This was starkly apparent in the election of Donald Trump where the most qualified candidate for the post of President was rejected for the most unqualified. Truth was the greatest casualty. Hillary Clinton actually got more votes than Trump, but their system of Electoral College prevails. Our system also is flawed as it is first past the post. Today’s propaganda refuses to entertain any other but own views! Democracy has to be saved from being trampled upon by majorantism and manipulation of vote banks. It has also to be saved from pseudo elitism which ignores the underprivileged and looks down upon the masses. Veteran film maker Prakash Jha stated during IFFI interaction at the Black Box Kala Academy “In this country as far as cinema, literature and culture is concerned, there is no freedom of expression. If you try and name someone with whose sub title a community associates, they will kill you”.
Coming to the truth, reminds me of the saying “There are those hypocrites who so dislike the nude that they find something indecent in the naked truth”. Poet William Blake says “A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies that you can invent!” In our televised talk shows there is outright denial of facts by the government spokesperson and arrogant views of public opinion. The internet and social media is a modern tool where cut and paste lies and myth proliferate. Scientific findings are ridiculed by those in power. They will use statistics to prove that with your head in the oven and feet in the refrigerator, on an average your temperature is normal! Mahatma Gandhi who believed in Satya Mayve Jayathe (Truth shall prevail) is passé. The BJP and RSS have brought Hindu myths at centre of Indian politics. Modi avoiding two way Press conferences has in his monthly Mann Ki Bath managed to convince the Janta being an ex chai wallah, fakir, pro- poor and “No pain, no gain”. After demonetisation the gung-ho government is now forcing a cashless economy. Never mind if you are a senior citizen, small trader, less educated migrant or labor who finds it upsetting to suddenly go digital and can easily be taken for a ride by helpers/others. It has now been turned from a war on black money to a war on all currency. Goa was ordered to switch to all cashless transactions by end December. Dangerous, as government can render opponent pauper freezing bank account alleging misdeeds?
First and foremost are basics like fast reliable internet services and power supply. A gadda operator says “What do I do if a person who eats my cutlet pao has no money in the bank to pay me?” It takes time besides money to buy and recharge a smart phone with charges to be paid to the service provider. Swipe machines also generally have hire and transaction charges. Even if poor people imbibe the latest technology, they can’t afford it. There is the operative part and safety where fraudsters and hacking is prevalent. The haste into digital money will lead to exploitation of vulnerable sections of society. It will also tempt people into unnecessary spending! Let us learn to get up and balance and then walk fast prudently before we can run? It is also apparent that majority of undisciplined Indians need the “danda” to change.
People have to filter deception and lies. It is alleged that Modi and Amit Shah both knew about demonetisation months before and large number of properties and assets have been bought in the name of BJP. Asking their MPs and MLAs to give details of their bank accounts only from 8th November to end December and only to Amit Shah maybe an attempt at post truth? Modi assured public normalcy would return in 50 days. Now he reportedly says “after 50 days the situation will improve slowly, slowly!” Their national spokesperson emphasises cashless scheme in Goa is being ushered through discussion with public and nothing would be forced on anyone! After flooding India with Rs 2000 notes, RBI blames people for hoarding Rs 100 notes and is hastening cashless transactions to cover their inability to replace demonetised cash. The Delhi High Court held both BJP and Congress prima facie guilty of violating the law on foreign funding! Political parties get 80% of their funds from unknown sources. Without monetary or any other limit political parties are exempt from scrutiny or income tax! Politicians give themselves increasing government salaries and perks yet they are not public employees and exempt from RTI? By demonetisation Modi has achieved control over everything and everyone. The RBI is reduced to issuing PMO directions, the banks, corporate entities, business helplessly must comply, and people bearing the brunt expecting end of black money and corruption. When we were told Rs 500 notes have arrived in Goa, not one of the many banks or disbursing points I visited subsequently received any. Does anyone remember promises of minimum government, maximum governance? Modi has a jumbo cabinet and every patriotic crusade brings more officialdom, inspectors, rules and permits curtailing freedom and human rights. Will inspector raj return? Rahul Gandhi boasted he had earthquake and bullet-proof evidence of personal corruption of Modi. At time of writing only he seems privy to it. The Oxford dictionary has declared “post truth” the 2016 word of the year!
(The author is a retired naval officer and Freelance writer.)
