Death of Democracy

by TARUN PATNAIK

The atrocities of the Delhi Police on Baba Ramdev’s supporters in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on June midnight must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Power has been abused. Force has been used to suppress the innocent public who were but inspired by the feeling of patriotism and compassion for compatriots. They were raising their voice against corrupt citizens who by their anti-national activities have kept money, earned by looting the government exchequer and by deceiving our countrymen, in foreign banks. Any person with national interest in mind should welcome and support such initiative. The government instead used the power bestowed on it by the people to suppress the voice of the people who merely demanded virtue and righteousness from their elected representatives.

This act is treacherous towards the spirit of our Constitution and is a stigma on the long history of our democracy. This can only be compared with either the British Raj or the period of Emergency after independence. The Prime Minister colluded in an act which has sent four innocent people to the ICU, and they are in critical condition. No democratic govern-ment could think of beating women and children at midnight mercilessly without giving them the chance and opportunity to disperse peace-fully. And how could they have dispersed at midnight, where would have they gone—to which shelter? Are the people ruling our country so insensitive and devilish not to understand the reality of the situation? This is complete abuse of power and the government has broken the trust of the people of India reposed on it in the elections two years ago.

•

THE government has lost all legitimacy to rule and should immediately resign. The people of India no longer have the faith in the intention and character of this government. The Congress politicians are behaving as if they have a monopoly over deciding the state policy, and that they are not answerable to anyone just because they had once won the battle of the ballot. Once elected, they think they can act as per their whims without any concern for public sentiment. Well, they are wrong. The people of India, if organised by the civil society, can dictate terms to the government and rein in the gone-astray politicians, and the government must mend its ways and bend its stance and listen to the voice of the people. That is true democracy and the people of India will organise themselves to show their power of unity and act in accordance with the call of their conscience. Nobody can suppress the soul of India. Time will be witness to this. The government has resorted to a wanton attack on patriotism and all patriots will deliver a befitting answer to this perfidious assault.