Business Standard / New Delhi Mar 22, 2010, 00:29 IST
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati Kumari, is not the first person to so brazenly challenge the values that define democratic politics. In publicly accepting cash donations, presented as a garland of currency notes, Ms Mayawati is cocking a snook not just at her political opponents but at the entire political order. Her supporters say Ms Mayawati is doing in full public view what most politicians do behind closed doors! Even so, the spectacle of accepting currency garlands is both distasteful and can amount to a corrupt practice if the cash accepted is not properly accounted for. The Reserve Bank of India has, in fact, taken a dim view of the practice of making garlands with currency notes. Both the income tax department and the central bank should serve notices on Ms Mayawati and her political party and seek an explanation for the funds garnered so far and for the manner in which this was done.
Regrettably, some Dalit intellectuals and her party spokespersons have proffered a wholly-unacceptable justification for this bizarre display of fund collection by Ms Mayawati. It is a Dalit woman’s way of asserting her newly-acquired power, say some. It is a new style of politics, say others. The protests against this incident are nothing more than the jealousy of the upper castes, say some others. All of this is utter balderdash. Ms Mayawati is neither the first leader of the oppressed Dalits of India, nor the first woman to rise to such heights of power. Consider the dignified manner in which both Dr B R Ambedkar, the great Dalit intellectual and architect of the Indian Constitution, empowered India’s downtrodden? Consider his integrity and honesty and his towering intellect. Consider also the dignified manner in which Ms Mayawati’s mentor, the late Shri Kanshi Ram, conducted himself. Why does this lady find it necessary to adopt such openly fascist and unpleasant methods to boost her image, power and wealth? In what way does this in-your-face style of Ms Mayawati empower India’s Dalits? Imitating the corrupt ways of the ancient regime cannot be the best way of destroying it. It appears Ms Mayawati’s intent is not so much to empower Dalits, as to enrich herself.
The long-oppressed and inhumanly discriminated people around the world have contrasting role models of leaders who have led them to freedom and dignity. Consider the example of Nelson Mandela, upright, honest, dignified. One only wishes Ms Mayawati had adopted Barrack Obama, the first black president of the United States, as her role model. An intellectual giant, a proud professional, a man of proven honesty and integrity, President Obama has inspired the oppressed African American people and is inspiring new generations of blacks to complete their schooling and take up professional jobs, instead of a life of drugs and crime. Rather than be inspired by Mr Obama, Ms Mayawati seems to want to emulate the distasteful political career of the likes of Jacob Zuma and Robert Mugabe! What a pity.
This is a wake-up call to people who vote on basis on religion, caste ,language.Just voting for somebody who has the same caste as you does not lead to anything. Dalits should realize this by now but unfortunately even their intellectuals are consumed by paranoia and feel secure only when Dalits are at the helm. Empty pride at Maya's wealth is not going to fill your stomachs is it?
Atleast Mayawati is honest enough to admit she deals in cash. When will our other politicians come to terms with it? I am sure the other "leaders" also own up to what they do, and they could be very pleasantly surprised that the masses will vote for them!
It's a matter of having the feeling that you are unbeatable that leads to such arrogant displays, whether it be this episode involving Mayawati, or the utter i-couldn't-care-less attitude of the UPA towards sky-high inflation or issues like women's reservation, nuclear liability.
Corrupt politicians are not a new phenomenon in India, but brazen corruption is a new low. The response should be swift and firm.. throw her out of politics for all time and into jail. It is now clear which section of society will spearhead this response and it is difficult to choose. What India needs is a revolution today, of the sort that Mahatma Gandhi launched against the British. What is tragic is that this revolution will be against our own..
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