Elected Representatives verses Telangana Bill

Indian political leaders, especially those who want to enter into decision-making body, prominently Lok Sabha must understand their entry into politics, at least at the time of Lok Sabha session. Elected representatives of the people must argue about the people’s concerns with his fellow representatives and must try to get the best way to carry out voters’ chosen ends. Else, they have to try to get best use of the discussions through democratic deliberative sense. They have to give their best for the justice of people, if people really demands justifiable things. Such an act should follow ethical norms. In doing justice, there is room for debate in democratic set ups. Democracy is a form of rule. Decisions of majority are binding on each one, including the minorities who should have equal rights.

Democratic government adopts policies that are signaled as preferred by the citizens. Some of these are basic issues which should be in the hands of the elected representatives. Democracy with different forms of governments has been trying to flourish through ages with the rigorous scholastic or intellectual understandings since about fourth century BC, especially from beginning of Aristotle’s period. From Aristotle (320 BC) to Winston Churchill (1874-1965), every one have expressed that democracy is the least bad form of government. It means it has great chances of doing good things to people. Idea of democracy is pragmatically proven as good form of social organization through ages in different forms.

When we look at democracy practices in the context of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill 2013, elected representatives belong to Seemandhra, one of the part of present state of Andhra Pradesh, should have done discussions in the parliament with their best possible solutions. They can’t find any hurdles to do the same. They should have practiced best debates on people’s desires. They should have put forward the people’s concerns in a democratic way. It would have been justifiable and acceptable. At the same time, why did they forget about the desires of other part of the state – Telangana? Nevertheless, why do they (Seemandhra elected representatives) neglecting about the desires and whishes of 3.52cr people of Telangana? A separate Telangana statehood is the dream of Telangana people. Why such offensive acts have been chosen by them? If they want strong political base in their region, this was not the way to politicize their political career. Series of incidences beginning from the Cabinet’s decision over the statehood till today are not at considered level in larger democratic frameworks. Why such dominant occurrences listed? In every aspect of their protest against Telangana, there has been dominancy. Leadership has to maintain democracy’s dignity and they have to make people respect the system. The day Telangana bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha turns to be a blot on Indian democracy. People’s representatives must feel culpable on their acts. If they still think that their act is genuine and rational, in my opinion, the process of functioning of democracy must be rationalized.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organisation.