Shoe Induced Silence

This election, we Indians have vicariously expressed our ire with the political class through our shoe-throwing/chappal-throwing heroes. Yes, it is condemnable and uncivilised. But you cannot deny it gave you a high when you saw the politicians-cutting across party lines- ducking for cover from the common man's weapons!
Their(the poilticians) reactions have been predictable, pardoning the "offenders" and not registering cases against them. And some of them even "understood" why a shoe was hurled at them. This calculated reaction could possibly fetch a few more votes but I see a larger message in this.
However noble and benevolent their reaction might have been, they have at last accepted the gory truth about themselves- that they have no shame or integrity whatsoever. I mean, though they still maintain that they are not in the least bit corrupt, their relative silence over the "shoegate" incidents has actually given them away. Through their non-action, they agree that they deserve to be treated like this. And that to me is victory to the citizens.
Utopian it maybe, but I would want my leaders if they are so saintly as they claim to let the law take its course against the brave offenders. I wouln't want my leader to let go off a wrongdoer if he is actually so self-righteous as he claims to be. A wrong is a wrong and in a society based on concept of rule of law, no one else should have a say. Our politicians are sending a wrong signal to many in this country. Yes, it is upto the offended to register a case, but being in a position to influence, a politician should stick to the law and set an example. Yes, the shoe throwers are my heroes but all said and done they committed an offence under the constitution and should be punished. So, tomorrow, an SC or an ST might be a victim of a similar attack from a close associate but might not bother to register a case whcih is just hampering the image and progress of his community. My idea may seem farfetched but come to think about it, action should have been taken.

why manifestos?

This could be a trivial matter that i am taking up in this election when we have much more important issues to discuss, but that's the fun in being a (um)"writer" whose opinion no one reads!
Election manifestos brought out by political parties are a book of promises by the parties contesting the elections. They are also things which are read by no one at all, which makes me wonder if the same manifestos with a few improvisations are released before every election. (Observation that has no relation to this post: Is it just the lack of funds that the Third Front has no manifesto or is it their way of saying what everyone knows, they have no vision hence no promises to make, they just want power to make Delhi more corrupt than it already is.)
During all the election frenzy, one thing struck me, why do we need election manifestos in the first place? They are futile not only because they are a criminal waste of paper and ink but also because we have a set of well-meaning provisions in our Constitution called Direcive Principles. Now, my point is why don't political parties promise to implement Directive Principles rather than promising rice at Rs.3? The DPs(Directive Principles)are a fair means to achieve the end- self suffiency of the people(of which accessibilty to food is basic). For instance art. 39(a) reads the state shall direct its policy towards securing adequate means of livelihood to citizens, if this is promised to be implemented, we not only have the problem of rice accessible to all but it would also take care of other basic needs.
The election manisfestos should simply be about implementing DPs, because only their implementation would bring about true democracy. We can't rubbish them of as outdated when most of our population is langushing in poverty. And certainly, poverty aleviation is more important than say, free television sets! I rest my case.

musical campaigns

If you happen to be at least a half-responsible(you would be complete when u vote) citizen you would know that come this saturday and you as a citizen of India are empowered by the law of the land to vote! And if you happen to be a responsible radio listener and keep track of the latest tracks through one of the most conventional means of mass communication you would know that the most popular soundtrack these days goes something like: dheen dheen dheen dherena congress ko chun na congress hi chun na! Now, before you start reminiscing the good old days when songs were much more meaningful, it would help to know that this is the Congress' election song! The lead voice sounds like she's been picked straight out of the dusty old studios of AIR which is probably true. Another plausible explanation is that the Congress used the same song way back in the 50's for it's campaigns(considering the quality)but the song obviously didn't hold ground when compared with Nehru's campaigns back then!
The BJP ha gone a step backward and has modified lyrics of popular bollywood songs to suit itself. The winner being "nagara nagara"(jab we met) changed to "kabara kabara cong ne dilli ka kabara kiya!" Now, is this the best a party that boasts off Vajpayee could do? Certainly if not the frail old man(who probably has no idea about these "songs") his assistants could have helped if asked and could have done a much better job!
But whatever, like always our politicians have managed to give us an entertaining time during campaign time! No complaints! Now only if they could get the common man singing when they come to power. Maybe change is here too :). I am optimistic beyond belief, I know.