Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Why Don't I Vote?

Much can be said about why I don't vote.

I voted for the first (and the last) time when I was 18, because it was a new, thrilling experience to be able to exercise a right to elect your representative in the government. Then, opening my eyes to the political scenario of my beloved country, I learnt some very disturbing lessons, which not only dissuaded me from voting ever again, but also made me turn my face against politics and politicians, and against all things associated with them.

I present for your perusal below only a few of the several reasons:

In our great nation, elected representatives of the people -- no matter which political party they belong to -- have always kept themselves busy in numerous scams like Coffin Scam, Telecom Scam, Stamp Scam, Fodder Scam, and Bofors Scam to name only a few. I am not sure if you have heard of those; if not, try to read up on the various scams associated with Indian politics. I do not know of a better form of entertainment.

Moreover, they -- the politicians as well as government employees -- are also busy swallowing bribes. They have different rates for different purposes at various levels. If you have money to burn and if you are willing to share some of it with them, you are welcome. If not, you can take a walk.

No Indian citizen should need evidence to the fact that it is none but our politicians who have been inspiring communal disharmony and general unrest in the country. Such unrest and disharmony enable them to play the blame-game; those are the legs that secure their political chairs. If people die in the bargain, well, that's collateral damage. That's not their fault. Really.

Not only have they engaged in criminal activities, but also they have twisted the law of the land -- if there ever was a law in the land -- to their own convenience. Law, like any other commodity or service, can be bought. Yes, money can indeed buy much more than you imagined!

Has there ever been a case of cross-border terrorist attack that was not politically inspired? We may blame our neighbours for training or deploying terrorists, but I seriously believe that most of the major attacks could never have come about without inside political help. I may not have the evidence to support these claims, but I am as certain of this point as one could ever be. I am sure that even if nobody else understands what I am talking about, at least the brave soldiers posted at our borders will.

Dear friends, politics in India rhymes with corruption, and is tangled with terrorism. Politicians would do anything -- and I mean abso-damn-lutely anything -- to stay in power and to get richer by the day. They would misuse the power given to them by the people. They would forget that they are mere servants of the nation. They would forget that they are but representatives of the people of a great nation...

Friends, I could go on and on with this disgraceful monograph, but I am sure you get the point. I ask you now, if you would like these people to represent you or your nation. Would you like the rest of the world to identify you or your country by such shameful values? I would certainly not!
When my elected representative indulges in selfish or illegal activities, or perpetrates heinous crimes, then I would automatically become an accessory to such atrocities. I do not want such representatives. I am quite capable of representing myself. That is why I do not vote.


Cheers!


PS: To be able to better appreciate what I have written here, one must have lived in these conditions in a middle-class family, must have made such subtle observations as are not always explicitly evident, and must have suffered, or at least seen others suffer, abuse at government offices, police stations, government hospitals...

8 comments:

Jewel Rays said...

I just did ma first voting recently!! and somehow i am not into politics soo..i kinda don;t mind if i was chosen. but i was and did it..I Didn't know it was sooooooo easy and instant!! Wowed for a minute but found it a hassle indeeds

Keshi said...

Great post Praddy! Well-said! And thats exactly why I wouldnt wanna vote either.

**When my elected representative indulges in selfish or illegal activities, or perpetrates heinous crimes, then I would automatically become an accessory to such atrocities.

so damn true!

Keshi.

Ashley said...

I fully appreciate your point of view. However, with the latest administration in my country, I find it more important now, than ever to vote. In fact, I find it more important now than ever, to seek out new candidates to promote and support.

In India, the situation is far worse (but after the last 6.5 years, my country has certainly witnessed a significant erosion of our democracy).

I attribute India's political situation to an extreme economy. The drop between a middle class lifestyle and an impoverished lifestyle is steep and significant. I think this makes policemen and politicians more prone to petty bribes which can then lead to major corruption.

In America, most people never fear the kind of poverty in India because the basic infrastructure is more solid (widespread paved roads, water service, waste removal, electricity, food programs, housing subsidies, etc.). I think this helps (to some degree) honest people stay honest. Parts of India have never gotten these services because of corrupt politicians not putting earmarked money to use as it was intended.

Perhaps the success of a democracy has a lot to do with when it was founded? I am not sure of the answer.

I too would despair. I think Pradeep, you should run for office! You would represent your people, quite well!

Diana Sahu said...

Hi dear.....initially when I decided to vote..it was an equally thrilling experience but slowly the reality about our politics sank in...its all crap....hw does it help when u vote? its the same crime, bribes....nothing will ever change until somebody is really willing to change things...

Pradeep Puranik said...

Dear Amy,
I found it to be more than a hassle; I found it to be utterly disgusting and demoralizing.



Dear Keshi,
Thank you. Huggggggggzzzz...



Dear Ashley,
An extreme economy is not a valid excuse for corruption; nor is corruption a meaningful answer to an extreme economy.


** Parts of India have never gotten these services because of corrupt politicians not putting earmarked money to use as it was intended.

Exactly one of my points.

Moreover, it is also because our politicians here have really been very busy in such other activities as I have described in the post.


** I think Pradeep, you should run for office! You would represent your people, quite well!

NO!

If you don't like me, just shoot me. Never again suggest that I should join Indian politics. Hahahahaaha...

Jokes apart, I shall not pretend that I can single-handedly change the fate of this diseased nation.

Not very long ago, I was told about a Bollywood movie, which had dramatized such a possibility. I believe it was a character played by Anil Kapoor who very heroically vanquished the valour of a corrupt political system, and delivered justice to the masses. What else can one expect of Bollywood?

This nation is being ripped apart by several veteran hounds. They know every trick in and out of the book, and they are the dirtiest players of the game. If I should hope to play against them and to change anything, I should be at least equally dirty, or one of the most self-conceited people.

No, I am not ispired by fairy tales. Politics is definitely not my game.

Keshi said...

Praddy I feel ur distanced from me...I dunno why, I just feel that.

Anyways I hope ur ok.

Keshi.

Pradeep Puranik said...

Dear Keshi :)

(Gives Keshi a warm and tight hug...)

Are you serious?

You are a sweet and wonderful woman, and a great friend! Why would I distance myself from a you? No way!

I admit there have been some delays in my responses, but that's because of some other reasons.

Please have no such worries, okay Keshi? I'll e-mail you in a few minutes... :)

Cheer up, darling!
Huggggggzzzzz...

~*. D E E P A .* ~ said...

Hmmmmmmm