This is a top of mind flow of thoughts regarding the state of our democracy. Despite being a regular voter in Pune, my name didn't feature in the voters list - just like thousands of citizens. Yes, its partly my fault that i didn't check the list before. But since i am a existing voter, i thought there is no reason for my name to be dropped. The entire Form 6 thing is for first time voters...
Much has been said about the agitation at the Collector office last week. On 18th April morning, i went to Council hall where other voters (who were dropped without any notice) and concerned citizens had gathered to get an audience with the EC or Dist Collector. It was a regular gathering of regular folks like you and me who don't have party allegiance had gathered to make some headway to exercise their right to vote. Citizens, breadwinners, day wage workers, activists, people from NGOs, housewives, tax payers, political workers - a motley crew of people who had one thing in common: Get the Right to Vote for those who were unfairly deleted, and have re-elections in Pune latest by 13 May (which is the last voting date).
Between all the cool conspiracy theories and wild allegations, one thing that came out strongly was, everyone wanted to say something. There was so much anger and disappointment. I myself was feeling terrible for being unable to vote in what possibly are the MOST critical elections of our times. Everyone was charged and motivated to be part of this much anticipated "change".
As more and more time passed at this agitation / demonstration, i realised that no civil society movement can happen in India. What the civil society members can do is, sit on hunger strike, file a PIL, form societies and create atmosphere that will create pressure on the authorities to take cognizance. Common folk who assemble to voice their concerns, who come from far and wide to right some wrongs, have no clue about these protest / agitations. I want you to picture your next door neighbour - the regular guy - who comes with some sort of idealism in his heart, hoping to get some "justice" by baring the "truth". The regular folk do not have the muscle or the pull to get attention of the high and mighty.
Where political parties score, is their organisational ability. They can conjure up durries to sit, megaphones to communicate instructions / speeches to the protesters, get water for those who are braving the summer sun. At a basic dialog level, they bring in lawyers who can suggest the legal way ahead. Since political parties interface between the bureaucracy and citizens on a regular basis - they have a comfort level of interacting with the administration. They have access to media channels and reporters, who can really make it a topic of discussion.
Another realisation was, if a concerned citizen or a group of citizens have been wronged and they are creating some noise about it, it is very easy for political parties to come and hijack the agenda. Once the gathering turns to a political party discourse, where does the apolitical, non-aligned, common man go!?
How will any civil movement ever happen in India? How was the anti-corruption protest done? How did people come down to Rashtrapati bhavan during the Nirbhaya protests? I understand both these examples are very different, but it has to be beyond social media.
I would like to know how.
Much has been said about the agitation at the Collector office last week. On 18th April morning, i went to Council hall where other voters (who were dropped without any notice) and concerned citizens had gathered to get an audience with the EC or Dist Collector. It was a regular gathering of regular folks like you and me who don't have party allegiance had gathered to make some headway to exercise their right to vote. Citizens, breadwinners, day wage workers, activists, people from NGOs, housewives, tax payers, political workers - a motley crew of people who had one thing in common: Get the Right to Vote for those who were unfairly deleted, and have re-elections in Pune latest by 13 May (which is the last voting date).
Between all the cool conspiracy theories and wild allegations, one thing that came out strongly was, everyone wanted to say something. There was so much anger and disappointment. I myself was feeling terrible for being unable to vote in what possibly are the MOST critical elections of our times. Everyone was charged and motivated to be part of this much anticipated "change".
As more and more time passed at this agitation / demonstration, i realised that no civil society movement can happen in India. What the civil society members can do is, sit on hunger strike, file a PIL, form societies and create atmosphere that will create pressure on the authorities to take cognizance. Common folk who assemble to voice their concerns, who come from far and wide to right some wrongs, have no clue about these protest / agitations. I want you to picture your next door neighbour - the regular guy - who comes with some sort of idealism in his heart, hoping to get some "justice" by baring the "truth". The regular folk do not have the muscle or the pull to get attention of the high and mighty.
Where political parties score, is their organisational ability. They can conjure up durries to sit, megaphones to communicate instructions / speeches to the protesters, get water for those who are braving the summer sun. At a basic dialog level, they bring in lawyers who can suggest the legal way ahead. Since political parties interface between the bureaucracy and citizens on a regular basis - they have a comfort level of interacting with the administration. They have access to media channels and reporters, who can really make it a topic of discussion.
Another realisation was, if a concerned citizen or a group of citizens have been wronged and they are creating some noise about it, it is very easy for political parties to come and hijack the agenda. Once the gathering turns to a political party discourse, where does the apolitical, non-aligned, common man go!?
How will any civil movement ever happen in India? How was the anti-corruption protest done? How did people come down to Rashtrapati bhavan during the Nirbhaya protests? I understand both these examples are very different, but it has to be beyond social media.
I would like to know how.
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