We don't deserve good leaders
The great thing about a democracy is that you get what you vote for. There is no confusion, no way around it, no way to say that this person should not be our leader. You get what you deserve. In India's case this applies as well. We get what we deserve. And with only 41.28% of Mumbai's voters coming out to vote on April 30th, we are going to get what we deserve again.
41.28%? Is that even a number? I was out of town this weekend (I left after voting) when a friend messaged me the turnout. I was disgusted. This is the same city that fed the country bull sh** about how we need change, how it is time for citizens to come out and take a stand, make a difference, be the change...What a crock of nonsense that was from the citizens of Mumbai. You know what the change was? 41.28% voted on April 30th which is less than the 47.15% that voted in 2004.
I am from South Mumbai, born and raised, and I have to say, we Mumbaikars are pathetic. You remember the candle light vigils post 26/11, the million groups formed on Facebook, the endless debates on television on how terrible our politicians are. What was all that for? Just to be fashionable and show everyone how patriotic you are?
How much ever we may call out politicians, the government, bureaucrats etc. on the crap they feed us everyday, we are no better. In fact, we are worse because we sit there and bitch about the system, but when the time comes to do something about it, we don't show up to the game.
This number is only indicative of the number of registered voters. The amount of eligible voters who were not even registered is not even known. The true turnout number is probably lower than 40%. And for all you lazy citizens out there who did not bother to register, please don't comment with some rubbish about how hard it is to register and why can't the government make it easy blah blah blah. SHUT UP. I admit the system could be better but there were 1.59 crore people registered to vote in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Palghar, if they could register, so could you. In addition there were so many campaigns like Jaago Re that provided you with all the information you need. YOU WERE JUST LAZY AND YOU KNOW IT.
I read in one of the papers that this low turnout is being justified because of bad scheduling? There was a long weekend and so Mumbaikars had to travel. (PRG sarcasm alert for all those who plan to finish the rest of this post) I guess that justification makes sense. I mean, how dare the government schedule elections around a long weekend for Mumbai's elite? It is the start of the summer and I can't believe the election commission did not check with the citizens of Mumbai whether this would interfere with their holiday plans. The least they could have done is talk to a few travel agencies in Mumbai before they went ahead to schedule elections that will elect the government of India.
That excuse is almost as bad as the turnout. I know a lot of people who travelled for the long weekend, but they made sure that they voted early on Thursday and then left. Ironically, most of the people that use travel as an excuse are ones that had friends or family in the Taj and Oberoi on 26/11. These same people also organized citizens forums and talked about "change" at parties.. They were also very vocal in the press and on TV post the attacks. But god forbid you ask them to fly on Thursday morning instead of Wednesday evening and miss 12 hours of their holiday to vote, that my friends is unacceptable.
I feel bad for the citizens that actually did register and who wanted to vote but due to errors in the system their names were not in the rolls. I know of a few people that fought hard all day to try and get an opportunity to go and vote. I also commend the Bollywood actors like SRK and Aamir Khan who publicized their return to India to vote. Whether it was a PR stunt to showcase how patriotic they are or whether they truly care, I don't know, and frankly don't care. All I know is that if they managed to convince some of their Bollywood obsessed fans to go out and vote because of their idols' actions, then the PR was worth it.
As always we will get what we deserve. What scares me the most though is that if the attacks of 26/11 could not stir a dramatic increase in the number of voters I wonder what it will take for this city to wake up.
At the outset let me clarify that this is in no way to defend the people who did not vote or register.
ReplyDeleteLet us assume for a moment that over 60% voted. My question is would that make a difference between electing a good leader and bad leader. My point is most candidates all over India do not qualify as leader's people want. The Indian voting people are far from intelligent or else why would they bring back old out-dated leaders time and time again. It is the Parties and the onus is on them to select candidates which one can trust our future with. In that case even a low percentage would elect the right government.
Nevertheless, there is no excuse of people not to register or to exercise their vote. I am truly stunned and shocked at the low turn out and am not really able to understand the reason for it
SRK publicized his vote because he could not say he really had to dump KKR for an item number at a wedding.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the numbers are tragic. How does this even motivate the next Meera Sanyal? I mean if I am an independent and wanted change, what a shitty constituency to run in. The people just dont care...
ReplyDeleteWhy should anyone vote for the clowns that were running in Mumbai? I was registered but did not vote because everyone that ran is terrible...
ReplyDelete@Rajji: You probably wouldn't have a better leader immediately but if our leaders knew that people were bothering to go out and vote I believe they would alter their behaviour somewhat. An extreme example. If we had a population of 100 people in a country. If only five people voted you would have to fill the wants of those 5 to come into and then stay in power. On the other hand if 40 people voted there are now 40 people to satisfy. I'm sure those 40 will come from different demographics as opposed to the 5. Percentages do matter because they translate into numbers. Basically, VOTE = VOICE. People who didn't vote have just condoned the actions of our politicians. Shame on them!
ReplyDeleteI think the chicken posting comments about clowns in government should atleast have the nerve to identify him/herself! Or are you too scared that your ridiculous comments might just underline your intelligence.
ReplyDeleteWhat difference Sid Arya? I could write my name as Manmohan Singh or Sonia Gandhi. I don't even know if Sid Arya is your real name. The point is that I am tired of voting for people that do not end up doing anything. If I voted for Milind I would hate myself because the man has done nothing. If I voted for Rawale I would hate myself because of the party he comes represents. If I voted for Meera Sanyal or Mona Shah I would hate myself because my vote would not count for anything. So then Why vote? Give me a reason instead of worrying about what my name is...
ReplyDeleteDude whoever this "I'll hate myself if I do anything" guy is...I don't want to know your name. Remain anonymous. Because by not casting a vote for SOMEBODY...you will have done just that..remained nobody...do you not get it? Wait...OBVIOUSLY NOT...If you don't appreciate democracy go to China...you'll be better off over there...but please...don't hate yourself for having done nothing because then you're all outta BS...
ReplyDeleteif you think everyone that was running is terrible why the hell did you not choose to run yourself? its easy to sit in your comfy chair and complain and bitch about everything... the least you can do is exercise the right given to you by this democracy. and can you please explain what you mean when you say there is no point voting for meera or mona because "your vote would not count for anything "
ReplyDeletei think you are just making sorry excuses for not getting off your lazy ass and voting. dont expect the government to do anything for you if you cant do something this simple once in 5 years.
When my fellow educated elite with kapda, makan, paani and gaadi - the ones with no excuses - showcase extreme apathy in the face of 26/11 and death at their own doorsteps - you have to look reality in between the eyes and afcourse look at ourselves in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteWe will continue to be a country run on archaic issues like caste, creed and religion for a long time to come. We will be a country where growth and change are random and ideals are dispensable to the highest bidder. We are a people extremely selfish who are motivated only by money and getting ahead at the cost of everyone but our immediate circle aka city, country etc. We are experts at lip service and proudly thumping our chest at foreigners about our heritage, will sue Akshay kumar because his wife unbuttons his pants but insist on item nos. in every movie if we are going to pay Rs. 220 for a ticket. The list of hypocricy is long, my point is it started before the election and we were fools to think that 26/11, candles + having "new" options to vote for like the indepedants would = change.
Lets never beat on everyone's fav flogging candidate - America, the West whatever. We have our own demons.
As on April 30th it has become clear to me that India is a sinking ship (ideologically, morally but not economically) - accept that and live with it, turn the other way or jump ship.
And Anonymous -seriously- you are on a blog which means you can read, write, and log on, you are an adult i.e. the umbical cord has been cut. Grow up and take responsibility for your actions (not standing for elections because everyone else was so shit) and non actions (not voting, leaving India etc). You had 2 choices dude - most people in the world don't even get 1. Remember North Korea, Saddam's Iraq, most of Africa...the list is long. Appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteAll your comments are fine and I agree voting is important. But what does someone do when you are not sure who to vote for because all of the candidates are pathetic? What is even the point of voting for any of the people that were running. I am all for voting, but I need a better reason that you must vote because exercising your right to vote is a duty. And more of a reason than Alisha's reason of North Korea and Saddam's Iraq.
ReplyDeleteI think the comment posted by the Anonymous poster which was directed to Raj Ji's comment is the best answer to your question. Politicians will only improve if they feel they need to improve. If a politician thinks that only 41% of the population is going to vote and they know the demographics of that 41%. they will only focus on that portion of society. If you don't vote, they don't really have to worry about what YOU think, whether YOU are happy or whether YOU are safe and taken care off. Because to them, you don't make any difference. But the minute you exercise your vote, they will want it. And so by default will have to work and earn your vote.
ReplyDeleteBy deciding not to vote, you pretty much sent out a message to your MP that he/she can do what they want because you are not going to hold them accountable by threatening to elect someone else. A lot of politicians (not all) only get things done to ensure re-election. Make sure that you as an individual make them feel that if they don't work, they wont get votes. Only then they will respond. And the only way to do that my friend is by CASTING YOUR VOTE.
So when we have state elections in Maharashtra later this year I urge you to please vote.
PRG has summed it up perfectly. Irrespective of how crap the candidate is if more than 40% of south bombay come out and vote for even teh best of the worst - it sends a strong signal to the center to take that demographic seriously. It is the 1st step to change.
ReplyDeleteAnd this time Anonymous you had some options in the independants - besides no option will be perfectly tailor made for you and for every single other person...you are expecting perfection.
Anyway there is the State election as PRG has rightly said and you and everyone else that didn't go out and vote have some time to rethink.
Apparently there are second chances in democracy.
Alisha- The options in the independents were average to say the least.
ReplyDeleteBut Anyway- Fair point PRG. I never looked at it that way. May be I should have voted and not let my vote go un exercised. Will keep that in mind in the future... Great Blog btw....