QUESTION POPULISM
    Date :31-Jan-2025

rhyme and reason new
 
By KARTIK LOKHANDE :
 
Several announcements clearly fall in the category of freebies or doles. Still, there appears to be a sinister competition among the political parties in this regard. There was a time when the freebies were viewed as something bad and harmful to the progress of the country. That does not appear to be the case now. More saddening is the fact that the people of Delhi, who have voted for the AAP’s previous promises previously, do not appear to realise that doles also come at a cost. 
 
POLITICSistheartof thepossible,theysay. But, while making one thing possible, several otherthingsgetcom promisedforalong,longtime. Unfortunately,given political scenario in India, the focus of all the parties appears to be only on making things convenient to them possible. In the process, they are resorting to cheap populism. No doubt, certain sections of the society are happy, but most are unaware of the future dangers to overall social health. Political class, which usually operates with a long-term vision of ‘five years’, may not be bothered about the consequences of short-sighted actions. Hence, the responsibility to correct the course falls on the shoulders of the citizens, particularly the voters.
 
The most prominent, and ugly, display of the populist measures is currently in place during the campaign for the elections to Delhi Legislative Assembly. All the political parties, right from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to Congress to smaller contestants, are busy in making announcements to woo the voters. Several announcements clearly fall in the category of freebies or doles. Still, there appears to be a sinister competition among the political parties in this regard. There was a time when the freebies were viewed as something bad and harmful to the progress of the country. That does not appear to be the case now. More saddening is the fact that the people of Delhi, who have voted for the AAP’s previous promises previously, do not appear to realise that doles also come at a cost. Of course, there are saner people in Delhi who are disturbed by the freebie culture sweeping the political landscape there.
 
They realise that when something is free the beneficiary is the product for the political class. In a democracy, nothing may be more shameful than citizens voluntarily adorning the role of voters who could be purchased with the lure of financial assistance announced ahead of elections. Those who are disturbed with this undesirable phenomenon, often stop at only expressing helplessness. At the most they resort to social media posts. A few among them finally choose to press the ‘None of the Above’ or NOTA button on the electronic voting machine. Some others speak of not voting at all. But, none of them realises that such exercises do not actually bring about a desired change in the electoral conduct of politicians as well as people. Even if some do not vote or press NOTA button, they do not affect the outcome of the elections. Because, India adopts the ‘first past the post’ system under which whosoever secures more votes out of the total votes polled, is declared winner in the election.
 
Hence, such armchair elitism is of no use when it comes to effecting a change. Similarly, the publication of criminal records of candidates in the fray in an election does not make any impact other than evoking hot debates over tea, coffee, or drinks in posh drawing rooms. This is because of the insensitive and short-sighted approach taken by the political class over the years. The political class has realised that emotive issues make an impact on masses and provokes them to vote for ‘X’ or ‘Y’ party. So, some leader speaks of ‘Constitution in danger’ and‘proportional representation’ based on caste lines by subtly planting the pitch of deprivation among various sections of society, and some people rally behind him without verifying his claims. So, some leader promises doles and then shifts the responsibility for financial handling of Delhi to the Central Government, and people do not question his next announcement. So, some party releases manifestos and makes promises that are repackaged freebies, and people conveniently forget the ‘revadi’ comments made by the party’s leaders. So, some parties brand everyone else as ‘petty bourgeoisie’ and people do not verify if their allegations have truth. So, the sympathisers of banned radical organisations call for overthrow of democratically elected government in the name of ‘revolution’ but the emotionally charged people surrender their ability to foresee destruction of social fabric.
 
This happens so on and so forth… Then, what should be the solution to the scourge of political opportunism? Beyond the abovementioned social media cry or pressing NOTA or not voting at all, people must stay Indians first. Rather than allowing themselves to be used as an electorate divided along caste, religion, language, ethnicity, gender, beneficiary identities, people must organise themselves into peaceful groups committed to the cause of holding the political class accountable. People who can afford not taking benefits of government schemes must genuinely refuse to be impressed by the announcement of doles.
 
Those who truly believe (not just pay politically motivated lip-service) in the Constitutional values and teachings of the eminent founders of the Indian nation over centuries, must refuse to get emotive when any politician speaks divisive language. Those really committed to the cause must organise and stage protests against freebies and fake narratives at the offices of all the parties and all the leaders across the country, to build pressure on the political class to shun playing dividing games. Of course, this is easier said than done. But, if there is any other way to curb the degenerate political culture of freebies, fake narratives, and emotive issues, people are most welcome to express those, without any political intention.Will people do this, at least?