Daily Post 2991
HAS POLITICS BECOME AN END IN ITSELF?
Yes, for sure. It is being proclaimed from rooftops all over the place. The only difference is that the rooftops are the practice of politics being manifested all over the country. It has never been so blatant. We live in transformative times, where our living, institutions, concepts, thoughts and practices are all being redefined. We are in a world in the process of total churning. One side we have artificial intelligence gaining momentum and on other hand mercenary politics. With all forms of media ruling roost, more so the social media and privacy being consigned to flames, everything is out there in the open.
To fake or camouflage is an option that does not last for long. Politics in India can broadly be taken back to the freedom struggle, where its practice was truly for cause, it meant huge amount sacrifice and hardship and what the leaders and the followers got in return was the furtherance of their goal; movement forward to freedom. Politics thus was vehicle. It was a means to an end. Post-independence the leaders have been talking of public service pulling them to politics. There are instances of it, it cannot be accepted as generic. It sounds like glib talking today.
As times passed by and the old principle-based leadership started thinning down. Morality in politics saw a downward trend and true color and contours of Indian politics started getting displayed in full public view. Its octopus type control over governance / public life started emerging. It’s a not holds barred story today, reaching to an extent of helplessness, where the educated and concerned and larger masses have to be the receiving end, endlessly. Maharashtra stands as a shining example of this degeneration. Politics, democracy and governance have become synonymous geared to a mercenary political end goal.
What does a landslide victory mean, when you cannot find a leader in ten days with the elected representatives having no role to play in the political confabulations? This after the sordid drama of 2019 and then midway subterfuge with a new government installed in the mostly filmi style. Leave governance and people, a long-forgotten story, it is degeneration to the core, no holds barred, and carrots visible to the world. The leader then, now sulking to get departments under his control, which can be milked dry. Manipur burns and farmers keep coming back to Delhi’s borders and endless other issues the nations face, can wait endlessly. The election affidavits give a small peep into their growth. Maharashtra government was declared unconstitutional and so were the electoral bonds. If you still have some doubt, their behavior and demeanor consistent and relentless, will do the rest.
WILL CIVIL SOCIETY GETTING STRONGER AND VOCAL BE ABLE TO STEM THE TIDE OF POLITICAL AGGRANDISEMENT?
Sanjay Sahay