Dialogues

By Ayush Jain

Politics has always been an enigma to me. Even greater enigma has

been the confidence in which people comment on it. Of course one

can comment. One has the right to comment. But to what extent

does one really comment?

Its a fashion, almost a social obligation and an intellectual

compulsion to have a definite political opinion and to disseminate it

through channels of social media – in angry, frustrated tones –

holding everyone who doesn’t conform to your opinion as the

destroyer of the world.

Irrespective of the regime in power, there exists a common despise

for the profession of politics – a dirty business, ridden with

manipulations, crime and immorality. A profession which is to be

commented on but never entered into. Many well intentioned people

have come out of it describing it as a dirty business – incapable of

being won without polluting one’s self.

Here lies the biggest contradiction, we expect people to be at the

apex of this shoddy game to be saints. We expect them to be kind

hearted, loving and obedient. We expect them to rise above their

very foundations while we refuse to take a speck of dirt upon

ourselves.

If its “We the people” who deserve rights, security and

accountability, we must accept that its “we the people” who make

this a dirty profession, by choosing not to clean its dirt but rather

choosing comfortable professions that help us live our “dream” lives.

It is the flaws in “we the people”, and not the politicians ultimately

responsible for our failures.

While we can comfortable blame politicians for mobilising people on

caste, religious and class lines – a greater introspection is needed to

blame ourselves for being allowed ourselves to be identified with our

religions, castes and classes. As soon as identity happens, it becomes

a game of power bargaining. There are no morals in bargaining, it’s a

question of competence – the better person wins.

The question is really if we willing to enter into the game, compete

with those in power and be the rule maker. Nothing wrong if we

don’t, everyone chooses what the best for them according to their

understanding of a good life. But if we do not – we lose the right to

blame those in power – its best to speak, hope someone listens, vote

and shut up.

By Ayush Jain