A social activist and a present day politician

Shiv Kumar Padha

While the social activists work and fight for the welfare of the masses the politicians do the same for the loaves and fishes of the offices’. This type of the work culture speaks loud about the ultimate aims, objectives and intentions behind their modus organdie in the public life. It is an established truth that the social activists of the time have been bringing about more changes and reforms in their contemporary societies all over the world as compared to their unpredictable politicians. As per the definition, social activism implies working with other people to bring about a change in society. The word “social” applies both to “society “and to the idea that the activism fosters opportunities for participation. It reflects a personal choice to engage in society for working towards the reforms of institutions, behaviors, relations, and expectations in society, whereas the main emphasis of majority of the present day politicians is to act in such a way as can help them grind about their own axis in order to achieve their long cherished political aspirations even at the cost of the sentiments and emotions of the people they pose as their well-wishers.’ There had never been dearth of social reformers and activists in the country who had been successful in their endeavor for the reformations and in their fight against the social evils, for the eradication of mal practices and orthodoxies prevalent in their contemporary societies. There is an endless list of the such reformers and activists but for whose efforts the Indian society would have perished since long and would have not emerged as one of the civilized and progressive nation on the globe. It is pertinent to list the names of some of the social activists who brought about such reforms in the society which are proving quite relevant and worth appreciating even in the present Indian scenario.

1. Ishwar Chander Vidyasagar, under the guidance of Keshav Chander Sen started the reforms movement in India in 1864.
2. Swami Viveka Nand the disciple of Rama Krishna Param Hansa instilled life and breath in the dying soul of Hinduism, His sermons, “Atmano Mokshartham JagatMitya Ch:
3. Jyotiba Phule fought for poor, women and untouchable and founded Satya shodak Samaj to liberate shudras and untouchables.
4. Ravinder nath Tagore had been writer of National Anthem for India and Bangla desh. He is known as educationist, social reformer Philosopher painter poet and a known social activist.
5. Meda Patekar, a political/ economist, fought on the issues of farmers, laborers, Dalits and women.
6. Bandna Shiva,Aruna Roy, Kiran Bedi, Mother Terrisa had been the famous social activists and reformers.
7. Anna Hazare Padam Bhushan awardee1992 fought against corruption discrimination against rural population in the matters of development. He advocated for the need of transparency in all matters of governance.
8. Laxmy Aggarwa lIndian Acid attack survivor and television anchor,Shubam Mistry founder of Akanksha foundation.
9. Vinobha Babe famous for Bhoodan movement .
10. Swamy Daya Nand Sarswati instilled pride in religion and self confidence in thousands of Indians and paved way for the rise of national movement on 7 april 1875. Restored Hinduism to its traditions and culture.
11. Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 19 th century fought against superstitions, cast system remarriage of widows and brought about many socio religious reforms in the society.
    What we are today is the result of the efforts of our reformers and social activists of the time.
    These days the politics and politicians are defined the way they are behaving in the society. Though the politics has been defined in multiple ways but the essence has always remained the same. Politics has now become a playfield of scoundrels, a dirty game, a hobby of clever characters who do not speak truth even by mistake. The said interpretations of politics and politicians have become most befitting in the present era than ever before. Gone are the days when honesty, morality, truth were the hallmarks for a successful political career. These days, as it is observed, a successful politician is the one who is adept in the art of manipulation and maneuverability, who can speak lies with great ease, which never means what he says and never says what he means. Truthfulness, consistency and honesty are no longer considered as the virtues in the life of the present politicians.
    There was a time when country had its leaders and the politicians the persons of dignity, high caliber, the persons of principals and of high morale, and had been true nationalists and patriots to the back bone. The present India is the result of the contributions of these leaders and politicians who laid the foundation of the present India on the concrete grounds, but the country has been watching a sudden down fall in the standards of the politics and its politicians which has never been so low as it is being observed ever since they faced Waterloo during the parliamentary elections of 2014 and 2019.
    Since the last one decade the nation is experiencing a great upheaval and fall in the standards of speech, use of inappropriate, insulting language, passing derogatory, defamatory remarks against each other by the politicians with a sole purpose of tarnishing each other’s image by the character assassinations and mudslinging game. The standard of the Indian politicians have never been so low as it is seen these days where the disgruntled politicians, in their endeavor of toppling the elected governments lock, stock and barrel, do not hesitate in passing the blaspheming and seditious remarks against other religions, their gods and their own country only to please a particular community at the instance of their mentors sitting in the hostile countries with their sole aim of the destabilizing integrity, sovereignty and tranquility of Bharat.
    In the wake of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in 2024 the race of hate speeches, spitting venom against the targeted community, political, security forces, and all the pillars of Indian democracy is gaining momentum every day. The political leaders in league with their sympathizers in other countries are sparing no efforts in bifurcating the Indian society on the bases, casts, sub casts, privileged and non privileged classes, languages, beliefs, faiths, regions and religions. As the parliamentary elections in the country are drawing near the actual intentions and faces of our politicians, hidden behind the deceptive mask, is being exposed day by day in their action and speeches.
    A set of self proclaimed philanthropist of the country have initiated a derive against their own democratically elected governments outside the land and tarnishing the image of India on the international fora. These leaders, out of their jealous attitudes, have set a negative narrative against India and its government at a time when India is emerging as a third economy in the world, when the status of India has never been so high as it is now among the most popular, powerful and developed countries of the world. These responsible politicians must give hundred thoughts before uttering even a small syllable against their own country rather they must exhibit allegiance to the republic of India from the core of their hearts. It is the beauty of a democratic government where our representatives can exchange hot but decent words and sometimes come to the blows but they must restrain themselves from indulging in the activities and making the statements which prove detrimental both for the peace and harmony of the country and help maintain the brotherhood and fraternity in the country. It is the sincere advice to the politicians to keep one thing always in mind, country first, political parties second and the religion last. Only the sincere honest social activists and the politicians can steer the nation in the direction of development peace and prosperity.