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India: Return of the Common Man?

on December 10, 2008 6:28 AM | 0

Historically, Indians have always been susceptible to the idea of 'the celebrity'. As a collective population, we need very little evidence of power or success, in any profession, to gleefully consent for the elevation of an individual into a sacred social stratosphere. In particular, political power brings with it such a sense of fascination that, with the right amount of media manipulation, making headlines nationwide on a consistent basis isn't difficult. The adulation and undivided attention of millions is a given for any politician worth his or her salt. But all this might be slowly changing.

The political class of this still-evolving democracy has thrived on illiteracy; a common feature amongst the majority of its voting population. However, unlike scientific or cultural illiteracy, it is essentially the spatial unawareness of millions, who live in rural and semi-urban India, which has propelled politicians into a special societal enclosure, where few can ever reside or even visit.

The West's understanding of India might be that of a booming economy with immense potential, but for the common man in the small towns and villages of the country, the focus is on roti, kapda aur makaan (food, clothing and shelter). The expectations, thus, from the political class have, at best, been very basic. Nonetheless, even the most basic of expectations have always come with a caveat - ensuring national security.

For a country forged out of a prolonged, and often violent, independence movement, and one that has had its contemporary history defined by altercations with neighbouring Pakistan, national security has always been high on the political agenda in independent India. And those who run the country have always been, by and large, expected to deliver on this front.

In the past, they haven't always succeeded. The attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 was testimony to that fact. However, unlike the recent assault on Mumbai, the Parliament attacks were sharp and short, thereby not allowing the electronic media to engage in extended live coverage of the event. The Government, too, had been much quicker and more decisive in its reaction. Parliamentarians had worked across party lines; a concerted response was staged and the public's fears were assailed. The country was certainly less shocked then than it is this time around.

The 62-hour media marathon that was the November 2008 Mumbai attack has done more to erode trust in the incumbent Congress government than any other event, since it came to power in 2004. A government that was already viewed as 'soft on terror' was effectively crushed by the events of last month. However, what could well be the final nail in the coffin for the credibility of the political class in India is the fact that it hasn't been resolute or united in its actions since Mumbai.

Not only did the Congress government conveniently point the finger at Pakistan even before the terrorist assault had been completely contained, it hasn't, as yet, shown any indications of having a concrete plan of action. Moreover, the main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), hasn't taken up the initiative to offer a comprehensive solution to India's terror menace either. In the ensuing mudslinging, the historical fascination of the Indian populace with its political class is slowly, but steadily, evaporating.

In what could be a dangerous phenomenon, especially before the country goes to elections early next year, there is open discussion, in the media and otherwise, that India's politicians just aren't doing enough. Not only are they obviously lacking in legislative and enforcement prowess, they are also using up resources designated for the common citizen. For instance, the elite National Security Guard commandos, who saved countless lives in Mumbai, spend most of their time and resources in escorting and protecting politicians, many of whom have little real-time lawmaking significance.

A disgusted, and petrified, population is now reacting. Not only have thousands attended candlelight vigils, prayer meetings and protest marches across the country, but countless, formal and informal, citizens groups are being formed. Public interest litigation (PIL) cases and Right to Information Act (RTI) applications are being filed in massive numbers. The people of India want to know what went wrong and how the policymakers will ensure that it won't happen again. 'Choose to vote for no-one' emails, describing the constitutional provision allowing for a person to vote for none of the candidates, are doing the rounds. The vote is being projected as a weapon for mass dissent.

India's politicians, many of whom have comfortably wallowed for years, must now come round and act without delay. Otherwise, by as early as May next year, they could risk becoming common men and women once again.

What do you think?

Devjyot Ghoshal in India:

user-pic Devjyot Ghoshal is a freelance journalist based in Kolkata (Calcutta), India...

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