Retributions  

Now, don’t complain

Perhaps, it is the heat. Perhaps, it is the chance to go on a long vacation. Perhaps, it is even the deep cynicism about the political process. But by choosing not to vote–even in constituencies where there were viable alternatives, South Mumbai is a prime example–the Indian voter has again proved that he does not appear to care: For governance; for security; and for economic progress.

In a democracy, marching against political leaders and raving and ranting on blogs is certainly an option. But it is no substitute for actually participating in the political process and punishing leaders for failing to deliver on their promises. The political class is certainly a problem and its failure to inspire India’s voters is an issue which calls for deep introspection but voters deserve their fair share of blame for their apathy too.

Naturally, a disproportionate share of the blame must go to the Indian elite. In any democracy the elite guides the democracy because it has the time, the financial resources and the intellectual ability to formulate a set of policies to guide governance. Its influence can be due to direct interventions in policy debates or by contributing to universities and policy institutes to strengthen the broader framework of policy making.  In contrast, the Indian elite has preferred to secede from the republic refusing to fulfil even the most basic obligation of citizenship: voting.

Perhaps, if to no one else, the elite owes an explanation to the multitudes of the poor who, despite gaining little from the Indian republic, have shown more faith in it than those who have benefited most from it.