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Once again the stage is set for election in India and all eyes are keeping a close watch on what is happening in India. ..The heat is on and so is the race to the most coveted seat – “The Prime Minister’s Chair”… musical chairs have begun and in a month we will either have the same Prime Minister or a New Government and a New Prime Minister….all depends on the turnout and votes.
The other day I was talking to some youngsters and since the elections were on I asked them whom will they vote and I was surprised at their reply, almost all had the same reply-”what’s the point of voting when we know nothing is going to happen” I asked them that voting is their democratic right and that they should vote and elect a government of their choice. They replied we have forgotten what democracy means now all we see around us is dictatorship and mud-slinging and forceful laws. We are so scared to speak out our feelings and we are always on tip-toes as one never knows when we will be put behind bars for any comment of ours, hence we prefer to remain quiet and continue doing what we are doing.
Their statements surprised and angered me and I realised that yes they are correct, each and every citizen of this country is scared and no one is willing to come forward to speak out because they know that what they say will be mis-interpreted in seconds and they will be in trouble.
Another interesting aspect to be noticed is that neither of the grand alliances have a common worked out policy or agenda to contest the elections and feel that mere campaigning, making promises and winning votes are enough…. why worry about what policy agenda to follow after being elected when freebies and sops are enough to win.
There are so many pressing problems in India which are not being addressed in these elections- unemployment, consumer demands, rise in prices, women safety, better infra structures etc instead what’s happening is accusing each other…what is scary is that if some candidates do win who have no knowledge of who the first prime minister of India was, uneducated candidates trying to enter into politics and worst and shameful is the comment recently on “mangal-sutra and gold” of the women. The women are being lured into giving votes by scaring them that their gold and mangal-sutra (the most sacred jewellry of a married woman) will be taken away from them …these shameful tactics will not only make the poor helpless and un educated women vote for the party spreading this message.
India is today facing major problems not only economic, political ,financial but social problems with the increase in the hatred between Hindus and Muslims. This was a community that for years have lived together,celebrated each others festivals and had brotherhood and love , today it is being shamed openly and so much hatred has got into the country that these two communities have started fearing and hating each other.
In such a scenario of a repeat of past regimes and policies where can one see change and new policies being implemented. The country has already had its share of lows and ups and what is needed in 2024 is a positive change from leaders, something that can convince the voters and make them believe in their leaders . They have been fooled and let down time and time again and this time they are not only disappointed and angry and fed up but they are slowly losing hope and it is upto the parties and their leaders to give them the hope that this time things will be different.
It is time to lead the country and its economies to a newer and better future, high standard of living for all, jobs for all, as it is our job as the electorate to demand this from our government. It is time to fight for our rights . It is the job of the educated , enlightened middle class to keep pushing our governemnt to deliever and make them accountable.
It is time to keep our consciousness clear and give vote without fear. It we don’t cast our vote now , a few people with a lot of power and money in their hands will control our lives for next few years…. voting rightfully is not just our right but our responsibility ..so lets come out and cast our votes sensibly and make our voices heard.
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