Rohit Kapoor
Real life story, as narrated by an eminent tax lawyer (Nani A Palkhivala) in one of his annual budget speeches (used to be delivered almost as a ritual) reads, – In several parts of Africa when the rains do not come, the tribal chief conducts a ritual dance watched by the anxious members of the tribe. The dance does not bring rains, but it consoles and satisfies the people who feel that their chief is doing something to alleviate their misery. Election promises are made to serve the same purpose as the tribal chief’s rain dance. And hence reflecting in a broader perspective or with deeper vision, the tribal ritual ought not to be brushed aside as a poor comparison or analogy.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a relentless champion of human rights and staunch believer in democracy, he said: “Democracy is not a form of government, but a form of social organization.” In “Prospects of Democracy in India” he analyzed Indian Democracy and said a democracy is more than a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living. The roots of democracy are to be searched in the social relationship, in the terms of associated life between the people who form a society. He believed that in democracy revolutionary changes in the economic and social life of the people are brought about without bloodshed. The conditions for that are (i) there should not be glaring inequalities in society, that is, privilege for one class, (ii) the existence of an opposition, (iii) equality in law and administration, (iv) observance of constitutional morality, (v) no tyranny of the majority, (vi) moral order of society, and (vii) public conscience.
However, Electoral democracy in India has been reduced to merely a process for occupying political power and high positions, sorry to say, with hardly any effort for public good. Do the elected ones truly represent the aspirations of citizens of this country? Opposition A or B has been reduced to a group in waiting for assuming power in next elections. Society remains divided on caste, color, religion etc. Economic disparities continue to increase. Morality or conscience by and large has become articles of exhibition. Order in society is still a hope. Safety of its territory remains vulnerable. Economy remains freaky. Education and health is becoming more and more for rich and powerful. Natural resources underutilized and misutilized. You know it all. Suffice it to say, India has not progressed well.
Once gain this time ‘Dream Merchants’ are there with the same items in fetching wraps to woo us. What option do I have except to believe and again hope:
” Naye waadon ka jo daala hai wo jaal achha hai
Rehnumao ne kaha hai ke ye saal achha hai
Dil ke khush rakhne ko ghalib ye khayal achha hai”.
(The author is an advocate)
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