[Reader-list] Is Indian democracy turning into a farce now?

[anupam chakravartty]

the problem about this so-called identitarian politics is that it tends to
homogenise one set of people loosly connected by their beliefs or under the
conditions in which they are born. i say, loosely connected because there
are several localised issues, which take a backseat in trying to create
something larger -- a larger voice of dissent may be. the belief that with
one voice of dissent at least some ends would be achieved on a larger scale
is what destroying these movements. had these people (namely bajrang dal or
taliban) looked inwards as to what's happening at their homes instead
worrying about who is capturing a photograph of them from the border areas,
they would have succeeded in achieving these ends and may be in reformation.
essentially this is not identitarian politics but a way to control human
minds through feudal beliefs. identitarian politics is not about
establishing the right to express one's views through democratic or whatever
means, it is a question of self realisation. a process which is inward
rather than articulations which are hollow.

On 6/20/09, Rakesh Iyer <rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear all
>
> The only point I wish to make through the above mail is one of duty or
> dharma, which is what I as a Hindu believe in and I think all Hindus should
> believe in it (This is my perception, and every Hindu is free to accept it
> or reject it).
>
> India is a democracy, and in a democracy people are free to express their
> views. Therefore, people are also free to decide upon issues which they
> consider as important, and those which they consider as not so important.
> In
> other words, people have the right to decide what they value and what they
> don't.
>
> However, with every right, is associated a duty. In this case, people have
> the duty to realize what issues are important for them and what not. And
> hence, if they do express their right to think of an issue as important,
> they must have a credible claim to back it up. The problem with
> organizations like the Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena or even the SIMI is that they
> are mixing up too many issues or making them appear too simplistic to
> achieve their own ends, which is not what is required.
>
> Therefore, they are not doing their duty, and since the Bajrang Dal
> believes
> it should serve the nation, it is doing a disservice to the own claim of
> what it is supposed to follow.
>
> Identity is not the lone major issue before us, and so my only request is
> that please let us not focus only on this. We have health, education and
> other issues to focus upon. Having myself put up some issues, I would be
> very happy if others can equally put forth other articles on other such
> issues as well, and infact increase the no. of such articles. That would be
> of great help.
>
> Regards
>
> Rakesh
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