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”
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