Political Diary

New Delhi, 21 September 2013

State Funded Narcissism

MAIN KHAAS AADMI HOON!

By Poonam I Kaushish

It’s been a week of contradictions in India’s ongoing political nautanki. On one end sermons on austerity and the other homilies on jee huzooring before our mai baaps. Replete with State-funded narcissism by our run-of-the mill politicians’ experiments in vote-bank politics of doling freebies and increasing Dearness allowance of babus on the premise that Government’s money is nobody’s money. Exposing our fallacious tryst with good governance!

Our rulers never cease to amaze. Daily we are treated to some mindless antics, inane tantrums, silly shenanigans et al. But last week took the cake. The 15-member Parliamentary Committee on Violation of Protocol Norms and Contemptuous Behaviour of Government Officers has sought telephone and mobile records from the Telecom Department of a joint secretary after the MP from Andaman’s complained that the officer pushed him out of his office when he inquired about a tsunami-related proposal. Sic.

Juxtapose this with legislators coming to blows in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly after a State Minister asked a BJP MLA to “shut up” over the arrest of three of his Party colleagues for fomenting communal tension resulting in the Muzaffarnagar clashes. Never mind, if they exposed the private mukhota of their public chehra.

History stands testimony to the increasing vandalisation of Parliament and State Assemblies wherein pandemonium, hooliganism and adjournments have become their hallmark. Reducing the institutions which house the aspirations of the people, to perspiration and one-upmanship. Turning them into market places where leaders are bought and sold like prize bulls with the winner taking it all!

Less said the better of our polity’s ethics. Who follow one dictum: What is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander, as they busily revel in double standards. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part instead rule by law. No IDs’, no frisking and long queues, cars jumping red lights et al to exhibit their ‘power’ might. God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor, be prepared for open fury.

But, they demand everyone stand up every time they enter and leave a room and don’t want to wait to see anyone. Topped by an established code which states where they will be seated at public events and want every letter, e-mail or SMS they write to be immediately replied. Furthermore, invitations for all Government functions in their area, their names printed on invitation cards, punishment for anyone who forgets to put the name. Sic.

This is not all. They want a penal clause inserted under which if “due courtesies” are not extended to them and there is “violations of instructions it would entail departmental inquiry”. Gripped an MP, “Even junior bureaucrats seldom respond to queries therefore, we need a status upgrade.” Don’t they know that respect is commanded not demanded?

Flying broke Air India? High quality handling, read Maharaja treatment is the latest ego trip of our 800-odd MPs devised by Parliament’s House Committee. Starting from airport departure to arrival at destination: Airport manager to “meet” MP, accommodate in lounge, escort to plane and cabin crew to offer “compliments of the Captain”.

Manager to “monitor”, “liaise” and “ensure” flight operates on schedule, inform counterpart of MP’s seat number, baggage location and “special requirement at destination”. On arrival, manager to receive MP at arrival gate, escort to immigration, baggage claim, customs et al. Notwithstanding, they don’t deserve this extra importance. All at our expense.

Topped by wanting their official status upped four rungs in the Warrant of Precedence (protocol list of VVIPs hierarchy) so that their position doesn’t come below State Ministers and is on par with the High Courts Chief Justices. Notwithstanding, in UK, MPs do not figure in the Warrant of Precedence.

The moot point: Haven’t we had enough? Do they actually deserve this extra importance? Considering, most netas barely discharge their responsibilities honestly and honourably. How could they be so audacious? Big deal, if it leaves a bitter taste in the aam aadmi’s mouth. Whatever happened to democracy by the people, of the people, for the people?

Alas, over the years we have become used to the ‘more equals’ playing havoc with the people and getting away with it. Wherein there is a wide chasm between the aam aadmi and our khaas aadmis. Leading to increasing frustration, disconnect and contempt for the leaders which results in defiance by public servants and people at large. Countered by them collectively yelling: Breach of privilege, really?

The tragedy is that even as the country saunters into the 21st century for our ruling neo maharajas the vestige of 19th century India still lingers on. Bruised by a feudal oligarchy, colonial hangover and pummeled self-esteem our leaders have combined the power of democracy, vote-bank politics and populism to become a force to reckon with for acquiring and retaining power. Barricading themselves from growing public anger with more security and erecting metal nets at rallies.

Not a few aver that politics is all about perception. That there’s justifiably a strong element of symbolism and show associated with an elected public office. Which translates in to not only living life king-size but nauseatingly flaunting it. A convenient alibi for their two afflictions: Acute Orwellian syndrome of “some are more equal than others” and Oliver’s disorder, “always asking for more”.

Yet, at the same time they continue to make the right noises, albeit launching an austerity drive by banning Government departments from holding meetings in 5-star hotels, barring officials from flying business class,  not buying new vehicles, creating new jobs or filling posts lying vacant for over one year etc.

Who are they fooling? If there is no money in the Government till and a burgeoning current account deficit why the 10 per cent hike in dearness allowance of 50 lakh bureaucrats which is going to cost the exchequer thousands of crores. What to speak of the Rs 1.34 lakh crores cost of the Food security Bill. Silly, these total votes.

Arguably, what kind of governance lies ahead? Clearly the time has come for our polity to blow away the cobwebs of a political psyche fattened on ineptitude, callousness and cynicism and realize that unnecessary privileges are co-terminus with an increase in accountability. One does not need an increasing fiscal deficit or farmers suicides to alert the Government to the urgency of cutting extraneous hidden expenditure. This is the only way the nation can progress rapidly.

Importantly, we need to evolve a code of governance wherein our rulers need to remember a home-truth: With power comes responsibility whereby they must deserve before they can desire. The writing is on the wall. If our netagan do not change they will become increasingly irrelevant. Gone are the days when leaders were revered, today they symbolise everything that plagues India, warts and all.

As a new generation comes of age their concept of democracy is based on the fundamental premise of equality for all. Wherein, holding free and fair periodic elections alone does not conotate true democracy. India requires a commitment to transparency, honesty and a sense of fair play. Not emblematic gestures which total a zero-sum game! ----- INFA 

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)