DailyPost 2957
THE RIGHT TO GET AWAY
What a right! Don’t get flabbergasted. All rights enjoyed by sections of society who have their hands on levers of powers, are not only the constitutionally and legally guaranteed ones. We have covered our democratic journey a bit too far, and that too in a manner we did, that we are not in position to differentiate between the legally guaranteed ones, and the ones which some have taken upon themselves. If you look at the world around you, and why things are the way they are, you would realise that it has because of the all pervasive differentiator, the ‘Right to Get Away’ and that too get away with anything.
Enjoyed by the political class in general and elected representatives and political executives in particular, it is the creme de la creme of all rights. Fortunately or unfortunately it is not enshrined in the constitution or any prevalent law of this country. Indirectly, they have extracted this right from the running democratic and governmental ecosystem of the country. It extends to some extent to the bureaucracy, which is bound by varieties of laws and conduct rules, that they can still be tackled. How many times have you felt that the politician in power or otherwise has been able to get away with things, which even the well placed would find it difficult to imagine.
If we are on the same page, then this is precisely the ‘The Right to Get Away’. Pull out this de facto right from them and then you will find them literally struggling as fish out of water. Couple of recent instances would be this right to finality. The Potholed City Called Bangalore, all of us are aware of. One fine day these famous holes were counted, timelines fixed, funds allocated and lo and behold it was filled. The powerful rulers of Bangalore certified it physically and personally. All was hunky dory, till the rains spoilt the show. With the deluge receding, holes became craters, at quite a few places it is now difficult to find roads. The floods brought lots of other civic issues to the fore, well known but not openly talked about.
The political executive has been able to get away with all of it, and that too unscathed. A right which can beat all fundamental rights put together. One and half crore people, most professional middle class and great contributors to our tax regime can go hang themselves. In the eastern part, the RG Kar agitation has not been able to get security, safety and congenial working atmosphere for the resident doctors in all medical colleges of W. Bengal. Some hunger strikes are still going on. The political executive has declared life as usual. They have been able to get away with everything which the constitution stands for. Not to forget Manipur. What does the new Lok Sabha and the new government mean to them? That nothing will change and that nobody can he held accountable. Taking ownership is outlandish for this ilk. There are innumerable such instances in our pockmarked society, geography and history. All courtesy Right to Get Away!
THE RIGHT TO GET AWAY OUTBEATS DIVINE RIGHT TO RULE COMPREHENSIVELY.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.