(Published in oHerald on April 27, 2019)
With the fate of the nation’s and Goa’s democracy and secularism remaining sealed in the EVM machines, we can only hope and pray that these words, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children”, uttered by a suffering Jesus on Good Friday to the weeping women on his way to Calvary, will not become relevant and applicable to the Indian political context after the election results get declared. This 2019 election has probably been the worst in India’s democratic history considering the vitriolic in campaigns. From boasts about nukes, termites and green virus references to certain communities, to the threats of an ABCD classification in constituency booths based on the number of votes received by the ruling dispensation, is something unheard of even during or after the emergency in this country. With the highest court being repeatedly petitioned by citizens to step in, the model code of conduct for elections has just failed to tame the politicians, going up to even the Prime Minister of this nation. The very credibility of the Election Commission has suffered severely due to what appears to be its handling of some political players with kid gloves.
Coming to Goa, the grand promise in 2012 about ‘zero corruption’ in Goa’s governance, appears to have now degenerated into ‘zero tolerance’ to electoral mandates. None of the loopholes in the related laws against defections and corruption have been left untested and unexploited by the political parties and politicians, in their greed for power and money. Morality has been thrown to the wind in Goan politics. At this moment, Goa’s signature politics appears more like that of the leaves sweeping the broom. With greedy and sleazy politics being allowed to flourish unchallenged, Goans have no moral right to complain that Goa is going to the dogs. When Goans allow themselves to be politically sedated with goodies, xenophobic rhetoric and empty promises thrown their way, then what do unscrupulous politicians have to fear about?
Goan politics has been reduced to a laughing stock in national circles. Political prostitution at midnight, that too in a 84 per cent literate State, is definitely something Goans ought to be terribly ashamed and angry about. The absence of any visible reaction from the public after the recent floor crossings by MLAs last month, has in fact baffled both media persons and political analysts at the national level.
A politician afflicted by a chronic and debilitating disease staying put in the Chief Minister’s chair until death does him part, is only heard of in dictatorial and despotic regimes. If Goans had any sense of dignity, then the historic Azad Maidan and Lohia Maidan would have burst at the seams from spontaneous protests against the abuse of power by the politicians. Goans may complain about their present situation, but they stand guilty of either being complicit in this perversion or, shying away from a collective effort to tackle the political impropriety of those in public office, which is contributing to the rise in corruption and lawlessness.
Let us not fool ourselves with the notion that Goans want people with integrity in politics. Goan politics is about contradictions. What is unacceptable as ‘Dynasty politics’, gets accepted as ‘Legacy Politics’. A ‘Chor’ when in Congress, becomes a ‘Chowkidar’ on joining BJP. The ‘Goon’ of the Congress becomes a ‘Rashtra Sevak’ within seconds of his conversion to BJP. The ‘Dhongeponn’ (hypocrisy) sells as ‘Goenkarponn’. And, if silence is to be taken as consent, then the Goan people can be assumed to be endorsing such politics of logical fallacies and opportunism as the new normal.
Currently, the reality is that money and muscle power are the only two qualifications needed to be a successful politician in Goa. The casino, brothel and drug culture has captured governance in Goa. Academic qualifications, political experience, personal character and abilities have become irrelevant in Goa’s politics. In some constituencies, the elections for the MLAs are just a formality. Several villages in Goa resemble mini-fiefdoms of ‘gully politicians’.
A few days ago the social media was abuzz with news about a youth arrested for questioning a Goa Minister about employment during an election meet. Even the Church, which was respected by many from across all faiths for its interventions in demanding justice and calling out political excesses, is now seen as having been accommodated in this unprincipled politics.
Goan politics has become so cheap, that screenshots of hugging trees and hounding migrants circulated in social media are enough for aspiring politicians and political middle men to win over Goan hearts. Self-sponsored birthday greetings, distributing goodies, sponsoring events, protecting illegalities and other such related activities have become shortcuts to become the people’s political darling. By the time the realisation of having been deceived about the goodness of such politicians sets in among the public, the damage is already done.
Goa’s political situation is precarious. It is as chaotic and abusive as the driving on Goa’s roads. The thick skinned politician is immune to criticism and shaming by the public. If governance in Goa is to be reclaimed by Goans, then it is just not sufficient to be voting once in five years. Neither will democracy in Goa be protected by battles launched in cyber space from the comforts of AC rooms. Democracy will need to be seen relentlessly defended by Goans on the streets. The quality of Goa’s political discourse will need to be liberated from the present triviality, xenophobia and paranoia being fed to the Goan people, by the beneficiaries of this perverted political system.
(The author is a Social Activist who was member of the Panchayat)
No comments:
Post a Comment