतना ही नहीं कुछ को तो कलमा तक बोलने को कहा। मतलब हिट और रन नहीं था। फ़ुरसत थी। और फ़ुरसत तब होती है जब विश्वास होता है कि सिक्योरिटी अरेंजमेंट बहुत ढीले है। यानी सिक्योरिटी गार्ड काफी दूर रहे होंगे। इसलिए हिन्दू मुस्लिम की आग में कूदने से पहले अपनी सरकार से हमें ये प्रश्न पूछना होगा की इतना बड़ा लूपहोल कैसे छोड़ दिया गया?

इस संबंध में ओशो का वक्तव्य सार्थक है: "दो तरह के लोग हैं दुनिया में। बड़ी पुरानी सूफी कथा है कि एक मूढ़ और एक ज्ञानी एक जंगल से गुजरते थे। दोनों रास्ता भूल गए थे। बिजली चमकी। बड़ी प्रगाढ़ बिजली थी। अंधकार क्षण भर को कट गया। मूढ़ ने आकाश में बिजली को देखा। ज्ञानी ने नीचे रास्ते को देखा। मूढ़ ने जब बिजली चमकी तो ऊपर देखा। जब बिजली चमकी तो ज्ञानी ने नीचे देखा। उस नीचे देखने में रास्ता साफ हो गया।"

इसलिए मूढ़ तो इस त्रासदी की कोंध में धार्मिक उन्माद की चमक ही देखेंगे। लेकिन ज्ञानवान आदमी इसमें रास्ता देखेगा। और रास्ते उचित प्रश्नों को उठाने पर ही निकलते हैं।

सत्ता का संघर्ष

 राजनीति प्रत्यक्ष या परोक्ष रूप से छल और बल का ही खेल होता है। सत्ता का संघर्ष, किसी भी प्रकार की राजनैतिक व्यस्था में, ईमानदारी के पैमानों से नहीं साधा जा सकता। सभी दल अपने अपने हिसाब से छल बल का इस्तेमाल करते हैं। छल और बल पे सब दलों का कॉपीराइट है, चाहे कांग्रेस हो या बीजेपी। बीजेपी छल और बल को ज्यादा अच्छा मैनेज करती है। उसने इसको एक अलग ही आयाम पे पहुंचा दिया है। लगभग एक प्रकार की साइंस। बीजेपी छल बल की डॉक्टरेट है, और कांग्रेस बेचारी सिर्फ ग्रैजुएट है। बस यही फरक है दोनों में। 

हरियाणा में की गई बेईमानी को J&K की ईमानदारी से ढक दिया। इसी तरह से महाराष्ट्र के बेईमानी के धब्बों को झारखंड के सफेद ईमानदार पेंट से ढकने का सफल प्रयोग किया गया। अब जबकि हरियाणा और महाराष्ट्र के परिणामों को लेकर EVM पर सवाल उठ रहें हैं तो एक बार फिर थोड़ा ईमानदारी का पेंट कर दिया जाएगा। दिल्ली का चुनाव ईमानदारी से होने के ज्यादा चांस है। वैसे भी वहां उपराज्यपाल के माध्यम से परोक्ष रूप से लगाम तो केन्द्र सरकार के हाथ में ही रहती है। दिल्ली सरकार के पास बहुत सीमित अधिकार हैं। 

इसलिए अब दिल्ली हारो एक ईमानदार चुनाव में। इससे जम्मू कश्मीर और झारखंड के ईमानदार पेंट की कोटिंग के ऊपर एक और परत जम जाएगी क्योंकि हरियाणा और महाराष्ट्र में इतने बड़े खेल के सबूत हैं कि अब आगे कई परत ईमानदारी की चढ़ानी पड़ेगी छोटे चुनावों में। तब कहीं जाकर थोड़ा दब पाएगा मामला।

Mutterings of a poor voter in thawing democracy

 Jinping wins (Tibet atrocities and Xinxiang concentration camps), Putin wins (Ukraine massacres), Modi wins (Godhra riots), Trump wins (Convinced felon)😰😨😓😥😢😨😧😩😫😷🤕🤒🤧😪 Now is the time for us to be like three deaf, mute and blind monkeys 🙊🙉🙈 or shift to some other planet, for which unfortunately there is no choice except Musk, Zuckerberg and Bezos... But Musk won't take that option. He is the bright eyed super genius of mighty Trump. The rest two beware. Take your rockets out. In any case the mighty four have the power to dispatch anyone to some extraterrestrial planet - I mean if not in body but soul at least.😀 The super-strong guys are actually eligible to share the same table and have relaxed talk over wine. Modi of course will have milk. Then who will be their common enemy? Maybe small people like you and me who think they have their own mind and feel like speaking the truth. Democracy will get diluted like never before. It has already thawed quite significantly in the world's biggest and the strongest democracies. I think Putin and Xi Jinping are the trend-setting big, bad guys, inspiring the rest to follow in their steps. Who will they hunt if not each other then? Because the most powerful can't help hunting. They have to. Almost natural. I think they will hunt the little voices of liberalism, freedom of speech, truth, human rights, equality, gender parity etc. Putin will be allowed to retain whatever he has captured in Ukraine. China will be allowed to take over Taiwan somehow (with the shamshow of American opposition to that). If India plays its cards well, it might have some more chunk from PoK. And America? It will be allowed to have the symbolic chairmanship on the table of the four. The mighty tigers then will be free to play cat and mouse with little liberal intelligentsia mice😂 But who knows the aliens, who have been taking reconnaissance of our small planet for decades, will finally step in and present a common challenge to the four. 😜 Then it will be quite interesting.

Using honesty to validate dishonesty

 प्रतिद्वंद्वी को निष्पक्ष लड़ाई में कम महत्वपूर्ण राज्य जीतने की अनुमति दें; इस बीच, साथ-साथ अधिक महत्वपूर्ण राज्य जीतें, भले ही इसके लिए अनुचित साधनों का उपयोग करना पड़े। उदाहरण के लिए, जम्मू-कश्मीर और हरियाणा। जम्मू-कश्मीर कम और हरियाणा ज़्यादा महत्वपूर्ण क्यों है? क्योंकि जम्मू-कश्मीर में सर्वशक्तिमान उपराज्यपाल के पास वास्तविक शक्ति है और विधानसभा अब तक लगभग नाममात्र और प्रतीकात्मक प्रकृति की है। इसलिए इससे कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता कि विधानसभा का संचालन कौन करता है। हरियाणा क्यों है ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण? क्योंकि यह परम सत्ता की सीट दिल्ली को तीन तरफ से घेरता है। किसान हरियाणा की सीमाओं के बाहर बैठे हैं. यदि कोई प्रतिद्वंद्वी सरकार सत्ता में आती है, तो वह सीमाएं खोल देगी और किसान दिल्ली में अपने अधिकारों की मांग करेंगे। अगले चुनावों में भी यही स्थिति होगी: झारखंड और महाराष्ट्र। निष्पक्ष मुकाबले में कम महत्वपूर्ण झारखंड को हारें; महाराष्ट्र को जीतना अधिक महत्वपूर्ण है, चाहे जो भी साधन अपनाना पड़े। फिर आपको प्रतिद्वंद्वी द्वारा आपके द्वारा चुनाव में हेरफेर के आरोपों को खारिज करने का एक तर्क मिल जाता है। आप बस इतना कहते हैं कि देखिए आप दूसरे राज्य में जीत गए और फिर भी आप ईवीएम के दुरुपयोग का रोना रो रहे हैं। यही कारण है कि एक साथ होने वाले इन चारों विधानसभाओं के चुनाव को दो भागों में बांट दिया गया। यह घोषणा लाल किले पर एक राष्ट्र, एक चुनाव की घोषणा के एक दिन बाद की गई थी।

Allow the rival to win the less important state in a fair fight; meanwhile, side by side win the more important state even if it means using unfair means. J & K and Haryana, for example. Why is J & K less important and Haryana more? Because in J & K the all powerful Lt. Governor holds the real Power and the assembly is almost nominal and symbolic in nature as of now. So it hardly matters who holds the assembly. Why is Haryana more important? Because it surrounds Delhi, the seat of ultimate power, from three sides. The farmers are sitting outside Haryana borders. If a rival government comes to power, it will open the borders and the farmers would be in Delhi demanding their rights. The same will be the case in the next set of elections: Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Lose the less important, Jharkhand, in a fair contest; win Maharashtra, the more important, using whatever means it takes. You then get a logic to undo the rival's allegations of election manipulations by you. You simply say that see you won the other state and still you are crying about the misuse of EVMs. That's the reason the elections for these four assemblies, which were due to be held together, were divided into two sets. The announcement coming a day after the Red Fort declaration of one nation, one election.

Whose verdict is this?

The election results in Haryana don't represent the ground realities. There are very serious allegations of systematic manipulation and hijacking of process and machines. It's the election commission's verdict, not the people of Haryana.

It's very easy to make technology a weapon in pursuit of your goal. Israel used technology to put explosives in pager devices used by Hezbollah. Similarly, EVM machines are sitting ducks for manipulation. Save Indian democracy. Say no to EVMs.

Now sceptics and andhbhakts will mention J and K election results. There was no need to temper there. It's under lieutenant governor who has so many powers that the MLAs are mere symbol. Imagine the lieutenant governor of Delhi doesn't allow the Delhi government to function. The kashmir governor is at least ten times stronger. So they already have their government in effect there irrespective of who comes to power in the legislature. 

And if the EVM is so foolproof, why do the countries which are 50 years ahead of us in technology still use ballot paper? America landed a human on the moon almost 60 years back and we have recently landed an unmanned craft there. And America doesn't believe in EVMs right. Andhbhakts any arguments from your side please? The country that made EVMs for the first time - Germany - doesn't use them on the grounds that it isn't possible to trust its credibility.

Give Indians first a cheated fake result. Even the commonest of us have enough brains to discuss and chalk out the true success story of a fake result. We will then spin the success hypothesis to validate the false. You just need to cheat us and then leave it on us to prove with our shrewd acumen that it was no cheating, it was rather a masterstroke to achieve true, honest success. Well done Mr Kumar! You did your job, now we do ours😂

Common and uncommon

 An earthworm is the mildest, most harmless version of a snake. Similarly, the common man is the mildest, most harmless version of a politician. In both cases, the former ones crawl to survive and eat muddy crumbs for survival; while the latter ones are fanged, poisoned and slither around to hunt with impunity.

PS: Within the snakes and politicians, there are different types. Some are vipers, cobras, krates and mambas. The lethal ones. The other are rat snakes, sand boas and many other harmless crawlers who carry the fear and stigma of the lethal ones in the genre.

Cult leaders

 The biggest problem with Big Brotherly cult leaders is that they 'rule', not 'serve'. They float above the ground realities and cast a shadow that clouds the minds of the masses with downsizing rhetoric, jingoism, ideologies and vain principles. No wonder the blind followers lose 'independence of thought and spontaneity of action'. The collective mind of the subjects gets primed for a doctored reality where the cult figure is the ultimate saviour. No wonder the cult leaders have an inherent distaste for free thinkers, intellectuals, artists and philosophers. They just hate anyone who doesn't fit in the mold of doctored reality.

A scared writer

 Critics of Them, justified of course in your intentions and reasons, a word of caution. They are down but not out. As the saying goes, a King is a bad enemy, a worse friend, and a fatal family relation. So stay rooted while you criticize Them. They will hit back at the level you are, wherever it may be, anywhere you are, using the hierarchical powers suitable for your position and standing to push and prod you again into the hole. They may not do much to take us out of our miseries. But They will surely hit back! I have no shame in accepting that I am scared of writing or saying even a single word against Them. Because I know They always hit back at their critics! They have the power! And they expertly mean to use it against dissent. That is the hallmark of powerful Kings! Power has natural disposition for misuse. Here at least they are subservient to the concept of power. Power has power over Them. So my dear angry, cantankerous birds, take a pause. The fear of corona and the fear of Them are both essential to stay alive and safe. So play it safe! Lastly, pray, pray and just pray for all of us. We the common subjects of Them have no oxygen, no vaccine, no hospital beds. All we have is our prayers. So let's pray for each other. Let's use all our power of emotions to keep our boat afloat!

The common man

 While a plain featured Abraham Lincoln, struggling as a law student and part time worker, drew inspiration and ignition from his beautiful lover Marry Todd, his friend had a jibe, 'Don't you think you are too beautiful to be the wife of this ugly man?!' Lost in the common features of her man, she simply quipped, 'Common looking man is the best! That's why God has created so many of them!'

The master tricksters

 We are the master tricksters. To keep the hypothesis of abundance and material wealth, we basically groom "shortages" of various kinds. If no ever-existing shortages, how will the river of corporations flow? Does a river flow after reaching the sea? So it's primarily about keeping the needs, desires and aspirations above the things available. Always. It's never about fulfilling the needs. The trick is in keeping the needs going high and high, so that pursuit stays there by default.

छोटी सी किरण

 मैं भारतीय लोकतंत्र में सुधार के कुछ संकेत देख सकता हूं। लाखों गरीब वंचित लोगों ने मिलकर मोदी, भाजपा, नौकरशाही, चुनाव आयोग, ईडी, सीबीआई, आईटी और अरबपतियों के खिलाफ लड़ाई लड़ी। परिस्थितियाँ उनके विरुद्ध हिमालय पर्वत की तरह खड़ी थीं। लेकिन उन्होंने अपनी मतदान की शक्ति का उपयोग किया। वे कोई विकल्प नहीं दे सके क्योंकि सरकार के ऐसे क्रूर, शक्तिशाली किले को तोड़ना उनकी क्षमता से परे था। लेकिन उन्होंने एक मजबूत विपक्ष दिया है जो लोकतंत्र के स्वास्थ्य के लिए जरूरी है।' मुझे उम्मीद है कि विपक्ष को अब संसद में बोलने की अनुमति दी जाएगी न कि उसे परेशान किया जाएगा, चुप कराया जाएगा, निलंबित किया जाएगा और सदन से बाहर निकाल दिया जाएगा। मुझे उम्मीद है कि अब हम भारतीय मीडिया को बंधनों को तोड़ते हुए और पिछले दशक में हासिल की गई शर्मनाक स्थिति को दूर करते हुए देखेंगे। मुझे उम्मीद है कि शक्तिशाली सरकारी मशीनरी अपनी भूमिका ईमानदारी और सत्यनिष्ठा से निभाएगी। मुझे उम्मीद है कि सरकार अब सत्ता और पैसे के दम पर दिखावटी सब्जबाग खड़े करने की बजाय आम लोगों की समस्याओं के लिए काम करेगी। और राहुल गांधी को बधाई! वह विपक्ष के अच्छे नेता बनेंगे। भावी प्रधानमंत्री के रूप में अपने कौशल को निखारने का यह उनके लिए एक अच्छा अवसर होगा।

A little glimmer of hope for the Indian democracy

 I can see some signs of recovery for Indian democracy. Teeming millions of poor disadvantaged people fought against Modi, BJP, bureaucracy, election commission, ED, CBI, IT and billionaires. The odds were pitifully pitched against them. But they asserted their power. They couldn't give an alternative because it was simply beyond their capacity in the face of such brutal power assertion by the government. But they have given a strong opposition which is necessary for the health of democracy. I hope the opposition will now be allowed to speak in the parliament rather than being heckled, silenced, suspended and thrown out of the house. I expect we will now see Indian media breaking the shackles and cast away the shameful shape it has acquired in the past decade. I hope the powerful government machineries will fulfill their roles with honesty and integrity. I hope the government will now work for the problems of the common people instead of just creating a showy façade on the basis of power and money. And congratulations Rahul Gandhi! He will make a good leader of the opposition. It will be a good opportunity for him to hone his skills as the future prime minister.

लोकतंत्र की क्षति

 लोकतंत्र में राजनीतिक दलों द्वारा एक दूसरे पर आरोप लगाना आम बात है। लेकिन चुनाव आयोग पर आरोपों का स्तर पिछले सभी रिकॉर्ड को पार कर गया है। ये आरोप कहां से आए हैं? यह चुनाव आयोग का अपना काम है. वह सिर्फ यह नहीं कह सकता कि विपक्ष अफवाहें फैला रहा है और छूट जाएगा। सरकार के पक्ष में चुनाव संबंधी मुद्दों पर इसके पक्षपातपूर्ण दृष्टिकोण ने आलोचकों को इसकी तटस्थता के खिलाफ उंगली उठाने के लिए पर्याप्त वैध कारण दिए हैं। पिछले कुछ महीनों से वह जो कर रहा है, उससे निष्पक्षता नहीं झलकती, इसलिए स्वाभाविक रूप से उसके खिलाफ बहुत सारे सवाल उठ रहे हैं। इससे भारतीय लोकतंत्र की छवि को बहुत बड़ा धक्का लगा है. क्योंकि अगर चुनाव कराने वाली मशीनरी ही अभूतपूर्व तरीके से संदेह के घेरे में आ जाए तो लोकतंत्र की बुनियाद हिल जाती है। इसके अलावा विपक्ष के ख़िलाफ़ सरकारी एजेंसियों का चुन-चुनकर दुरुपयोग करने का स्तर भी भारत में नये शिखर पर पहुंच गया है। इसमें कोई आश्चर्य नहीं कि भारतीय लोकतंत्र बुरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया है। अब यह सवाल नहीं है कि कौन जीतता है और कौन हारता है। असल मुद्दा देश में लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया को नुकसान पहुंचाने के बारे में है।' एक आम आदमी के लिए भारत के चुनाव आयोग की कार्यप्रणाली से निराश होने के पर्याप्त कारण हैं। यह लोकतंत्र की भावना को नुकसान पहुंचाता है. मैं भविष्य में भारतीय लोकतंत्र को कमजोर होकर निरंकुश रूप लेते हुए देख सकता हूं।

Big dent to Indian democracy

 It's usual for the political parties to put up allegations against each other in a democracy. But the levels of allegations against the election commission have surpassed all past records. Where have these allegations come from? It's the election commission's own doing. It can't just say that the opposition is spreading rumours and go scot free. Its partial and biased approach to election related issues in favour of the government have given the critics enough valid reasons to raise a finger against its neutrality. Fairness doesn't reflect from what it has been doing for the past few months, so naturally lots of questions are being raised against it. It has given a huge dent to the image of Indian democracy. Because if the very election conducting machinery comes under suspicion in an unprecedented manner then the foundations of democracy are shaken. Apart from this, the level of selectively misusing the government agencies against the opposition has touched a new peak in India. No wonder Indian democracy stands hugely dented. It's no longer a question of who wins and who loses. It's about the harm to the democratic process in the country. There are enough reasons for a common man to feel disappointed with the functioning of the election commission of India. It harms the spirit of democracy. I can see Indian democracy getting diluted to take autocratic shape in future.