DAME DEMOCRACY

 ‘Dame Democracy’

By

J.L. Gupta

The author of the Gettysburg address, the 16^th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was the artist. He painted a beautiful picture when he said,  “the deaths of so many brave soldiers would not be in vain. Slavery would end as a result of the losses, the future of democracy in the world would be assured” and that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth". The picture was perfect. But age inevitably changes the image.

We, the People, declared India to be a ‘Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.’ Conducted our elections. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first PM for the longest period of 6131 days. Then, Sh. G.L. Nanda for two terms of 14 days each. After him, Sh. Lal Bahadur Shastri for 582 days from 9.6.1964 to 11.1. 1966. Then, Smt. Indira Gandhi from 24.1.1966 to 24.3. 1977 and from 14.1. 1984 to 31.10.1984 for a total of 5,831days. Then Rajiv Gandhi assumed office on the assassination of his mother on 31.10.1984. He continued till 1.12.1989 when his party lost the elections. S/SH. Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, V.P. Singh; Chandra Shekhar; P.V. Narsimha Rao; A.B. Vajpayee; H.D. Deve Gowda; I.K. Gujral adorned the office of the Prime Minister at different intervals. In May, 2004, when Smt. Sonia Gandhi was elected by the partyMPs, she nominated Dr. Manmohan Singh who had been brought to the Rajya Sabha via Assam. He has never won an election to the Lok Sabha. Thus, except for the brief intervals, the line of succession has been maintained. Now, Rahul Gandhi is being projected by the Congress party as the Prime Ministerial candidate. One wonders - Is it Rule of Democracy or Dynasty? Is it Government by the people, progeny or puppets?

 Today, the politicians and the parties are only paying lip service to the principles of democracy. The wise choose to be indifferent. Some do not even exercise the right to elect. The multitude of people prefers the pliable to the able. Inevitably, those who ‘prescribe prejudices and proscribe principles’ become leaders. They talk of principles but act on interest. Was the congress claims to be secular. Was it being Secular when it proposed to replace Dr. Kalam, a distinguished scientist, with Smt. Patil? Such actions only help the pliable rather than the able to become powerful. But the lack of competence costs the country.

Actually, a majority of the voters in India are illiterate. Why? Despite more than six decades of independence and the levy of various taxes including the ‘Education Cess?’ How many schools has the government opened after it enforced the levy and collected substantial sums? Going by the media reports, the national assets have only been frittered away in various scams and scandals.

But for the members of the dynasty, nobody could have inflicted various persons like the present day leaders on the people. Once selected, a majority of them have assumed that they are the Rulers. They are entitled to dictate terms to everyone in the country. Each and very citizen is bound to bend and bow before them. They develop a good appetite for ‘excitement and excesses.’ The people have experienced the rigors of National Emergency at the hands of such people. The trend continues. To prove themselves right, they are passing the kind of orders, which no one in the right frame of mind shall ever do. The recent directions regarding gas cylinders provide an amusing but apt example. Ironically, untold misery is being inflicted on the innocent and poor people by following wrong policies leading to virtually a total lack of governance, unbridled inflation and a policy paralysis. Then, Reservations. That too, in the name of the poor and weaker sections of the society.  Not vote banks? Some cheek. The authors of Coalgate and 2G talking of the rights of the poor. Then, there is no democracy within the congress party. No wonder, its members were sitting in Dharna at Jantar Mantar. They also raised protest in the Parliament. As a result, the proceedings were stalled. Yet, the Members draw all the allowances. It costs a fortune.

Still more, the members of Parliament are seldom seen debating issues of importance. It is long since one may have heard a clause by clause consideration of a Bill in the Parliament. Now, it is often en-masse pushing of business by voice vote.  

In our country, the good cannot normally fight an election. More than that, it happens very often that the vanquished, if blessed by a member of the dynasty, is made the winner. The ministerial berth is given to the person who had lost at the hustings. The disapproved are brought in via the back door. Through the States they may not have ever represented. The peoples’ mandate is made meaningless.

At election times, slogans like “Garibi Hatao are raised. False promises of ‘Roti, Kapda aur Makaan’ are made. None have ever been fulfilled. Failure is the only thing, the Congress party has been a success at. 

Nearer home, in Chandigarh too, the position is interesting. Till recently, the ‘City Beautiful’ was the residents’ pride and the visitors’ delight. Neat and clean. Spick and span. The Public Health Department regularly removed the garbage. There were no flies. No mosquitoes. The Parking places were free and open. The roads were well maintained. Life was simple and smooth. And then suddenly some wise men had a brain wave. They thought that ‘dame democracy’ must be brought to the town. She came. As a Municipal Council. And in a short while, the results are visible. The garbage is not removed despite payment to the contractors appointed by the Council. We have to pay for parking. Also for the Councilors calling each other corrupt. And as if this is not enough, they are busy finding more ways to subsist and sustain themselves. By taxing the electors. Even their property.

Then, watch the elected representatives on the national television. Is it not an interesting diversion from the day’s drudgery? Yes! It does give you a chance to smile. Also to cry. Often, the leaders have ‘nothing to say. But they never hesitate to prove it’. Some appear to be a ‘monumental embarrassment’ to their constituencies and countrymen. And let us remember that ‘Vice’ even if added before President does not mean a virtue.

Despite everything, an optimist should never lose hope. Hopefully, the wise shall begin to exercise their right to elect. ‘Aristocracy of merit’ shall replace the rule of mediocrity.  

Shall we ever experience it?  May I say with Lincoln - “Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war (corruption) may speedily pass away”.  And then alone we shall experience the true charm of the beautiful dame called democracy.