Dr. Amit Kumar Pandey | raisinalive@gmail.com
Even decades after independence, we continue to experience a form of political dependency. The declining standards of politics have distanced the common people from political engagement, making the essence of democracy seem both harmful and burdensome. Whenever given the opportunity, some so-called political party members display a complete lack of integrity. Concepts like policy, political ethics, service to the community, and public sentiment seem to have vanished from their vocabulary.
According to the renowned socialist thinker, social worker, and senior journalist Gunjeshwari Prasad, the most impactful leaders have emerged from social movements. Unfortunately, there is a growing scarcity of genuine leaders today. The backbone of Indian politics seems to be weakening, and there is no indication of a turnaround. In the past, people had expectations from their leaders, but as casteism has poisoned our society, many now prefer leaders from their own communities, regardless of whether those leaders genuinely benefit their society.
To understand the pain expressed by late Sri Gunjeshwari prasad, a close associate of Lohia and Jayaprakash, we must put ourselves in his shoes. In his words, “The meaning of politics has changed; people have become family-oriented and greedy for money. As a result, both politics and politicians have become inaccessible to the common man. Today, we are witnessing the emergence of not true politicians but merely so-called leaders who don a facade of social service to seek political ground for their interests.”
Social movements have become a mere trend. Some self-proclaimed leaders believe that gathering a crowd of youth through inducements qualifies as a social movement, or blocking roads by transporting people in trains, trucks, and buses constitutes a movement. It is crucial to identify such elements and remain vigilant against them, as they mislead the youth under the guise of social movements to fulfil their own interests.
Social movements should not aim to cause harm but should be conducted for the welfare of the people. Participation in such movements must be voluntary, not coerced by inducements. The question remains: when will today’s India understand this?
The term “leader” is being tarnished due to the actions of a few, despite it once being a highly respected term. In discussions about the freedom struggle, we proudly mention leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose, referring to him as “Netaji” with great respect. However, today, every other person claims to be a leader. Political science suggests that leaders are those who stand at the forefront with their people during challenging circumstances, sharing in their joys and sorrows. Yet, today, a successful leader is often defined as one who remains as distant from the public as possible. Their aides handle all the good and bad deeds, while the leader’s only aim is clear to all of us.
A young student recently asked me whether our democracy is genuinely democratic. People who, for various reasons, remain outside their electoral constituencies during elections are deprived of their voting rights. Young people often must leave their villages in search of employment, leading to significant migration, particularly from rural areas in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and BIHAR, leaving few youths in the villages. The youth, who are primarily voters, become disenfranchised, raising the question of how they can claim to be part of this democracy. Prisoners cannot exercise their voting rights, yet mafia-like so-called leaders can contest elections from jail, indicating a flaw in our democracy. I found myself at a loss for words; to some extent, the student had a valid point.
The same situation applies to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Recently, questions have been raised about the relevance of the Rajya Sabha. If representatives from the largest party, elected directly by the people, pass a bill in the Lok Sabha that serves the public interest, why does it get stalled in the Rajya Sabha? How often do those in the Rajya Sabha engage with the public to understand their pain? Therefore, why do they have the right to obstruct bills that could benefit the public? How can we define democracy in this context? The same applies to the state assemblies and councils. Why is it necessary for the legislative council to endorse decisions made by the elected legislature? It is well-known that the members of the legislative council are predominantly from the ruling party, often appointed through monetary influence, subsequently assuming a decisive role. What kind of democracy is this?
The only way to rise above this low-level politics is for the public to become aware and conscious. We must break free from the chains of casteism and communalism and think about nation-building; otherwise, we will be forced to live a life of dependency even in an independent India.
In 2003, I had the opportunity to visit Darul Safa in Lucknow for the first time, accompanied by social thinker Gunjeshwari Prasad. Darul Safa is the residential complex of our elected representatives, equipped with all amenities. Coincidentally, I did not meet any legislators there; only their aides were present, filling the corridors with smoke. Gunjeshwari expressed his disappointment, stating, “Once, this place hosted learned legislators who would discuss the problems of their constituencies and the state of the nation. If someone passed by from their area, they would include that person in the discussions. Today, however, it seems that very few legislators spend the night here, as they have grown accustomed to five-star accommodations.”
Social movements cannot thrive within five-star comforts. They must be rooted in democracy’s core elements: for the people, by the people, and among the people. Only leaders who emerge from social movements can genuinely think about the needs of the country and its citizens. Today, we need remarkable leaders who will work for the benefit of the nation and its people. Discrimination based on caste and community will only end when we act in the interest of the public.
