The Right to CHANGE

Once my young cousin asked me, “All politicians are corrupt, aren’t they?” When I asked him if he knew exactly how a politician is elected, the reply was as expected from a standard six kid, no. he had the notion of politicians being corrupt even before knowing who the politicians are. To him, it meant a bad someone who dresses in white, is least educated and takes away people’s money. And it is not his fault; he says what he listens around. I am myself no expert in civics, but I know that my vote selects him, just like yours.

Anywhere you go, travelling in train, in a tea shop, outside a shopping mall or in college hostels, you’ll always find heated discussions on politics, which quickly moves on to a discussion on politicians. This is the only example of discussions that are both one-sided and heated. I haven’t ever heard discussions on whether or not a particular debatable bill should be passed or not, but I have certainly heard discussions on which politician did what, who is more corrupt, who got arrested, and got away. And it really gets interesting with new faces on the controversial front every day, and new jaw dropping scams every other.

When the proposals of important bills are put forward, there isn’t much debate and opposition. And just bring forth an issue like Ram Setu or installation of nuclear power plants, which should be allowed without hype, the political and social machinery comes alive. I had expected much more debate and discussions on the FDI bill, but there wasn’t much. Especially in the youth. Students’ discussions are like “who is better, SRK or Sallu?” ever heard “should the cap on number of LPG cylinders be raised?” Last involvement of youth in political matters before the Delhi gang rape case was when reservation bill was passed, and that was long ago.

We shout hard if there’s any violation of any of our fundamental rights. We even run to help someone else with ‘right’ problems. That’s good, but what happens when it comes to our fundamental duties? We know and exercise our rights, but do we remember our duties? Do we complain of someone deviating from his duties, let alone ourselves be responsible? We don’t commit to simple, small  but important duties like voting. And we expect full rights. Do you expect an invitation to your friend’s party after you have thrashed and abused him? As a friend you ‘had’ the right, no more now.

There are serious misinterpretations of our constitution and civil governance amongst our generation. The whole system is rotten, we say. We forget that our constitution was written by the greatest minds and think tanks that could have written it. And it was written predicting every possibly future condition. Provisions in the constitution are such that our democracy is infallible. It is the longest constitution of the world, because it is also the best (a globally and widely accepted fact) and it almost caters to the fundamental rights of each and every individual of our infinitely diverse country.

You might say and I will agree that many of the culprits live an easy jail life, because of the provisions in the constitution. But is the news regarding arrest of innocent people common? No. the provisions were made to guarantee true justice and not just a fast one. Obviously, the courts are sometimes even slower than that, but the case of Ajmal Kasab is an example that true justice was served, following every constitutional rules in a small time. In his case, life sentence was announced within three years of the conviction, including the time devoted solely to extracting important details form him regarding terrorist activities, which accounted for a huge chunk of that time. And regarding harsh corporal punishments, three years isn’t a very long time.

Of course, despite its greatness, out constitution needs amendments, and very helpful provisions were made even for that, but the amendments would only work if politicians table a bill, and pass it by majority. This is where, everyone agrees, the problem stands. Not in framing the constitution, but in execution. Taking a few steps back, and taking a look on the big picture, it’s clearly visible where the actual problem lies. If the MP’s and the MLA are bad considering they are not bringing forth the required bills, or voting in its favor, then who elected them in the first place? How are they there? And why are ‘they’ there and not us?

It’s in our mentality to just sit back and blame the politics for everything happening. And click ‘like’ on the pictures of some honest politician such as Arvind Kejriwal or put a black dot in the profile picture to protest something. As if blaming and black ‘dotting’ will bring any change. Instead, real change is needed. And that doesn’t require a revolution, or a fast, or a digital anarchy. In times like this, where almost no political party is willing to bring a change, stand up, and bring it yourself. Easier said, but seeing a stand, many and many of the people needing just an initiative will stand up with you, and a few against.

As the Mahatma said, be the change you want to see.

(Some even stood against Gandhi, and his stand on truth, the biggest weapon against corruption today which he foresaw. Can you find those protestors today?)