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| Arvind Kejriwal and friends (Photo credit: vm2827) |
What's the easiest argument against working for reform? By pre-declaring it a lost cause. Saves a lot of effort and a lot of stress. Joining in on the constant chorus of negativity has dual benefits. Of not feeling guilty while simultaneously deriding those who tried unsuccessfully with a condescending "I told you so".
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The counting of votes for the 2013 Delhi assembly elections has begun. It will determine the future of one of those who tried. That an upstart political outfit like the Aam Aadmi Party could shake the concretized foundations of the Congress and BJP was laughable... not so very long ago. It would be fair to say that things have changed.
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That politics is a tough place for good, honest men to survive is an accepted fact. The problem is the strange criticism that seems to be the primary one against Arvind Kejriwal these days. Look at him, they say. He is playing politics!
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Yes, he is playing. It's tough to see what's wrong with that. Simply put, democratic politics is a giant popularity contest where the SMS votes are replaced by the somewhat longer queues at the voting booths. The difference is that victory in one leads to a studio album with a steady career in New Year's Eve programme performances; in the case of the other, it is the not-so-minor opportunity to make history.
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Just to clarify, indulging in the greatest scam since the country came into existence is not making history. Gifting your loyal 'donors' a mining license is not making history. Giving your kids permission to beat up a hapless toll booth attendant who committed the travesty of asking for the toll is not making history. The apt word for all of the above in Hindi is chindigiri a.k.a cheapness.
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Democratic leaders are fond of referring to themselves, albeit tongue-in-cheek, as servants of the people. The truth is they are for all practical purposes, our kings and queens. In them are invested the hopes and dreams of tens of thousands of their subjects. Every second that these leaders spend in plotting how to rob & steal is a second lost in achieving tasks worthy of the power invested in their hands.
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Being a democratic leader is the biggest challenge there is. Making decisions that will affect generations to come is no cakewalk, even for those (especially for those?) with unselfish intentions. Then there is the matter of making your party members see the light, followed by the nightmare of making the opposition and the public come around. Figuring it all (or at least some of it) out is an ego boost worth dedicating a lifetime to. Also, it happens to be the stuff that greatness is made of.
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Whatever be the outcome of the Delhi elections, it would by no means be a failure for the likes of Kejriwal and crew. For far too long, we have looked away from the 'dirty' world of politics, blaming the caste-religion-region leanings of our 'ignorant' masses for the devious and corrupt leaders that our system churns up. Cold, hard facts say that democracy gives us the leaders we deserve. If it ain't working, there's only us to blame.
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Kuchh nahin badlegaa? Kuchh nahin karoge, toh kuchh kaise badlegaa?
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