Another
15th August is here, marking 65 years to the moment when a nation
had triumphed. What has followed the legacy has been both a boon and bane. It is
not pessimism but a reality to write here that the recent three-four years have
given an upper hand to the ‘bane’ elements.
So
there is much noise and less music. So there is much rubbish and less content. So
there are proclamations and empty promises splashed all across once again –
from full page advertisements in newspapers and extended-length clips on
television to the every nook and corner of lanes and streets – from ruling and
opponent mouthpieces to the industrial outfits to the wannabe politicos.
Welcome
to the present reincarnation of the India’s Independence Day – differently seen
by the political class than what the Indian populace perceives about it. And midst
all this, come two routine events – presidential address to the nation on the
eve of the Independence Day and prime-ministerial speech on the Independence Day.
I should say the language and style of Pranab’s speech was far more scholarly than
Manmohan’s but when it comes to the relevance of the content, both were in the
same league, all was like making castle in the air.
No
one can say when the politicians would stop making larger than life speeches
when they seldom look instilling confidence even in one needy life. Except style,
Pranab had no particular content in his speech in the context of the stark reality
of the day. Except on few parameters, the speech was more like touching all the
pointers briefly to complete the quorum and so can be left at bay comfortably.
But why to complain about that when it has become a tradition rarely broken. After
all, he cannot be expected to be a Rajendra Prasad, or a Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan, or a Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.
Among
other routine stuff enwrapped well in personal and historical anecdotes, he
chose to lecture us on sanctity of the democratic institutions devoting a
significant portion of his speech. He looked to point to this that we, the Indians,
need to have trust in our leaders (the political class he belongs to) and the ‘affiliated’
institutions.
Now
don’t we know India’s democratic institutions have become, even if temporarily,
synonymous with its corrupt leaders mingled across the party line. What else
can be a more scathing proof than leaders like Shivpal Yadav advising bureaucracy
that ‘if they work, they can steal a little’. Shivpal Yadav is Public Works Department
minister of Uttar Pradesh and brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is proving
lifeline of the United Progressive Alliance government these days.
When
politicians charged with murder, rape, loot, scam worth thousands of crores go
scot free, it is foolish to expect any action would be taken against the likes
of Shivpal Yadav. And Indian polity is crammed with multitude of politicians of
similar hue, be it BJD in Odisha, BJP and Congress in various states, TMC in
West Bengal, SP and BSP in Uttar Prafdesh, AIADMK and DMK in Tamil Nadu, Left
Front in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. Corruption and authoritarian nature
have become endemic among the ranks of all the political parties. See Mamata
Banarjee’s antics (read acts of intolerance
on even mild criticism).
Pranab’s
intellectual speech looks hollow in the context of this stark reality for it
does only lip-service to the most vital issue of the day – political and bureaucratic
corruption and doesn’t even mentioned growing political intolerance.
Dear
Pranab Babu, while quoting Mahatma Gandhi, could you think of the greed of the political
and bureaucratic class that has made
corruption the most widespread social malaise?
This
is indeed a crisis time for the country as it can be said safely that almost of
the politicians acquiring branches of state and central legislatures and its various
bureaucratic wings are seen as corrupt and increasingly elite and
authoritarian, scavenging on the taxpayers’ money. How can they be trusted then
as Pranab Babu advises? When suspicion runs so deep, trust eventually becomes
the casualty.
And
apathy of such a political class is bolstered by poorly managed civil society
run anti-corruption movements like India saw in the last 16 months. It is a war
cry that India needs effective voices of dissent against the increasing
political and bureaucratic corruption and political nepotism and intolerance. We
indeed need a second freedom struggle, from the clutches of the corrupt and elitist
polity. But the failure of the anti-corruption movement has again created a
void on this issue emboldening the political and bureaucratic class.
Pranab’s
speech had hangover of his recent political past that pushed him to go at length
in justifying the political class in the garb of democratic institutions.
Remember
Pranab Babu, we all Indians are not treated equal and the political class you
hail from is the chief culprit in taking the common Indian to this mess.
Beyond
that, his speech was a show sounding like coming from a president of India who
is well read, seasoned and highly experienced. Some of the stats mentioned like
India’s output in world manufacturing in 18th-20th
centuries could well be the collectibles provided we come to know the
methodology and exercise in reaching at the figures.
But,
overall, Pranab looked charming on the screen while delivering the address. Listening
to him was at-least not boring.
On the other hand, Manmohan was dull and routine as usual, inspiring
nothing but a reaction on some more empty promises.
To continue..