Sanak

The great Indian political league

Politics is one dimension of an ordinary Indian which is the most insensitive one. Whether it is attack on the country or a defeat in the cricket field, we find politics in everything, every sphere.

From Mamta di taking political mileage of KKR’s victory in IPL and stealing the limelight turning it into a subject of Bengal’s pride as opposed to that of a club’s which doesn’t have anything to do with Bengal. Also there has been a case of taking advantage of Dr. Ambedkar’s cartoon row.

Of all the recent political activities, one which baffled me the most is the controversy around Shankar’s Dr. Ambedkar Cartoon.

When we look at the whole development, we find it rather ridiculous. The cartoon if looked from the prospect of its timing, it was a very appropriate one, for it showed Dr. Ambedkar riding a snail named “Constitution” which symbolises its slow pace. Baba sahib had a whip in his hand that shows Ambedkar want to steer the process. Then there is Pandit Nehru also having a whip in his hand and trying to accelerate the snail. That meant both Pandit Nehru and Dr. Ambedkar tried to accelerate the process. This is no means derogatory to Baba sahib. Compare the same situation in today’s world when everyday there are cartoons in the tabloids mocking the politician. What if the current leaders assume the demi god stature in the coming future, and the cartoon appear then, would it be inappropriate. Why can’t our leaders take humour in a sporting way?

Although in the core sense it was not the cartoon row which enraged me the most but it was the casteist angle given to the controversy. How a cartoon is derogation to the whole Dalit class. Why can’t we see Dr Ambedkar as a leader of the masses, not only as a leader of the dalits? Baba saheb was a great statesman, a great human being. He drafted the constitution taking the masses into mind not only the underprivileged. Yes provided the time period and plight of the dalits at that time, he has done a remarkable job. But epitomising him as leader of only a single class is not in the better interest of the country. If we look back at history we’ll find that beside Dr. Ambedkar, it was Mahatma Gandhi who had done immense work for the upliftment of the Harijans, but as he was from an upper caste, he is not an epitome.

The thing which is very amusing is that in this country, if all the politicians are rated in this manner, then the country will fall into pieces. Let us look at some scenarios:

1.       Gandhi-Nehru family would be the leaders of only Kashmiris, the traders and lately of the Anglo Indians, NRIs

2.       Dr Manmohan, besides coming from North-eastern states would be leader of only the Punjabis, though the Punjabis will relent it.

3.       Pranab da will be a leader of only Bengalis. Though I doubt that he is not Mamta di.

4.       PC, P.Chidambaram, not Priyanka Chopra will be a leader of only the Tamilians

Though at present Federal system of govt. it is already happening, but given the logic the day is not far enough for the country to fall.

Definitely as a sensitive Indian we do not want that to happen to this country, but our politicians don’t seem to give it a thought. They believe in “divide and rule” policy.

Regionalism is also eating us from inside. Regionalism is the reason why Pratibha Patil’s appointment as president was not rejoiced much for her decades long social service, the same was rejoiced for her appointment as the first Maharashtrian to be honoured.

On the same lines is the veteran P.A. Sangma’s campaign for presidency. Why should he campaign as “the first dalit from north east as president”. Why can’t he back his campaign with decades long service to the motherland, his political career, his untainted career? His stint as a lokshabha speaker?

The answer lies in the fact that:

“Ours is a country where caste, religion and region comes before merit”