Al Gore in his new book “The Assault on Reason” has tried to reason out that dimensions the American democracy has taken, it is in danger of being hollowed out. An article worth reading. It has been published in “Time” magazine (may 28,2007). Its theme is much more relevant to Indian democracy where there is an increasing trend of muscle-power, money-power and lung-power. If we donot realize the perils, the democracy may become mobocracy.

In a very thought-provoking commentary, Peter Beinart says that in many countries that have embraced democracy since the cold war’s end, free elections haven’t reduced corruption, violence or poverty. Further, if freedom does not put food on the table, people will embrace tyranny. The article published in Time (May 21,2007) can be accessed through this link.

In response to this article, Jocelyn Fong from Phoenix comments in her letter to the editor that there is a fundamental relationship between economics and politics and adds: “but he (Beinart) also encourages readers to question the export of American democracy”. And that ” It is time for a shift from the Bush Administration’s vague, rhetorical emphasis on freedom to more concrete markers of democracy: human rights, peace and citizen participation.” Very apt comments, indeed! Though I am not sure, whether democracy has been a virtue patented by Americans only!

The UP Vidhan Sabha (assembly) election results are out and Maywati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) has risen to power, ending 15 years of coalition era in UP. Uttar Pradesh is the biggest state -from electoral point of view- and is said to heavily impact the future of who governs at the Center. The results at a glance: Out of 403 seats, results declared 402: BSP 206, SP 97, BJP 50, Congress 22.

The BSP victory is surprising , indeed! Although election pundits were predicting BSP as the fore-runner, no one envisaged that it wll emerge out victorious with a clear-cut majority (has won 206 of 402 assembly seats.

Whereas the ruling party – Samajwadi Party led by the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav- was expected to lose, most surprising aspect has been that BJP has suffered heavy losses in these elections grabbing just 50 seats (sliding down from 88). Congress party has been able to retain only 22 seats (sliding down from 25) despite Rahul Gandhi’s extensive campaigning.
Thus what is the miracle behind BSP’s ascension to power? BSP as the name itself indicates is based upon an ideology of upper caste bashing and uniting lower caste Hindus. This plank of uniting all lower caste Hindus looks appealing on papers but practically it never paid dividens to the party. Thus Mayawati shuffled her ideological stance this time, and tried to make a rainbow coalition of all castes including upper castes (bahujan to sarvjan): this successful display of social engineering consolidated the votes for her party and infact muslim votes also went her way, thus ensuring absolute majority for BSP.

It is ironic that a party (BSP) based upon divisive ideology could bring all castes together mustering a clear majority , but a party (BJP) which ideologically represents all these ingredients (nationalism, Hindutva) could not succees in this experiment ! It is a point of great introspection for BJP because what should have been a natural result of BJP’s ideological manifestation, Mayawati actually enacted it . Why RSS backed BJP has failed to consolidate Hindu votes despite its nationalistic outlook! One reaosn is increasing ‘congressisation” of BJP. Of late, BJP has increasingly tried to polarize nationals of this country on the line of religion and has infact tried to woo minorities as a vote bank. Congress’s pseudo-secularism is for everyone to see, but BJP too has created a kind of environment wherein it treats minorities (particularly Muslims) as per its own convenience: bashing them at one time to wooing them at another time! It is high time that RSS- backed BJP come out with a sincere appel for nationalism and this will prevail upon sinister political strategies of polarizing people on caste or religion basis.

A word of caution for our worthy voters: Mulayam’s exit and incumbent Mayawati’s rhetoric that she would weed out corruption must be taken with a pinch of salt. Neither has a clean slate as far as transparency in governance is concerned! One corrupt politician is being replaced by another in a phenomenon called “revolving door democracy” which has come to establish itself in India. Remember Mayawati had almost strangulated Taj corridor for the lust of money and no one knows the exat magnitudes of this scandal. Similarly Mulayam Singh Yadav is leaving the corridors of power after building an empire out of tax-payers’ money!

On a good note however, it was interesting to see Election Commission holding its firm grip over the whole process of multi-phasic electioneering in UP this time and this left the ousted Mulayam Singh Yadav almost gasping for breaths! How immoral of him that in a free and fair elections, he is accusing EC of suffocating democracy!

Right to Information Act (RTI) has been hailed as a great leap forward for votaries of democratic rights in India. This link to 5thpillar organization provides a very simplified information on RTI and how one can use it!
The organization (www.5thpillar.org) seems to be doing a good job in fighting and creating awareness about corruption in Tamil Nadu. Corruption is a big issue for India and seems to have permeated through all walks of life. It has established itself as a irremedial virus and we are paying heavy prices.

The proposed NGO is hiring a Coordinator to work in Haryana. The work involves co-ordinating with media, various governmental agencies, social organizations and people. Good writing and drafting skills in both Hindi and English are a must as one aspect of this position involves extensive correspondence, and publishing a news-letter. Computer skills are mandatory for the e-communication as well as maintaining and supervising the web-site of the NGO. The position of coordinator is important in the sense that he or she will be the architect of this NGO.The work involves considerable touring.

Satisfactory re-numeration will be paid to the right candidate.

The NGO aims to focus on social and political rights, a demand for better accountability and democracy (working with government, opposition parties and where necessary taking recourse to PILs, Satyagrahas and help shape public opinion). Thus it will be a non-partisan organization which will work as a pressure group. The ultimate aim is to create an effective “Shadow Cabinet”.

If you have a flavor for socio-political work and think that you will enjoy doing it, kindly send the following documents as an attachment to Pedia333@yahoo.com

1. CV (do include your interests, passions and community work)

2. A letter of interest stating about yourself, your interests and

how you see yourself in this scenario (maximum one and a half page)

3. A passport -size photograph will be appreciated.

Dr Munish Raizada

Akbar Khan Rana (Journalist)

(Document created April 24, 07)

I had posted the previous message- about the proposed N G O (please read “Appeal”, dated April 14,07 on this blog) – on various web-portals and have received encouraging replies and communications. This is the follow-up on the ongoing thought-process.

I have tried to outline the proposed NGO in my blog as well as my various communications. Its area of action will be limited to Haryana ( so as to solidify the momentum), though we remain nationalistic in our outlook!

As can be understood, our work would mainly be socio-political, but the aim is not to become rabble-rousers! Through the mechanisms of democracy- which I believe we have inherited in a solid way, thanks to the vision of the founders of our Constitution- we aim to challenge the anomalous practices which have crept up in our system. Thus in the initial years at least, our practices shall mainly be institutional: to study, research, draft and recommend and then follow-up (the last step being very crucial). These may be empowered from time to time with the means of democracy, like satyagraha, PILs and public awareness. However, the emphasis will be to link common people to this organization as well, so that it truly grows as a people’s network.

In the long run, if we are able to emerge as a strong “Shadow Cabinet”: Our mission will be fulfilled! Governments may go or come ( somwhow India has become home to the phenomenon called “Revolving Door Democracy”), this kind of “Shadow Cabinet” will remain firmly seated in its saddles!

Please do suggest about the preliminaries: where in Haryana to begin, how many people to begin, what could be the name, when to begin and any other idea!