Anupam- The Dreamer

Some people in this world are amazing visionaries. They observe the world and make prophecies which hold true even after they are no more. One of such legends was the poet Sahir Ludhianvi, who wrote beautiful lines in mid-20^th century, which goes as follows:

ये महलों, ये तख्तो, ये ताजों की दुनियाँ

ये इंसान के दुश्मन समाजों की दुनियाँ

ये दौलत के भूखे रवाजों की दुनियाँ

ये दुनियाँ अगर मिल भी जाए तो क्या है…

These lines seem to be truer than ever in today’s scenario. You look around and everywhere you will find people hankering for power like no other. And power means power of any sort, particularly political, by hook or by crook! If power is acquired by hook, then it is fine because it gives legitimacy to that power. However, if it is acquired by crook (or crooked means), then as Sahir Ludhianvi says even if one gets such power, then what is the use of such power (ये दुनियाँ अगर मिल भी जाए तो क्या है…).

Political morality, as per Gandhiji, was that “politics without principles is a sin”. But, everywhere it can be easily seen that “politics of principles” is dying a slow death and it is just a matter of time when the word “principles” would be obliterated from the dictionary of politics. But, isn’t the definition of politics says it is a way to acquire power? Yes, indeed! But, the manner in which this power is acquired determines the extent of legitimacy the acquirer has in the eyes of the common populace. In the monarchy form of government, the legitimacy of the political power flowed from the blood relations to the royal family. In democracy, however, the legitimacy flows from the sanctity of the electoral process and the fairness with which the political party candidates behave to get the power. Through years of reforms, the electoral process is more or less robust in a large democracy like ours, and this is not a domain of discussion here. The point of major concern is the conduct of politicians seeking to acquire power.

Here is why the topic chosen is “Race to the bottom- for- race to the top”, which means that for winning the elections (race to the top), it is now commonly understood that one has to stoop as low as he/she can (race to the bottom) for getting there. Just before the elections, there are all sorts of electoral malpractices in open public view (there is no need to mention what are those malpractices). Firebrand leaders make vitriolic speeches with impunity to woo their votebank, throwing all cautions to the wind. They race to stoop lower than their closest rival. The Constitution, the laws, the rules and conventions, all are there to put fetters to the “illegitimate means” that can be adopted to entice the voters. But, who cares! The leaders now say and do whatever they want, wherever they want, however they want, and to whomsoever they want. And there are supporters, who will always say that “wah! Bahut sahi bola hai” and vote for such leaders. And when they win election, do you think that such leaders will work for the people? No way!!!! They will work for their own selfish interests. Any benefit to the public can happen, if it is incidental to their own interests, otherwise not.

The same trend is rising across the world! You can see the elections in developed countries like USA and UK, for example. Hate mongering is on the rise, and sections of people are pitted against the other section, for selfish interests of the leaders. The global concerns of humanity like fair trade, environmental concerns, equity in development, are up for a toss, if they are not aligned to the selfish interests of some leaders. They just have one concern, that is to win elections, by hook or by crook. They don’t care about legitimacy of the process or the outcome (Remember 6 Jan, when some people climbed over Capitol Hill over elections results). All this puts a dent on the democratic legacy of a country. Democracy, is not just about the rule of majority over minority. Democracy is not just about the electoral process. Democracy, is rather providing the right environment for an individual to achieve his/her maximum potential, achieved through implementation of policies which are there for common good of all. It is a common feeling in an individual that the government of the day is concerned about me and working for my welfare. But, if the politicians who are elected have no faith in the democratic processes, either before getting elected or after getting elected, then how come they can be expected to care for the common (wo)man.

This is not to say that there are no political leaders, who abide by the principles come what may. But, this breed is getting “critically endangered” and is on the verge of “extinction”. We need to take some serious measures to protect them. It is often said that in a democracy, people get the government that they deserve. And everywhere in the world people deserve the best one, which works for enriching the quality of life of every human in the best possible manner, regardless of his/her background. Democracy, is the most evolved form of government that humanity has established and it is also the most difficult form of government to adhere to its true spirit. It has to be cared, protected and nurtured through the best of the values and practices that mankind has come to know till date. It may sound grossly utopian, but democracy is all about utopian dreams for humanity, some of which we have even come to realize through collective efforts. The race to the top is not a race of only a few individuals, rather it is a race to top for all persons together. We either swim together, or sink together. Period!