Looking at the pre-poll goings
on, both in the US and India, I feel that not only the
politicians and political parties in the two countries are on
trial but more so the media and the masses. The media has to
face the trial on its very character reason of existence. Will
the Fourth Estate act as the guardian of the people in the
polluted poll campaign environment or serve as a non-free
press subservient to the pressure of power, money and
establishments? Even President Bush with his much touted Wars
and Mars success, is not escaping crucial scrutiny and
accountability for what he has done and not done for the
masses of the US. In India too, it is testing time for the
media and the masses.
I am glad that some of the
electronic channels have realised their duty and have begun to
ask sharp questions to politicians and parties about their
activities. I think the time has come for the handful of men
and women in power to realise that what they stand for India.
Those who do not care for the people and their prosperity must
be taught the lesson they need. Will you do it, dear
colleagues in the media and masses? Present people’s problems
and agonies and not become oracles of predictions and coloured
pre-poll surveys. These are bad habits. For God’s sake give
them up. I will wait patiently with hope in your strength and
wisdom.
A
Republic is always the rule of the public that is the people.
And two of the foremost Republics of the world — the United
States of America and India, are on the path of electoral
trial. As I see it the primaries for the presidential poll in
the US as well as the Lok Sabha poll 2004, will not put the
politicians and the political systems on a crucial trial
because the future of the democratic systems the world over
will be affected by the US and the Indian poll.