Opinion How democracy plays out in Bengal

Politicians may use modern technology,but have they learnt how to talk with decorum in public? When TV became a medium for political usage in the West,strict norms were put in place. Hardcore theatre-type training was given to all party officials on the etiquette of talking to the public when appearing in front of TV cameras.

The opposition as enemy: In the 4th-5th century BC,the Greeks combined Demos meaning people and Kratos meaning power,to convey democracy,which means rule of the people. Bengali politicians use “democracy” like salt and sugar,peppering every savoury or sweet speech with the slogan of democracy. The difference in such usage is to get people’s vote by hook or crook and then drive the immense power that accompanies that win.

When the ruling party talks of the opposition as birodhi dol,their tone translates it as “enemy party.” Democratic decorum dictates that whether they won with 51 per cent or 70 per cent votes,they have to rule 100 per cent of the people,so calling citizens birodhi dol is disrespectful. To be powerful and effective,a democracy needs a strong Opposition. In developed countries,it is a wide-awake Opposition that ensures the country’s peace,sustainability and eco-system.

The way both sides use birodhi dol in Bengal,it incites skirmishes among the common party workers. The repercussion is the unending tears of so many mothers who,day after day,are losing their children in political squabbles in Bengal.

The lack of serious development situations for driving demos and kratos may well be happening in other states,but as I understand Bengal very well,even though I left my refugee colony home when I was 19,I can observe these devastating consequences there. I still go to different villages and small towns in Bengal to interact with consumers for my work. From here I can gauge people’s feelings,how in their deprivation of so many of life’s essentials,such politics appear hollow to them. I often hear that nobody can predict the next 10 years and that,“This is shameful,there’s no future for the young generation of Bengal.”

A stark comparative example is Bangalore,which was a city for retired people before the 1991 economic reforms. Today,several global companies have based their R&D centres here. The software exports figures in 2008-9: Karnataka earned Rs 74,929 crores while West Bengal earned Rs 5,129 crores only.

Politics cannot solve livelihood issues: Irrespective of which party comes to power,unemployment cannot be substituted by political Torja,the popular entertaining rebuttal tradition in Bengal. In modern democracy,if individuals have to forcibly align themselves as visible supporters of a certain party to generate a livelihood,it’s a break down of democracy. Is politicising a state in a pseudo-capitalistic country the right direction? If the masses are busy with activities like processions,bandhs etc,where is the time to work? Because politics is becoming central for the livelihood of the masses in West Bengal,crime and death have increased substantially,beyond limits.

The two contending parties for Bengal’s Assembly elections continuously berate and attack each other,as though the country has only two abscesses,the Railways and 30-years-of-deficient-governance. They boast of their ability to unexpectedly draw huge crowds to political rallies,as though they were counting heads of a performing artist’s fans. The mass populace that is their victims already knows the dubious tactics used to collect crowds from villages. Wouldn’t political parties do well to concentrate on keeping their election promises to the masses? With industrial development,employment can increase to change the country’s economic situation. The masses and industries need not then depend on any political party.

Business,science,art and philosophy cannot become by-products of politics. “Politics” comes from the Greek word “Politika.” In 3rd century BC,Aristotle wrote a book called Affairs of the city,on governing and governments. Instead of treading on everybody’s toes by misinterpreting the original meaning of words like politics and democracy,our politicians would be better appreciated if they stuck to the politics of governance.

To get a job,an individual should not have to knock the door of a political party. Politics in a democracy should uplift a state’s socio-economic situation. If industry is not given freedom to expand and make profits,will global companies ever consider investing in Bengal to make it an industrial and service hub for economic development?

Shombit Sengupta is an international creative business strategy consultant to top management. Reach him at http://www.shiningconsulting.com