The Indian Autho-cracy
Let me try and explain the title at the first instance here.
- The title stems from the deepest Indian desire of us wanting a decisive leader.
- From us wanting a leader that shows strength in every decision- right or wrong.
- From us wanting a leader that is not marred down or cajoled into petty politics.
That gives the desire for Authority. Ergo an Authoritarian Leader.
And when we elect ( And re-elect) this sort of a person through our votes with a clear mandate and a majority, we are bestowing upon him or her our urge to be ́governed´ with authority.
This in itself is some sort of a paradox. Because governments govern. They don’t rule over us with ́Authority´. However the more we keep our eyes and ears open, the more we see the burden that is bestowed upon us to ́follow authority blindly ́.
A burden for a strong person might not be that much of a strain. But when one becomes older or weaker, it’s obvious that the burden does have a strain on us. That’s the human evolution of natural wear and tear. Then how does the Leadership not realize that the burden bestowed upon the citizens of a country can not be tolerated for ´Eternity´?
For every moderate Indian on our motherland, there is another Indian with a completely different viewpoint. Let’s not get into the debate of the view point. There are enough shenanigans on our media to highlight this point with a loud thump.
My bone of contention is does every moderate Indian who doesn’t believe in caste, creed reservation and such have to be a shamed Indian? Does he or she have to be ridiculed by others? Isn’t this the rise to Autocracy? And the slow and poisoned death of Democracy?
Yes we were ́ruled ́ by a complete corrupt set of politicians who have filled their coffers with illicit wealth.
Yes we have paid the price of high taxes and bureaucratic limp for the last 70 years.
But as everyone we entitled ourselves for a change.
We entitled ourselves by using our ¨democratic right to vote ̈ to make that change and give way to a new Government.
But that right cannot be gagged and butchered in the name of loyalty to the leadership.
We are not the opposition. We are the people of this country.
For eons, us Indians have paid the price for our patience and candour.
I’m trying to figure out why we as Indians have had this urge for a strong urge for not thinking our steps through?
Why not do our research for our own good as to whom we should let Govern us, so we can go about doing our jobs, make a livelihood, make better futures for our children?
Why do we have to always think someone should be ruling over us? Only then can we walk a straight line?
No we are not what we were 70, 100 or 500 years ago. History is a great catalyst to evolution. Whether we like it or not!
For better or for worse, we have to live with our decisions. But that doesn’t imply that we cannot learn from our mistakes. Yes we erred the second time. But as they say, Third time’s a charm????
I sincerely hope so and think so.
