Age old traditions dictate that in a healthy democracy, the lawmakers while being divided along ideology lines will always have the nation's interest, uppermost in their minds. No dilution is possible on that score. Friendship cuts across party barriers, which comes handy in case an impasse is reached in the legislature on any particular issue.
However, from the trends and behavioural patterns of the present, one wonders as to whether such healthy practices are relevant anymore. One increasingly realises that quite a few of the 'lawmakers-in-the-making' can go to any extent to prove their loyalty to the Gandhi family(In the case of the Congress) or to their allegiance to Hindutva(As in the case of the BJP. Unfortunately, how much of it cuts ice with Modi, who harps on deliverance, is open to discussion). Consequently, pouring scorn and insult at political opponents, scoring brownie points, has become the order of the day.
Another aspect is that if someone has a point against any current happening, it should be rightly and roundly criticised taking care to offer an alternative too! That, in essence, is ethical opposition!!
I was appalled at a panelist on one of the news channels being ecstatic about the fact that the BJP could not begin an account in the Kashmir region of Jammu and Kashmir - while making inroads into the Jammu and Ladakh areas - as the results of the recently concluded elections unfolded! It's people with such narrow minded thinking that are the bane of today's politics.
It's my firm belief that every right thinking politician, in fact, must give serious thought to the following against this backdrop:-
(a) Was the rout of the other parties due to incumbency(which is but natural), candidates who did
not inspire confidence in their ability to deliver(was their winnability factor considered at all?)
or due to any other factor?
(b) Is every other religion an anathema to the people of the valley?
(c) Was it the fear of the militants' retaliation in case of a variance in their electoral choices?
(d) Was it the fear of the repeal of Art 370 of the Indian Constitution, if the BJP were to be given
power?
(e) And finally, what steps should be taken forthwith to improve the situation?
Healthy traditions and fair play coupled with principled politics is the need of the hour.
Tailpiece.
India needs to go a long way towards being a developed nation and assume its rightful leadership in the international arena. We cannot afford to lose time!
However, from the trends and behavioural patterns of the present, one wonders as to whether such healthy practices are relevant anymore. One increasingly realises that quite a few of the 'lawmakers-in-the-making' can go to any extent to prove their loyalty to the Gandhi family(In the case of the Congress) or to their allegiance to Hindutva(As in the case of the BJP. Unfortunately, how much of it cuts ice with Modi, who harps on deliverance, is open to discussion). Consequently, pouring scorn and insult at political opponents, scoring brownie points, has become the order of the day.
Another aspect is that if someone has a point against any current happening, it should be rightly and roundly criticised taking care to offer an alternative too! That, in essence, is ethical opposition!!
I was appalled at a panelist on one of the news channels being ecstatic about the fact that the BJP could not begin an account in the Kashmir region of Jammu and Kashmir - while making inroads into the Jammu and Ladakh areas - as the results of the recently concluded elections unfolded! It's people with such narrow minded thinking that are the bane of today's politics.
It's my firm belief that every right thinking politician, in fact, must give serious thought to the following against this backdrop:-
(a) Was the rout of the other parties due to incumbency(which is but natural), candidates who did
not inspire confidence in their ability to deliver(was their winnability factor considered at all?)
or due to any other factor?
(b) Is every other religion an anathema to the people of the valley?
(c) Was it the fear of the militants' retaliation in case of a variance in their electoral choices?
(d) Was it the fear of the repeal of Art 370 of the Indian Constitution, if the BJP were to be given
power?
(e) And finally, what steps should be taken forthwith to improve the situation?
Healthy traditions and fair play coupled with principled politics is the need of the hour.
Tailpiece.
India needs to go a long way towards being a developed nation and assume its rightful leadership in the international arena. We cannot afford to lose time!
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