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>>>The
question remains that whether a democracy is just between individual citizens
and their elcted leaders --- or is there a role for advocacy groups/watchdogs
also. US being the oldest democracy in modern times (after Greeks and Romans)
relies heavily on such groups to ensure the important issues are raised -and
discussed in their senate etc. Indian citizens are
made to believe that they can hold the govt resposnible just by voting for whom
they like ---- and do not realize the importance of media, advocacy groups etc
--- to make their voice heard. Result -- politicians are banding together to
ignore what the common man has to say -- and doing what they feel. Even when
they are inthe opposition - politicians make money- so they are happy with the
arragnement which ensures that such advocacy groups are kept out of the arena of
democracy. Umesh<<< I make an effort to reply to the first part of the question. USA, UK and some other advanced countries have many organised groups. In India too there are organised groups and they are also represented by MLAs/MPs, e. g the Trade Unions and as you know some MLA/MPs are elected on the strength of their groups’ support. But these organised groups in USA or UK far outnumber those existing in India. Our Parliament and Legislatures do discuss current issues and participate in meaningful debates. There are heaven and hell differences between social conditions in these countries. I just give an example why at times basic progressive laws become irrelevant in Indian conditions. Child labour is universally condemned. Law exists in India to prevent it. Intent on enforcing this law in a factory, once a magistrate visited a factory and interviewed a great many people living in the surroundings. He didn’t take any action against the factory. He reported that if he were to take any action, people will just starve to death. Now the second part. Political scientists have held that the even the most illiterate farm worker in India knows in whose favour he should cast his vote. If you wore his shoes (I understand as I write he would not have any; nevertheless you’will get the meaning, won’t you), I am sure, you’ll do the same: vote the man who your landlord supports or your gang leader supports. The landlord can give you job, the gang leader can support you against bullying, dismissal and so on. We’re here speaking about democracy in a parliamentary context. The Government is run by these very leaders, the INTUC men and women, representatives of railway, postal and banking workers and so on. They are of course all for the ‘common man’. They have always in mind the importance of the media. Yes, you’re right Opposition members also get money in the process. Now you will jump upon me to say, if all that is so ideal, why the Courts in India do not seem to move at all, illegal trade thrives, people die of hunger, of natural, perhaps preventable, disasters and so on? I will not here conclude just by saying that the people get the government it deserves. Many, many years ago, I once attended a very large gathering in a Big Tent in Calcutta’s maidan to welcome an internationally famous evangelist It was perhaps Billy Graham, I’m not absolutely sure. At the end of the sermons, one devotee asked: If God be omnipotent, kind and merciful, why are we poor? I think no one got a satisfactory response in what the great orator had to say to this in that happy, serene atmosphere. Not the stub of a winning lottery ticket from the haloed ambassador of heaven. Umesh, can you find out the remedy for India’s woes in political and social of life that disturbs your conscience? Bhuban |
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