| It is sad that we always expect the worst from our
politicians. It is sadder still that they never fail to live up to our expectations. This
week, which saw Laloo Prasad Yadav jousting with the Central Government, was no different.
Often amusing, mostly defiant, Laloo through
the years has enjoyed mocking democracy. The installation of his wife Rabri as a
rubber-stamp chief minister was an act of extraordinary cynicism. Bihar is admittedly
close to bankruptcy, law and order is unmanageable, and the state is in disarray. But
that's not new. Laloo's inability to govern is apparent. Yet here lies the charm of
democracy: if a state is governed inefficiently only the people have the right to throw
out their leaders. They chose them, they can depose them. It does not matter if Atal
Bihari Vajpayee's Central Government likes Laloo or not; he has won the right to govern.
As our cover story notes, the Vajpayee Government's attempt
to depose Laloo reeks as badly of cynicism. The very people responsible for protecting the
Constitution are perverting it through the misuse of Article 356. The Government must ask
itself: If it behaved like Laloo who could throw it out? Only the people. If that is so,
the same standards must apply to everyone else.
This ugliness that personifies Indian politics may well be a
contributory factor to another phenomenon that we chart in this week's issue: the surge of
spirituality among India's youth. Says Senior Editor Madhu Jain who researched the story,
"I noticed that young people were seeking solace in religion and I'm glad our survey
has statistically confirmed that trend." Indeed, it is no coincidence that the survey
that accompanies the story lists insecurity, dissatisfaction with life and falling values
in society as the primary reasons why the youth are embracing religion. Politicians can
take much of the credit for that.
(Aroon Purie) |
