Few Reasons why our Political System is Degenerate

 

Few Reasons why our Political System is Degenerate  

                                                                                                                      Lalit K Kaul

1.       Opposition parties are to only oppose anything and everything that the ruling party may legislate. Like, nuclear test during NDA regime was opposed / criticised by the entire opposition. BJP, while in opposition, opposed Aadhar Card implementation. This is not by choice, but as a duty because all political parties have implicit understanding on it.

2.       Anybody can float a party; anybody can become a politician; more the number of crimes more the reason to become a politician; always welcome in any / all party’s fold if capacity to garner votes (muscle power)

3.       Political parties are allowed to be run as a family fiefdom.

4.       Every MP and MLA can get away with whatever they may speak in both the houses of Parliament and respective Vidhan Sabhas. It provides criminals full lung power to cast all kinds of aspersions on their opponents. This provision leaves a very harmful impact on the common citizens. Like, Kejriwal felt bold enough to declare in Delhi Assembly that he and his 61 MLAs had no birth certificates and so they were passing a resolution against CAA. Were they born to animals? These kinds of statements are very highly provocative and help generate vicious environment all around.

5.       During election campaigns and public rallies all kinds of unsubstantiated allegations can be hurled on the political opponents knowing pretty well that they will go scot free. It creates bad environment and the message that goes across the public is that unsubstantiated charges can be hurled at others.

6.       Allowed to exploit the provision of ‘Freedom of Speech’ without any sense of responsibility. Grossly misused by the Communists, some of the Moulvis and the rabidly communal elements in both the Hindu and Muslim communities. Very evident during anti CAA protests. Even the politicians, while in opposition, have this indulgence; like, the way Sonia family publicly instigated people to move on to streets against CAA.

7.       Modern Indian establishments and political leaders have conscientiously shaped modern Indian societies in a way that they are particular only about their rights to avail anything and everything while the right to duty has long got lost into oblivion.  

8.       The Constitution of India talks of rights of all and sundry and ways to uphold them, does it talk of duties?

The Prescription for Cure:

If most of the rut has to be stopped then least that needs to be done is to bring a Bill in both the houses of Parliament that disallows politicians to hurl charges at their opponents both within the house and outside in public domain; as also in state Assemblies, without any plausible evidence/  material in hand. It should also have a provision to give exemplary punishment to violators.

‘Freedom of Speech’ needs to be debated in both houses of the Parliament so as to come to a consensus for redefining this freedom within some civilized constraints along with suitable punishments.

The opposition should be mandated to place scientifically based opposition to the ruling party’s programs including budget allocation and introduction of Bills. Speculative speeches that play to the gallery and essentially the vote bank outside should not be entertained in the houses of the Parliament and State Assemblies. Lung power and wastage of time (being paid for by the tax payer) in the Parliament should be dealt with strictly like showing immediately the door to mischief mongers.