Every now and then, we encounter politicians or media representatives proclaiming that India is the mother of democracy. However, it is essential to question the actual impact of this democracy on our lives. What are the shortcomings associated with democratic governance? Have we taken the time to reflect on this?
Merely possessing the right to vote is insufficient; it is crucial to consider the values that guide societal voting and the factors influencing an individual's decision to pursue a political career or the choice of representatives by the general populace. Numerous societal challenges are contributing to widespread distress, including dwindling water resources, deteriorating air quality, and the escalating costs of healthcare and education on a per capita basis. Additionally, the promotion of caste-based considerations over meritocracy, further complicate the landscape.
Let's analyse few of the issues, underlying.
India is a remarkably diverse country where languages, deities, cultures, and attire can vary significantly within just a few kilometers. Individuals often develop a strong attachment to their local customs, which is a natural inclination that fosters regionalism, overshadowing the concept of national unity. This does not imply that citizens do not identify as Indian; rather, their voting behavior tends to be influenced by regional affiliations, with political preferences often shaped by the leader's language, attire, and appearance, rather than their vision for the future of the nation’s children. Concerns about healthcare access, such as securing a hospital bed, are frequently overshadowed by fervent expressions of religious and caste identities. This dynamic ultimately detracts from societal progress, as the quality of leadership that arises from such divisions tends to adversely affect the entire community.
Environmental concerns
Every October or November we see the poorest Air Quality at major cities of India, and also generally poor other than these months as well. Government not able to control stubble burning, buying rice and wheat unnecessarily despite full godowns is nothing but shows not only the downfall of but the biggest demerit of a democracy. One may say that it is the people who are not listening, than what about others? Who are doing nothing wrong and just want clear air to breathe. If population start supporting short term things and put the long term future ideas on the side and elect politicians who do not know how to get right things done is quiet a worry site and stresses the point of paralysed democracy.
If larger population start exploiting the system than the leaders are expected to exploit it more, in return what happens is the situation we see in whole of India especially the Northern India with respect to Air Quality.
One cannot blame the state government or the central government, there's a larger issue underlying it. Without taking away that it's their responsibility but that will not solve the issue.
People are not ready to listen and going towards regionalism rather than thinking of everyone around or the country at large.
The larger population has become a vote bank who in turn are electing people who support corruption and paralysed governance. This has made the honest people feel disgust about being honest and wandering on why should they be thinking of growth and welfare of others when the people who are short-sighted are getting all the success (i.e. money and standard of living). This is nothing but a paralysed democracy.
Reservation system.
The case of Pooja Khedkar was a live example of how you can exploit the system and sit on powerful post despite having the least merit. That case killed many dreams and broke many hearts. She used allegedly fake disability and fake case reservation certificate despite being ineligible.
The reality is that it's not only Pooja Khedkar who had done that but there are so many examples both at political and beaurucratic level that people had made it to the powerful positions through some 'Jugaad' or 'Money'.
The current reservation system needs a complete revamp and need to be relooked up on. If there's a section of people who feel betrayed by the system despite having merit and done their hardwork is nothing but killing dreams and a nation can never grow by dishonest or less Meritorious population sitting at big positions while the honest one had to make just a survival.
Now another reality is that, right now..no political party has the will to do any radical changes in the reservation policy (even a small changes) because of people itself.
If you as a reader are thinking why we are putting everything on the people, that's because it's always collective effort that do the good or bad, us blaming only the elected leaders will do nothing..those same leaders will advocate for progressive policies if they are voted because of those stands. But right now what we are doing is running after reservation, free electricity, free 1000 rupees, non Meritorious government jobs etc etc.
Conclusion
These examples are just a tip of the whole fractured system we are harboring together. But we need to understand just talking about it is not enough but we have to channelise our energies in making it correct in order to build a just society. That respect the rich and poor alike. The respect a government official or leader and small worker alike. That respect the human and not caste.
Stay tuned for more.
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