Recently, I came across a rather close friend's profile on a social networking site. In the 'Political Views' field, she had happened to write something which triggered off a series of questions in my mind, along with the following words- 'Immature. Irresponsible. Ill-informed'.
She had written 'I hate politicians' as an answer.
She's, as I've already mentioned, close to me. Therefore, I'd very much like to tell her that her, um, 'candid' statement doesn't answer the question anybody visiting her profile would want to know about. In fact, sadly, it doesn't make any sense at all. WHAT KIND OF POLITICIANS IS SHE REFERRING TO? But what's even sadder is- this is how most people think today. And they cannot be labelled with something like 'lack of political knowledge' like my unfortunate friend here. Maybe it's just a result of something that's actually existed once, if not still. Corrupted ministers. Bribing. Red-tapism. Yes, we've all seen too many Hindi movies and too many news bulletins on that. But frankly, I would not like to believe that Sonia Gandhi is somebody to be hated. Or for that matter, her children, Omar Abdullah, or the likes of them. They are more sophisticated and respectable than probably most of us could ever be. At least that's what I feel.
Politics is not just politicians. It can never be. It refers to the complete system of managing the state of affairs of a state/country. Yes, definitely, India has produced some, ahem, 'great' leaders, those working their hands under the table, but are all of them like that? Maybe 90%, but some part of me, foolish, if you may call it, likes to believe the rest ARE working for the people. It's the remaining 10% that can make all the difference in the world, but only if WE want them to. Maybe we're all just so used to the idea of calling ministers 'wolves' that nobody really sees the sheep in between them.
It's really convenient for somebody with a Honda Civic to sit in their 4-BHK, completely air-conditioned home with a bowl of chips in their hands to say - 'Politics sucks. Politicians suck. I would rather watch Rakhi Sawant talking about her smooch than Sonia Gandhi making a speech'. And I hate such kind of people. Why do they call themselves Indians in the first place? Why would he/she want to give up all of that and get his/her hands dirty when he/she can easily get a job in an MNC? And BECAUSE of his/her inability to understand how somebody CAN, such comments follow.
What I said above DOES NOT imply in any way that politicians do not earn/they give up their lives only for the sake of people. Some of them have assets worth over 500 Crores. But the fact remains- those who actually work for people's good CANNOT make that kind of money. Now THOSE are the kind of polticians my dear friend should be talking about.
I've always believed that nobody is born bad. Circumstances change people. It's the struggle to survive in this world that corrupts people. And it's not like changing them is impossible. Just because somebody doesn't have much of political know-how doesn't give them the right to complain about those who happen to.
I would only like to advise my friend, and anyone who thinks the same way- start reading up on your basics. And do not put up escapist answers just beause it's convenient. You're just running away from reality.
