Who wants to be a Politician?

Uttam Prakash

“We would prefer a Dog visit our house than a Politician”; “US Politicians from Yale Ours from Jail” read placards in Mumbai on 3rd December by angry helpless citizens protesting the Mumbai attacks. The most startling was the sms doing rounds on these very days that read “Just think who is more dangerous those who came through boats or those who came through votes?”

Sometimes one wonders if it is the same land where politicians like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bhagat Singh ever existed. Is it the same country where people sacrificed one meal on the call of the Prime Minister during difficult times of war? One also wonders if it is the same land where people enthusiastically faced brutal lathi charge responding to calls of “satyagraha”.

It is time to urgently introspect about where we have gone wrong; because there are serious questions about the way our value systems have come to being. There are serious issues about our much flaunted “biggest democratic system” claims that we do not forget to drop soon after we cross Immigration. And not to forget there are serious implications about the way we shape our lives amidst repeated acts of political ridicule without considering ways towards corrective action. "Politicians' Bashing" that has become a convenient way to vent out our frustrations may become a routine, making us potentially more vulnerable.

One of the blogs of a youth Deeksha Jhalani ruefully reads “it has become almost fashionable to be indifferent and casual towards political affairs. High pitched drawing room discussions competing with the dizzying television volumes point accusing fingers at the youth for idling away their precious time and not utilizing it productively. However, what is ironical as well as amusing is that these very morally correct and politically righteous citizens teach their kids how big and bad the world of politics is! Consider this - have you ever heard a kid come back with an "I want to become a politician/join politics" in answer to that inevitable question we've all faced during our childhood, "beta bade hoke kya banoge?

Delhi is considered the heart of India and it would not be unreasonable to expect that the national capital should lead the country. Have a look at the profile of candidates available at www.efg.co.in fielded by the political parties in the 2008 Delhi elections for the legislative assembly. The fears of the blogger come alive when we find that around seventy percent of the contestants did not even have a graduate degree. Out of these forty percent lacked even a 10th certificate. Consider this interesting or disturbing or at best lament the callousness educated have towards politics. The qualification of the candidates is no indicator of their commitment to public service and it would not be correct if we try arriving at any direct correlation. However, it is relevant if we consider the need of infusing professionalism in public governance.

Now the key question about why our world is as we see it today. Going by rational thinking the system that serves us is representative of our own making of political and social values. Put bluntly, a politician is allegedly busy making money because he needs them to buy votes in large cases, a politician is busy talking about caste because it gives him some comfort of support, a politician is busy talking about religion, class, boundaries or anything that is divisive is because he finds in it an opportunity to secure precious votes. And because he knows that those who talk in drawing rooms and can possibly think rationally will never support him when tested through ballots. And he knows that the best bet is to attract attention and cash in on emotions to be in power. It is sheer good luck that there is still something in our culture that compels the politician to do some good for those who consider elections a joke and who constitute a sizeable number of taxpayers.

Sensitized citizens who still vote religiously are concerned because in the current scenario it is 15-20% of a bunch of citizens (largely party workers) who year after year largely decide the fate of 80% of the citizens. Extending the logic the future of 1/3rd of human race is also been written by this group. Good governance and the promotion of the common good are not the exclusive responsibility of our governments. Other actors such as individuals, families, have a part to play. Regrettably, individuals and groups often underestimate their ability to contribute to the good governance of their nations. This may explain why many people are resigned to their oppression and suffering, and passively look forward to an external liberator.


The solution lies not in shaming politicians or ambitious quick fix solutions like launching “political parties with a difference” at the drop of a hat. The same blogger says “It is high time we stop contemplating and being fooled by politicians who make a farce of our democracy. We shouldn't wait for some magical power to end all our miseries. We are the ones who have the power to bring about a change. Believe in the power of "one" . . . that one vote that can bring a sea of revolution. It is time to make your presence felt. Enough of being a passive observer, a vocal complainant and a no-doer. Its time to VOTE”.


These little votes would certainly not fall on deaf ears as our much despicable politician is smart enough to read the writings on the walls. And it is as simple as supply responds to demand that we learnt in basic economics.