Democrats and the Tea cups
Departure of Duronto from Howrah
Initially I was reluctant to go but later on found this
as a unique experience not to be missed. This shop is unlike any other tea shop, more of
a Tea parlor than a so-called tea-shop.
Basu visits here frequently and suggested to take seat
in the two sitter small table just behind the big nine sitter big table. He said
that we can nicely spend our time here by listening to others and by enjoying
the wide variety of tea and snacks.
He assured “Sip your tea and eavesdrop on the
debates from the adjoining tables. I bet, these Chai-pe-Charchas are much more interesting and decent than most
of the TV news-traders shows.”
As soon as our order of a big pot of Darjeeling
The eldest of the three nodded approvingly and ordered
cutting tea and Pakoda.
My friend knew them briefly from his previous sessions
of eavesdropping. He continued, “They are a small group, from various walks of
life, profession, and age. But almost every evening they sit here for tea and
chit chat.”
A waiter was pointing at the nine-sitter table to
three young men and spotting them the elderly man said, “Here comes the ‘Ab ke bar’, ‘Mody’ ,‘Sarkar’ ”
My friend whispered “The extreme left one is Akbar,
but they call him ‘ab ke bar’ ; a
lawyer, the middle one, ‘Mody’ owns
a grocery shop; flanked by a freelance journalist, ‘Sarkar’.”
“We were stranded by the election campaign procession
for the tomorrow’s Maidan rally.”
Sarkar said, “Once I asked about thousand such people
at random. A little over twenty percent
were party-loyals. The rest either came to see Kolkata with free train ride or
were forced to join.”
Mody said, “These strength-showing big meetings deceive
the common people to think that this party has huge supporters.”
The elderly said, “Many times we behave like the herd
of sheep. We see where others are going and follow that. We do not ask even a
single follower why to vote for the candidate or party he is voting for.”
Finishing his tea, Akbar (Aab ki Bar) said, “Tell me,
why these election campaign meetings are necessary? If a Party’s community
development work has benefited people then people know about it.”
Sarkar said “Does
it mean that despite the beneficiary
actions made by the Party or the candidate, so many people were either ignorant
or could not taste the benefits?”
A person by the side of the elderly man said, “Have all of you noticed the minimum
requirements for a person to stand as M.P or MLA? The person should be of
minimum 25 years of age without any criminal background or under trial cases.”
Mody said, “Election Commission never even asks the
candidates to show any proven past or current record of any social works.”
The elderly man said, “Funnily enough, the eligibility
rules do not debar a candidate who is not even in the Voter list of the area.”
Media man Sarkar said, “I have attended many such
election meetings and rallies like the tomorrow’s one in Maidan. Two-third
of their speech remains engaged with criticism of the opposition party or the
candidate from that party, the rest is full of promises in future tense but
nothing about what already they did.”
Elderly man said, “If election commission can debar a
candidate with criminal record, then why not for a candidate without any
experience in public service. How can we entrust such a person to represent us
who is just a famous singer or actor or a dedicated to the Political party but
has no track record of service to public.”
Mody said, “There are MPs or MLAs who do not even attend
the sessions of Parliament or Assembly. They are seldom seen in their
constituency after wining in the election.”
Sarkar Said, “Clearly, these persons have gone to
Parliament not to serve the people but to satisfy their greed for money and
power. EC should ban these candidates from re-contesting. Once this is done
then only a person dedicated to the service of people would go to Parliament
and the entire dirty scenario shall change.”
Elderly man signaled the waiter for one more round of
tea and we overheard from another table “The wheel is now rolling. The heat of
corruption is too much on common public and they wont tolerate this anymore.”
A baritone
voice said, “The cleaning action by broom has just started. May be at present,
persons leading such movements are green in politics and tact.”
His friend sipping tea at
the opposite table said, “ This Jharu movement is a bright child with teething
troubles. Moment the teeth come out properly then all these corrupt people are
bound to bear the deep biting scars. Janta maaf nahi karegi inko.”
With hurried
steps we were about to reach Platform Nine of Howrah
Unlike yesteryear s, more and more people are determined to cast their vote and nobody
can glare their eyes with false promises. Democracy is now close to “by the
people, for the people and of the people.”
