Why are we so utterly clumsy about things cerebral? Why is the political leadership in India always speaking out of turn, only to ruffle feathers and add to its own embarrassment, as in the ?bridge to Lanka? case? Because the proposed project will generate many monies, and because there is no certainty about when elections will be declared, the DMK, an alliance partner of the ruling UPA, seems desperate to get the sea dredging done to make a passageway for ships to ply?and, while at it, extract what it can from the venture, because independent reports say this is not a critical project for growth infrastructure and development. Environmentalists are against tampering with this sliver of nature, and large numbers of Indian citizens are disturbed by this intrusion into their faith.
So, why is the DMK flagging it as a top priority? That is what needs to be delved into, analysed and studied, and since the UPA believes in transparency, the debate should take place in the public domain before the proposal is pushed through to keep its alliance partner ?happy?. This constant ?giving in? to those who could threaten to pull the rug is not clean coalition politics.
The Left has insulted the UPA more often than not, despite the fact that it is not an alliance partner. Its ultimatums and threats have discredited it in the view of vast numbers. Now that there are rumours floating around of snap polls, the DMK is flexing its muscles in favour of Tamil Nadu?s Sethu- samundaram project, hoping to win regional votes and other lucrative spoils.
The BJP, for its part, is vocalising the project as a religious issue, beating it so hard into the ground that one fine day even Ram Bhakts will have had enough of hearing and seeing party leaders relentlessly using Ram for their short-term political ends. This, too, is a misuse of ?faith?. And the great non-believing Left has made an ambiguous statement about it, not wanting to alienate any ?believer? or potential political partner in a possible future ?third front?!
There is only one word in my dictionary that describes these political stances?selfish. If the Left and the Right were as committed to reforming the corroded operating systems in our country, eradicating corruption that has infiltrated every conceivable sphere of human activity, sacrificing self-aggrandisement, conducting the business of politics and administration with honesty and dignity, as they are about vociferously defending their unwavering ?ideology? and ?faith?, India would salute them. Today, sadly, Indians recognise well the irrelevant rhetoric of politicians across parties. These men and women, most of whom live off India, chewing away at the fibre like rapacious parasites, have very little credibility. But, alas, the options for change are few are far between. Citizens need to assert and demand a cleansing of the system more proactively, and make their elected representatives accountable. Some party should take the ?risk? of identifying one good person per constituency, even if unknown, and commit itself to change. This may not be possible in abjectly poor states ridden with caste constraints, but even there, a beginning could be made, an experiment pursued. The renewal of a party where all citizens participate, without divisions of rich and poor, could unite us. Corruption and exploitation, the realities that dominate India, have become the great leveller in our stratified society.
Take away the perks of Parliamentarians. Make them fend for themselves. Get them to live on the salaries that we, the taxpayers, provide them to serve us. Compel them to rent out their own homes instead of using public property free. Make them pay for their travel by air, road and rail. Force them to live like those they represent.
That should be the next Supreme Court ruling?on which, needless to say, the most abusive and dissenting of Parliamentarians who are given to adjourning Parliament and holding India to ransom, will unite for a voice vote to protect their personal fiefs!
