ELECTIONS IN INDIA

A DANCE OF DEMOCRACY 

OR 

A VICIOUS PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN 

The recent elections in various states have made me think, whether the Elections in India are a “Dance of Democracy” or a “Dance of Vicious Propaganda”.

The campaign in various states – particularly in the state of Gujarat –  became vicious and abusive. 

The Voters have gradually become disenchanted with the false promises. The political parties seem to have decided to indulge in abusive and ridiculous mockery to attract voters.

Some leaders have changed horses in their own interest. They are indulging in bitter and false propaganda against those very parties they were riding sometime back. The voters are being misled by one way or the other. 

Is it really a Dance of Democracy or a misleading election campaign which weakens Democracy – I feel that “Dance of Democracy” which was commonly used during the election in India has become outdated. Election season in India has become an escape from reality and genuine public opinion. 

This transformation should be a cause of concern and worry for all right thinking individuals.

In the recent elections – the period preceding the actual date of elections was highly disorienting. The propaganda was so designed as to befuddle and confuse the voters. The confounding nature of propaganda could be seen from long road shows, abundance of posters, issue of promissory guarantee cards to fulfill the promises if elected. 

One of the characters of Shakespeare had said that “All the World’s a stage”. The entire election season was a “Stage”. The political parties “Staged Political Rallies and noisy TV Debates”. 

The Citizens may have felt living inside “An Advertisement Theatre”, with publicity material floating around and encircling them to hoodwink the voters. During this stage managed Dance of Democracy, hardly any time was left to the citizens to pause, think and understand how and in what way the real issues and problems facing them and the country as a whole would be solved.

A VOTER IS TOLD AGAIN & AGAIN THAT HE IS THE KING. IN REALITY HE BECOMES A PAWN DUE TO HIGH VOLTAGE FALSE, VICIOUS PROPAGANDA AND THEATRICAL RHETORICS DURING THE ELECTIONS.

By C Pal Singh

President NISSMAT (International)