Indian Politics-A Government By, Of and

For the People???

India is the largest democracy in the world. It’s the most diversified nation with more
than a billion people living with communal cacophony among each other. We have
the longest written constitution among any sovereign nation with 117,369 words
written in the English version. There is an elected government which is suppose to
work for a period of five years under the citation that it is a government of , for and
by the people. The above statements make our political system look like a very
gruesome establishment which would be dealing with the requisites affairs
accordingly. But as usual things are not going the way they should.

In a government ‘By’ the people there should be elected representatives who are
nominated by the votes of the common people. It should be an unbiased, unforced
and uninfluenced choice. But with the election season round the corner we can just
see how fairly we are practising this. Each political party is trying to influence its
voters by one or the other way. The motto is to get the maximum number of votes by
hook or by crook.

The election campaign launched by the parties is more a star show than a proper
election rallies. Just recently a strong political party in U.P roped in a top Bollywood
star to campaign for its party. What convictions this party will stand for when it signs
a star who is himself famous for his wrong involvements. The voters are influenced
with power and money both. Media is constantly showing footages of politicians
distributing money and other souvenirs to people. This blatant ignorance of election
norms shows the desperation of the parties for the votes.

‘Fair elections’ is what is being promised to the people and disregarding which booth
capturing and various other unlawful methods are being used. People in many
regions are being issued fake voters cards and genuine citizens are not able to access
their right. Capturing of the polling booth or influencing the counting process is a
common practice. Votes are being divided on the basis of communal speeches. Just
recently a young leader from the Gandhi family gave a very provoking speech
disturbing the communal harmony.

We also boast of having a government ‘Of’ the people. India is a diversified nation
and it shows in the various political parties we have. But not many of these parties
are of the people. Apart from some smaller individual parties and groups Indian
politics is mainly a tussle between a select few parties. The NDA, Congress, The
communist parties, SP and certain allies are the major players. The elections are
fought among them and then finally a coalition government is formed. From last few
years we are witnessing a hung parliament and no single party emerging as the
winner.
These parties too are managed as big profit organisations with less efforts being put
in for public welfare work. The party people are selected not by the amount of social
work they do but by their hold and influence over a particular region. Common
people have no way to put forth their views. It’s just the ‘Ageless’ netas which
formulate the laws no matter they abide by them. Stronger positions in the party are
transferred from generation to generation irrespective of the candidate deserving it.
The political powers are inherited and they remain till eternity and the parties are
managed as family business.

And finally it is suppose to be a government For the people. But the masses are far
from reaping any benefits. Any change in the political party is welcomed by the
common man as a new sign of hope but slowly the system crushes their dreams.
Rights of the civilian are put at stake day in and day out. All this shout of India
Shinning is a mere election gimmick. The poor are becoming poorer and rich are
becoming richer day by day. Right from the admission in a primary school to a job
promotion it’s not your talent but your ‘approach’.

Apart from the internal problems the international affairs of our nation are too
grossly mismanaged. The Kashmir issue still haunts the people in the regions near it
but the no firm stand has been taken by the government so far. The Indo-Pak tension
has continued since Independence and the disputes doesn’t seem to be settling in
near future. The issues regarding the national security are supposed to be a prime
concern of a nation. But now and then national security is breached and terrorist
roaming free on the streets spreading terror. The latest 26/11 attacks and the stand of
the government thereafter shows that we need a better and a firm control.

The newly elected president of U.S, Mr. Barack Obama has showed his inclination
towards stronger ties with our nation. But he must be looking for a better deal in
calling us ‘A Close Ally’. The need of the hour is more intensive youth involvement in
the politics rather than just criticizing it. Active participation in affairs regarding the
state is needed. And finally a hope that if we believe in our convictions and stand firm
then we can definitely have a government that will be By, Of and For the People.

“Old order changeth yielding place to new.”