Myths about Indian Politics

The polling for the Phase I of the Indian General Elections is on today. Let us look at some of the myths that we believe in.

Myth 1 - India is a great democracy. This is pure crap. While it is true that we vote and elect our representatives, the simple truth of democracy is that those elected should represent the majority of the voters. In any constituency, only 65% vote, and out of that the winning candidate gets about 35% maximum. Which means that the elected representative gets about 22.75% of the total votes in the constituency. The corollary of it is that 77.25% of the voters DONT WANT him as their candidate. I need not say more

Myth 2 - We are a secular country - The definition of 'Secularism' is the assertion that governmental practices or institutions should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs. In India, Government interferes in EVERYTHING related to religion, be in managing the funds of the temples, offering grant to minority institutions, providing reservations based on religion (there is a proposal pending that has been stuck down by the Supreme Court), ............. the list is endless.

Myth 3 - The Government is of the people, by the people and for the people - This is pure humbug. No one gives a damn about the people. The elections and the government are of the crooked politicians, by the politicians and definitely for the politicians, as also to the sarkari babus who lick the boot of the politicians. Of course the Government is also for the rich and the mighty, but never, never for the common man.

Myth 4 - Rulers have national interest in mind - This is the last thing the rulers have in mind. Only thing they are interested in filling up the party coffers and individual swiss bank accounts. (I remember parties, especially CPI(M) and other left parties, going from house to house in late 70s and early 80s collecting contributions from common man to fund the election campaign. Today, have you ever seen anyone do that. The parties have not fixed any membership fee and have no assets. Where do they get the thousands of crores to fight the election? It is all black money)

Myth 5 - Parliament functions essentially as a law making body and is a forum for discussing pressing matters of national importance - The parliament sits for less than 50 days in a year, hardly passes any bill, even doesnt have quorum on most days, MPs play hookey, if at all they attend they raise meaningless issues and stage a walkout. Do we need a parliament or assembly at all?

Myth 6 - There is law and order in the country and we believe in the philosophy of equality for all - This is a joke. There is no law and no order in the country. A common man dare not go and file a complaint in the police station for fear of being victimised. Ditto with respect to filing a case in the court. The rich get away with murder literally. Or gigantic fraud. The Ramalingam Raju case is one that symbolizes everything that is wrong with our countries legal system, as also Afzal Gurus, and now Kesab. ( A system which makes a terrorist who has killed more than a hundred innocents gloat over his action is contemptable. Any other decent country would have ensured that Kesab is scared shit to even open his mouth for what he has done).

Myth 7 - Education brings about social awareness and responsibility - Nothing like that. The Indian educated is the pits. They dont go out and vote, they are selfish, have no stake in nation building, but are quick to criticise (including me. of course I cant vote, being a NRI, but I have not raised my voice enough to ensure that I am not denied a vote. Hence I am guilty). They are the biggest culprits and squarely responsible for the mess we are in.

But should you go out and vote. Definitely. Vote for the right candidate, irrespective of his winnability. Change doesnt happen overnight. It takes a couple of decades. The BSP of Kanshi Ram didnt create a flutter when they entered the scene in 1980's. But today his successor Mayawati is a king maker if not the king (queen) herself, and BSP is a powerful force. BJP got just 2 seats in 1984, but was the single largest party by late 1990's and ruled the country heading a coalition. Congress has systemmatically been cut to size and has come down from a mighty 413 in 1985 to a probable 125 this time around. Telugu Desam is a power to reckon in AP. Vijayakanths party got 8% vote share last time around in TN............................... the list is endless. So please vote. At least let our next generation enjoy the benefits of our efforts. That alone is worth it