TRAITS OF A GOOD POLITICIAN

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 9/22/2020 12:25:10 PM

MAHADEEP SINGH JAMWAL Bhagavad Gita in its chapter 3 verse 21 mentions that the political leader is very much significant as he influences the elementary building blocks of the nation. Therefore, he has the strength to metamorphose the nation through its roots. “Yadyad Aacharati Shreshthas Tattadevetaro Janah; Sa Yat Pramaanam Kurute Lokas Tad Anuvartate”, meaning that whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. We come across specific words used in this verse and appreciated with respect to qualities of a politician are: ‘Acharati’, ‘Shreshthas’, and ‘Pramaanam’. The word ‘Acharati’ means he should first act on Himself. He should not only be able to understand the difficulties of his civilians but should also feel them. Whichever ideal qualities he expects from the nation, he must first possess them. By acting on himself, he should inspire others. The word ‘Shrèshta’ means he should be respected by all. If the nation respects him, he will be able to inspire all. One who is worthy of no respect cannot motivate the youngsters to the true path of glory. A nation is ashamed of such a political leader, diplomats work for him and the people struggle for him. He thus makes the nation weak and fragile giving advantage to the enemies to penetrate within. The word ‘Pràm nàm’ means he should be evident: He must never be overwhelmed or should try to artificially mold others. His actions should be direct evidence of his words. His words and his deeds should not contradict. His very personality should be natural evidence of his influence. He should spontaneously carry the nation with him. The only human right mentioned is the right to perform one’s duty or dharma. Modern politics are far away from it. Presently real politics are not the politics of right or wrong but anything involving them, is good policy, for the simple reason that they feel themselves to be ‘Demi-Gods’ of ‘Kaliyug’ and but they speak is always right, and anything not involving them is bad politics. There is nothing specific about politics. Politics is just the field of activity prescribed for ruling by proper administration ensuring protection of citizens from internal and external influences or attacks. The present politics practiced by ruling dispensation is to crush all those who are not aligned to their taste of policies and programmes and always propagating to corner such voices. They appear to be influenced by the vision as we find in Mahabharata that all Dharma is on their side and all Adharma on other side. The only difference we notice is that Lord Krishna has persuaded Arjuna to kill his kin as there was a justification - Pandavs were right and Kauravas were wrong and present dispensation has underlying agenda to silence its opponents. Politics can sometimes be difficult to follow, but it pays to be knowledgeable of pressing issues that deal with current and future issues of nation and its subjects. It is a subject and good idea if one wants to be a meaningful part of national conversation. Many people have given some really great suggestions for a better understanding of politics and current state in India. A book titled ‘When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics’ by Milan Vaishnav is a strong depiction of the role of money and muscle in Indian politics. This book allows one to have a better understanding of the way politics is done in this country. We can define the politics as the process of making decisions applying to all members of each group. More narrowly, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance as organized control over a human community, particularly a state, or a country. Whenever politicians deviate from the original and accepted norm to uplift themselves or their clan to gain all the undue advantage and to propagate himself as individual Godman or just to be in the power that can be considered as Dirty Politics. Same rule applies for individuals as well. In India, we practice all sort of politics ranging from ‘Dynasty Politics’, ‘Oppressive Politics’, ‘Provocative Politics’, ‘Appeasement Politics’, and most dangerous the ‘Divisive Politics’. Although ‘Dynasty Politics’ era seems to be over that has been now occupied by the ‘Oppressive Politics’, ‘Provocative Politics’ and ‘Divisive Politics’ and of course by the ‘‘Appeasement Politics’. The present political dispensation is often murmured as ‘Chanakya’ but in real sense this terminology refers to a person who can control the field of power. Such a person is amoral, pragmatic, understands ‘human nature’ and knows how to manipulate it, which uses every means possible to achieve the outcome they want. How far it applies to the politics at present, I, leave space to readers? When someone is running the government especially in democracy, that person should be open to criticism. Everyone will not agree or will not have the same opinion and that is the main crust of Democracy. But being an autocratic leader, not listening to people who voted for them, and loading his own thought and scaring people to maintain own position can be termed as oppressive politics. Losing the shackles from over the stooges and pampering the blind followers to act upon other communities on the basis of religion, class, and creed come under ‘Provocative Politics’. ‘Divisive Politics’ in clear term is the reflection of British ideology ‘Divide and Rule. ‘Appeasement Politics’ is the most popular and easy form to get into politics in India. Seeing the overwhelming success, it is practiced by many politicians in India. It is the easiest form to stay in power. Not much effort needed and result is almost guaranteed. What counts in a politician’s life is not the mere fact that he had remained in governance office for how many years mandated by the voters but it is what difference he had made to the lives of populace he governed that will determine the significance of the delivery he made. We are judged by the hopes we inspire. In the end, leaders should be judged by their actions, since in the end, it was actions that defined everyone. The author can be reached out at 999expo999@gmail.com

 

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