It was quite heartening to see some politicians especially from the Congress Party and other newly emerging parties extending their support to the people opposing the Defence expo which is going to take place against the people’s wishes with an aura of secrecy with the people of Goa totally unaware on what’s cooking and this does not augur well in a democracy.
It is true that for democracy to function properly the role of the opposition is vital but the absence of prominent politicians who were associated with the opposition on this event remaining conspicuously absent at the public meeting in Quitol on Sunday’s protest against the Defence expo protest raises some interesting questions as they had gained quite some publicity by lending their support in their opposition towards the Defence expo. Can it be true that they have now lost steam or are arm twisted possibly for their previous acts of omission or commission which is a normal trend nowadays to silence any opposition.
Coming back to the Defence expo 2016 in Goa has thrown all democratic norms to the winds and the rate such things are currently observed at the state and even national level, the very functioning of democracy in actual practice in our country leaves a big question mark!
In the case of the Defence expo, it is done in such secrecy, totally ignoring the local concerned authorities and in fact most Goans are unaware of what it is all about at present and in future and I would ask, is this democracy “BJP style?”
‘Democracy’ as we have learnt in former American President Abraham Lincoln’s view is “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.” But as per the existing situation it is observed that such democracy as now in practice is ‘OFF’ the people, ‘BUY’ the people and ‘FRAUD’ the people.
Therefore it becomes imperative that ‘WE’ the people understand and become ‘aware’ of our politicians (elected and aspiring), their parties, their agendas (hidden and otherwise), know them threadbare and give their fitting reply during the “battle of the ballot”. Crocodile tears and false promises should not unnerve us from facts and our decisions on the right choice.
Till then let us hope and strive that better sense and counsel prevails among ‘US.’ (the people).
