Ugly behind us, look forward now

IP Anand

The election process has come to a close. Campaigning comes as naturally to elections as colours to Holi and decorations to Diwali. The election scene would have been monotonous and monochromatic sans creative banters and digs coming from politicians. But it became distasteful when the skills of creativity and art of oration went astray, breaking the bounds of decorum and decency.

Rhetoric of political rivals left one and all stupefied. The ‘chowkidar’ rant; calling an actor-turned-politician ‘naachne-gaane wali’ and ‘Anarkali’ or reference to a respectable woman as a ‘skirt-wali bai’ or a derogatory remark on a woman’s bindi were not only obnoxious, but also violative of the code of conduct.

Innumerable were the queer quotes, the contents and the platform prohibit one from going into the details. Not to name any person or party in particular, politicians of all hues and identities, ideologies and doctrines contributed to this malacious campaigning. 

The Election Commission of India did come into action after it was pulled up by the apex court, but cut little ice. As posited by Plato, good people don’t need laws to tell them to act responsibly, and bad people will find a way around.

In this regard, it is worth recalling that when Dr Ram Manohar Lohia contested the 1962 election from the Phulpur (UP) constituency against the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, he wrote a letter to Nehru: ‘In these elections your victory is certain. But if certainty turns into uncertainty and ultimately your defeat, I would be extremely happy and it would also be beneficial for the country. Then you would get the opportunity to improve yourself and become a better person. In the end I pray for your long life so that I may get the opportunity to reform you.’

Graciously, Nehru replied: ‘I am happy that a sober person like you is opposing me... I think in this election, the discussion would be centred on the political programmes. Be cautious and ensure that the personal discussion should be curtailed. On my part, I promise that I would not visit my constituency even for a single day.’ 

I wish our leaders emulate this level of exchange, and focus on issues and concerns pertaining to public interest. 

Let our politicians look forward and learn from past mistakes. There is no permanent friend or foe in politics. It is in the fitness of things to go by Urdu poet Bashir Badr’s wise suggestion: Dushmani jamkar karo, lekin ye gunjaish rahe/ Jab kabhi hum dost ho jaaen to sharminda na hon (Be rivals but do leave the scope that if ever we become friends, we should not be ashamed of ourselves).