back to summer of sixties...

When the world moves forward (or so it seems) India has firmly taken some backward steps. Few weeks back this blogger was quite satisfied with parliamentary election results but as things are dawning on me I realize maybe this seems like nightmare unfolding. I am not against children/relatives of influential people contesting elections since they have to win the vote of people was my argument and it is a fair thought. But when you see most MP’s are relatives and friends from certain section of society then it is not a coincidence, there is something abnormal here, it is the worst situation in recent times. That is natural when national political parties influence increases it is back to sixties. This could be congress, BJP or communists. National parties are mostly about some very entrenched people, the elite section, adept in the art of symbolism. Regional parties may not be doing well on these matter but atleast they are regional and so will have to take care the regional aspirations. It is the degree of representativeness. Further this blogger is very strongly for SC (dalits) and tribes being represented by their own groups, since when they are part of national party they are reduced to just members (or numbers), the immediacy of the problem they represent gets blurred.

For market these don’t matter (rightly so) since they are concerned about their narrow end, clearly a “stable” government is good for sensitive investors. This blogger though doesn’t see everything in terms of economics. From social point of view, from the view of representativeness this is the worst parliament in the last few decades (it is a painful realization. There are 20odd MPs who have passed out from St Stephen, delhi!. Surely we are back to 1960s). Frankly this blogger saw it coming, when they were making hullabaloo about change, youth and so on it was obvious that they were clearing ground for their selfish end. My concern was also aroused by market media’s ecstasy (very ominous that one). Most MP’s are related to or have influence to some very powerful people and so will surely be sharing market defined understandings as they have enjoyed all comforts and luxury, naturally they do look good and speak nuanced language. Market has found some easy friends. This is a dangerous situation, it is bad for Indian democracy.

So why have people chosen these MPs?. Simply because they want to have a secure life, a peaceful and prosperous life, the chaos of last many years and recent happenings have frightened them (bomb blasts, riots, accidents… do frighten me a lot it puts my life and livelihood in serious risk). We like to go back to familiar when confused or insecure, also poorer and marginalized sections see traditional elite as saviors. It is not surprising that most MPs are product of this feudalist system. There is also an element of fatalism, which was always capitalized by the elite. It needs to be pointed out that the factors that are kept in mind while distributing tickets by political parties are never egalitarian. Also those who have influence and clout do get their way, and so with insecurities of common people they end representing them.

It is in this context Women’s Reservation Bill also needs to be seen. This blogger has expressed his serious concern few years back. The Bill in the present form shouldn’t be even presented in the parliament. That will be audacious and an insult since it has been viciously opposed (rightly so) in the past. Women can represent women is something this blogger doesn’t agree. Since all women do not come from the same context. Looking at the present parliament it is an easy conclusion that this reservation will be usurped by influential section (caste connotation is not a coincidence), the reservation bill in the present form is undemocratic and grievously flawed. (The history of women black movement in America had this problem of white women failing to recognize the unique problems of black and marginalized women. They manipulated themselves as victims of gender discriminations placing themselves similar to black women. The realities were quite divergent. In the process black women and their problem was reduced to tokenism)

This blogger will like to see women from SC and ST adequately represented but all other seats under reservation should be for women of proven credentials, like in panchayats and municipalities. There are lots of manipulators who are trying to play victim all the time, reality though is they have nothing to do with the hardship and bias that majority of women in this society face. To make the matter worse many of these women in the leadership positions in parties (or otherwise) have blocked deserving women (including Brinda Karat…frankly I have nothing against I do admire but when it is time for spade is spade I wonder how she is in such influential position while many women who were quite active right from college days and ideologically driven in their dealings not in the position she is in…is that not elitism/influence?. And yes if comrades could explain who worked against Susheela Gopalan from becoming CM of kerala? -i admired Susheela Gopalan a lot, and seen her many times. Shame on communists for denying her. Its a shame. Ms Karat might have some nasty things to say about Sharad Yadav but the reality is most people including this blogger don’t think he is talking crap). It is not a surprise that all national political party from congress to BJP to Communists are united on this…that is because they know they can gain from this. They have strong elements of elitism in their structure women’s reservation is going to further it, consolidate their position.

Unlike market media this blogger doesn’t have selective understanding of things. I am always for reservations (only when affirmative actions have started to show affect then reservation can be stopped) since I understand the society we live in is blatantly feudal and biased, filial and monetary influence is an important element in dealings. Whether it is reservation in higher education/jobs or for women in the parliament it should be for deserving (the OBC reservation are being misused). It should be carefully thought out otherwise it is biased against people, a mockery on them, the repercussion will be strong. The market is ecstatic about women’s reservation is understandable since it is about people like us (the reason why manipulative turd also drops in. Her market handlers do prop her. Brand positioning I guess).

Parliament is the highest law making body in the country, any changes that are introduced need be thought out carefully. Women in panchayats have done a tremendous job, they are reality of this nation. Whatever shortcomings they have is the shortcomings of the society we live in. We need to grow with them and not they should be guided by us. That smacks of arrogance. The understanding they carry may not suite the market but is an important input to gender sensitive policy making. Gender here is not about going or not going to pub, the market created victimhood for easy consumption of couch potatoes. It is a whole understanding on life, living and sustainability that women who are close to nature for their survival have an instinctive understanding. It is an understanding of what will help the future generations, a practical and urgent action on the need to protect environment, trees, water resources so on. These local issues when neglected add on to what is referred to as global warming.

Clearly there is a critical need for polices on matters of sustainability. I always wondered how Pepsi-coca cola cost so cheap wherein millions of people dont have access to potable water?. Why are villages in the vicinity of these water guzzling plants always poor and deprived?. Why children don’t get nutrition or PDS not effective (food and distribution policy). Why children family doesn’t get immediate and urgent basic medicines or PHCs not equipped (health policy). Why price of food keep rising (economic policy). Why water get depleted for MNC, trees cut and fertile land given for industry (environment/industry policy). Why children drop out of school, why they don’t get basic facilities in school (education policy), so on and on. The reasons why women's reservation bill has to be passed at the earliest.