Indian Democracy glitters. AS the World's largest democracy (in terms of number of voters), it glows a lot. But Indian democracy is fragile. Indian Democracy allures. But it is deceptively illusive. Indians are a complacent and self-congratulating lot. For this reason only, once Retd. Supreme Court Justice Markandeya Katzu once said that 90% of Indians were fools. (Later, under pressure, he withdrew his observation). The SORDID goings on in Chennai, after the death of Ms. Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, amply demonstrate this.
A non-issue like jalli-kattu was made a big issue to derive political gains
First there was a State Level strike, on a non-issue like 'jalli kattu' (A traditional sport which involves taming of bulls/bullocks, by large number of youth, while making it to run between rows of crowds, tackling their horns, tails, what not. Some times the bulls may get hurt, and finally surrender. Sometimes, youth(s) may also get hurt. At the instance of PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals), in pursuance of litigation in High Court and Supreme Court, the violent sport was banned. All the political parties, many film stars, cultural bodies instigated people to resort to violence. ULtimately for political reasons, the Tamil Nadu Government in consultation with the Central Government, promulgated an Ordinance, followed by a BIll in the State Legislature, fore legalizing jallikattu.
Why do you consider that Indian Democracy is fragile and illusive?
Where else in the World, you will find legislators being transported in buses, like prisoners loaded into jail vans, and then confined to Hotel Rooms, with all provisions for alcohol, and probably some sexual appeasements. But, this is not the first time it is happening. It happened in United Andhra Pradesh State twice --in 1984 at the instance of N.T. Rama Rao, and in 1995 at the instance of Mr. Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, who led a coup against his father-in-law, Late N.T. Rama Rao. Are legislators sheep? Are legislators thieves, to be imprisoned? Why don't they say "No" and come out of the Hotels, declaring their freedom and independence, like free Citizens? Among nearly 117 legislators who were said to be supporting Ms. Sasikala, only one Legislator fled from the Confinement, that too, on the pretext of buying some dresses. Why didn't the State's Chief Secretary and Director General of Police visit the Hotels where the legislators were confined, and obtain confirmation letters from them that they were not confined, and that they were staying there on their own?
All these ills are arising, because there is no secret ballot!
Legislators are unable to exercise their discretion, and express their views freely, because of the confinement. This is owing to the system of a) only Ruling Party legislators electing their Leader in an Open Session. If there is a Secret Ballot, this problem would not have arisen.
b) Why should only Ruling Party MLAs participate in the Election? All the Legislators of all the parties, and independent members, can be given a vote to participate in the Election of the Chief Minister / Prime Minister. Electing a Chief Minister / Prime Minister cannot be the right exclusively reserved to Ruling Party MLAs/MPs. The entire Legislature should participate in it.
It will be better if Government of INdia introduces a bill in the on-going Parliament Session, to frame a suitable amendment to the existing Laws. If necessary, Constitution of India can also be amended.
All the Opposition Parties are likely to support introduction of Secret Ballot for election of Chief Ministers and Prime Minister.
There is a possibility of this problem repeating in any / some of the States like Uttar Pradesh, Uttara Khand, Punjab, which are going to polls, this month. Hence, the Central Government, and the Opposition Parties should wake up and meet the problem half-way in advance.
JAYALALITHAA HER-SELF WAS A QUEEN OF CORRUPTION
Or else, why should a Trial Court, after examining thousands of thousands of pages of documents, spending 18 years for the trial, hearing numerous witnesses, declare her guilty, in a Disproportionate Assets Case? Strangely, the Appellate High Court in May 2015, made a diametrically opposite decision, and acquitted her, in a very short time. Then on an appeal from the Karnataka Government, the Supreme Court took up the case, and is still to be considered as pending, as the Court reserved its judgement.
Even common sense suggests that, though Ms. Jayalalithaa was a leading film star in her halcyon days, it is nearly impossible for any honest person to amass THROUGH HONEST MEANS: 1,200 hectares including the farm houses and bungalows in Chennai, agricultural land, a farm house in Hyderabad, a tea estate in the Nilgiris 800 kg silver, 28 kg gold, 750 pairs of shoes, 10,500 sarees, 91 watches and other valuables. Like Late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, the Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh, who died in a Helicopter mishap, Ms. Jayalalithaa seems to be a lucrepath (a pathological ailment, where the person affected is pulled and pushed by a restless desire to make money, by hook or crook. If the people of Tamil Nadu voted her to power repeatedly, then they must really have been fools, or else the Democracy in India, must be ILLUSIVE.
An impression exists, which appears to be prima facie valid, is that Ms. Sasikala is sitting on a pile of stashed currency, gold and valuables left on this Earth by Ms. Jayalalithaa, and that wealth may be used by Ms. Sasikala for purchasing Tamil Nadu M.L.As. People believe that Ms. Jayalalithaa died intestate, and the Government ought to have acted swiftly, to verify truth and take possession of all the valuables in Poes Gardens, including the Poes Garden, other assets in Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad both Fixed Assets and Movables, before unscrupulous persons holding their custody, and who happen to be non-heirs capturing them, and making them their own. Though Ms. Sasikala lived in Poes Garden as a purported companion of Ms Jayalalithaa , she is not Jayalalithaa's legal heir. Initially Mr. Panneer Selvam and Ms. Sasikala seemed to be amicable shareholders, albeit hidden rivals, their plotting against one another ought to have been foreseen by various Central Government Organs, and preventive-corrective action ought to have been taken.
ONLY ONE CONSOLATION: AMERICANS VOTERS ARE IMITATING INDIAN VOTERS
By electing Mr. Donald Trump who made billions by dubious means, as their President,the American voters, have given an impression that they are imitating Indian voters. It proves that callousness towards corrupt persons, and handing them over power on a golden platter, is an Incorrigible Universal Phenomenon.
NO NEED TO BLAME TRUMP OR JAYALALITHAA OR SASIKALA
Reason: It is the way in which bourgeoisie democracies function, around the world.
To continue.
