Enduring images of democracy, a few shameful ones too

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 01 Mei 2014 | 21.16

Rajesh Kalra
01 May 2014, 11:56 AM IST

As the seventh round of elections drew to a close, some enduring images of Indian democracy could be seen through the day.

Cricketer Parthiv Patel with a lady on a wheelchair, several others, old and young, on wheelchairs, old ladies being helped to the polling booth, and an almost endearing image of the BJP PM nominee's old mother Hiraba coming to the polling booth in an auto rickshaw.

As I said, these are the enduring images of Indian democracy, images that make us such a vibrant nation, images that make India a pride among the world's democratic nations.

But, there are always some incidents that make us feel ashamed. Incidents that seem so out of place in a democracy, especially at a time when we are exercising the democratic right that makes us so special – the VIP culture. .

If you have not already seen it, watch this video to know what I am saying.

Southern superstar and union minister Chiranjeevi, with his complete security apparatus, tried to jump the queue as he entered a polling booth in Hyderabad. As he moved confidently towards the booth, a youngster ticked him off, rather strongly. Chiranjeevi tried to argue but realising that the mood was firmly with the youngster who ticked him off, retraced, apologised and went back sheepishly to join the queue.

The other, perhaps even more shocking incident was that of Congress MP from Gurdaspur in Punjab, Pratap Singh Bajwa as he walks into the polling station to cast his vote. His haughty wife literally grabs an old, seemingly uneducated man who was getting himself verified inside the booth, and pushes him aside. And to sprinkle salt over wound, she poses for the photographers after this tasteless display of arrogance. Shameless!

The videos reveal a lot else. The importance of education! Chiranjeevi is ticked off by a youngster who is educated and can hold his own. The youngster seems to know his rights and has the confidence to take on a VIP and not get cowed down by either the reputation of the person he is taking on or the fact that there are gun-toting security guys surrounding him.

Contrast that with who Bajwa's wife pushes around. This man seems old, perhaps uneducated, and certainly sans the confidence to take on his area's MP.

That the VIPs are a law unto themselves in this country is not unknown, but a refreshing change can be seen. Several educated youngsters do not want to take all this lying down. In fact, I have often felt that those VIPs who throw their weight around in urban areas are actually harming their image. Gone are the days when a show of strength in this brazen manner would awe those around. It now results in ridicule. And the growing clout of the social media has helped.

It is this fear of educating the masses, perhaps, that the politicians venture no further than provide lip-service when it comes to this important aspect of a democracy. But, with a relentless media around, their disgusting acts are not just caught, but amplified instantly.

How one hopes the new set of people to govern us go beyond lip-service. For, we need people who take on these rogues not just when the cameras are on them, but even otherwise. The strongest weapon that anyone can provide them is education.

Will the new government oblige?


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