Shiv Kumar Padha
India is the largest democracy, with the largest population in the whole world in terms of deliverance of social justice, guaranteeing of equitable development, safeguarding public liberties and rights and providing public amenities to its citizens irrespective of cast, creed, sex, religion and region. “Government of the people, by the people and for the people is the hallmark and main spirit behind the success of Indian democracy which stands on the four concrete pillars of legislature, executive, judiciary and press. Far the governance of the country all the four pillars must be strong and should work in rhythm and unison with each other. But the parliament and judiciary are the institution where the elected public representatives are entrusted with the noble job of framing the people friendly laws which go a long way in shaping and steering the destiny of its citizens whereas the judiciary acts as the watchdog against any deliberate infringement of their rights which are guaranteed by the constitution of the country. But in the present democratic set up of the country the political parties, in order to lure the voters and manage crowds in their rallies, are not only recruiting the star campaigners from among the Bollywood stars, singing icons and aces from the sports world only but they are offered parliamentary mandates also. It has been observed that many political parties whether ruling or in opposition do not hesitative even making clowns and jesters as the icons of their political parties. These celebrities, like square pegs in the round hole, are proving little of assets and more of liabilities on the national exchequer. Comparing their attendance and performance in the both houses of the parliament with the incentives, allowances and perks, which they draw from the poor tax payers pocket they are proving like white elephants for the nation. Undoubtedly the celebrities are the real maestros of their fields and professions. They are the shining stars of the galaxies which are bringing laurels for the nation and adding more and more feathers in the nations cap. Utilizing the services of the celebrities for the selfish motives by the covetous politicians tantamount to depriving the gullible voters from the capable and visionary representation and playing with the faith and confidence which they repose in this biggest institute of democracy in the country.
The old saying” only the bearer knows where his shoe pinches,” speaks about the people of the constituencies who have been bearing the brunt of being represented by the celebrities either in the legislative assemblies or in the parliament and as a result reeling under great sufferings due to the neglecting attitude of their elected celebrity MPs Or MLAs, towards the public because;
- The Multimillionaire celebrity’s representatives neither develop rapport, which they never like, with their voters nor they care for and always maintain a distance from them.
- They are seen in their constituencies only during their election campaign or on the day they express their gratitude to the voters. They show their faces once in a blue moon during their entire tenure of five years. The entire management of the home constituency is either entrusted to a man of their faith or is managed through the remote control from the places they transact their personal business.
- Their attendance and performance as MPs and MLAs in the august houses of parliament is too little to be compared with their non punctual an irregular counterparts in these houses.
- They are often seen more on the television screens advertising for the various products ranging from the kitchen articles to the golden ornaments, water purifiers to the spices and oils, medicines and the allied products for which they are paid an exorbitant amount more than they earn as being the hon’ble parliamentarians.
- Many of such celebrity law makers work as the brand ambassadors of many organizations and the production houses.
- Our Bollywood MPs keep themselves engaged in producing the feature films and their sequels from where, as reported, they earn hundreds of crores on the box offices in a month.
- Owing to their flourishing parental business and income they consider politics as their pastime from where they get political and social security against any illegal, immoral and anti national proceedings they are involved in.
In the context of the subject in hand it is pertinent to quote ADR, Association for democratic reports which give startling revelations that 82 % MPs are crorepatis in the parliament whose bread is being buttered both sides with the money hard earned by the farmers, laborers and the poor men. Who would not like to become MP or an MLa who gets a full nutritious thali of meals for RS. 29 0nly. It is astonishing how a poor man’s money is being doled out to our public ( crorepati and celebrity) public representatives. As regards the perks, salaries and allowances of our representative MPs and MLAS, in addition to their salaries they get,
4Additional compensation for sessions.
4Constituency allowances
4Office expanses.
4Dearness allowances.
4Infinite number of power units.
4Free Palacious bungalows, AC, Ref. TV, Curtains, covers, washing allowances in thousands, free air travel with spouse and many other hidden benefits etc.
While the country got rid of hundred of kings ruling the country before independence the nation was burdened with thousands of democratic kings in the shape of celebrity and crorepati MPS and MLAs, who instead of proving asset for the nation have become white elephants for the developing country like India where the poor people still live on the foot paths, inside the concrete pipes and compete with the animals for food on the heaps of garbage..
Every political party must think twice before offering the candidature to the crorepati celebrities neglecting capable persons in the elections. The elections are held after every five years to provide capable progressive, visionary and the people friendly government for the people not to showcase the celebrities in the Parliament as the glamourous showpieces. The political parties must take pity on the voters and help provide them capable representatives who can highlight their problems and can get them addressed. Engaging the celebrities in the politics can prove a blessing for the selfish politician but they are always a liability for the common man. Our politicians should stop burning the candle at the both ends.
According to PM Modi “A government doesn’t belong to any group but it must work for 130 crore people improving life style of every Indian.”
According to the Constitution of the country “No elected public representative can hold any office of profit during his/her tenure as it is the violation of the Constitution which they swear before entering the house of parliament or the legislative assemblies. Such type of violation is a crime which can lead to the disqualification of such celebrity law makers.”
(The writer is a social
activist from Basohli).
