“Religion-based quota won’t divide our people. Google will. That’s our Government’s logic.”
– Chetan Bhagat, Author
My friend Tejas Phatak (T Gates) recently wrote a blog – ‘Dot hai to Hot hai!’ I was thinking about the democracy, elections for couple of days and honestly laughing on the kind of stories and promises we hear from politicians. Specially during the election season.
With due respect to the ‘business’ of politicians, I do not see many changes QUOTED/STATED (I am not using words such as done and made) by them and work done often falls way behind the promises. Look outside your window you would ‘see’ examples. I remember a statement of Collector of Indore (somewhere in 1997-2000) – Mr Manoj Shrivastava – in Nai Dunia (Very famous news paper in MP specially in Indore) that “reason for development of Indore is the people – not the politicians – of the city“. This applies to any city in India I believe.
When we talk about ‘business’ of politicians, we hear categorical statements of religious bias too. During the seasons of elections you see ‘business of religion’ and ‘business of politics’ meet. I wonder according to the constitution of India where does religion get special status? I think in India every religion is given equal rights. Referring to the Wiki article Population statistics of India by religion I am wondering why we talk about religion based quota? If religion should be the basic Jains and Buddhists should get quota; is that happening? The very fundamental issue is – we want quota everywhere. I recall Lokpal debate everyone wanted quota there too.
There are responsible positions where we need people who are capable – irrespective of their caste, religion or region (specially we have seen my Prime Ministers from UP!). I understand the prime reason for quota system is to bring equality in society, should we consider other methods of bringing equality – creating entrepreneurs for example.
Tejas – voting in Mumbai has not been very encouraging. I think the reason for apathy in Mumbai is – people live here on a daily basis, we care more for our survival. How many politicians are solving problems of daily basis. I heard Arnab Goswami saying yesterday – ‘reason of Shiv Sena winning here could be the grass route work of the workers. They are available when there is a need’. Secondly, in Mumbai perhaps maximum jobs are in private sector where Quota statement does not make much sense for voting.
I support quality work irrespective of political affiliation. So the ‘business of politics’ and ‘business of religion’ should talk about the kind of work and developments happening for the guys next door like you and me!
3 Comments
Tejas Phatak · February 19, 2012 at 1:19 am
Just a few questions to ponder on –
1. How many educated people around you voted at the BMC elections ?
2. How many people around you , the ones you daily interacted with had their constituencies in Mumbai itself ?
3. How many people around you really think, that voting will make a difference ?
Last but not the least, you are right. We are selfish creatures. We think of our existence first. But this is because, politicians are not doing anything worthwhile. However, it does not mean that all of them are bad, which leads me to another question : How many people who voted/did not vote knew their candidates (just the names to the least ?) 🙂
KRD Pravin · February 19, 2012 at 1:30 am
Hey Tejas, voting turnout of 44% speaks itself for educated people not voting (more than 90% of Mumbai population is educated).
Of course few those who have registered in Mumbai voted. I do not have answer to question 3. To question 4, at least I knew who are the contenders (specially because few came and dropped their leaflets).
Rummuser · February 19, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Not to worry Pravin. Bharat is a Pavitra Bhoomi. From thousands of years, prayers of all kinds have been sent up to the Lord to protect us from ourselves, and He has always obliged. I do not see any reason why He should stop now!