Opinion – The Way Political Parties Appeal To Their Voters Has To Change

Al Arafat Sherfuddeen

July 22nd, 2016 / 6:24 PM

Opinion – The Way Political Parties Appeal To Their Voters Has To Change

The fault lines are getting wider and visible. It is no secret that caste and religion have been part of the campaign strategy of political parties to mobilize voters for long. An optimist would have vouched caste and religion would subside from the political arena every passing day, the pessimist would think otherwise. As it stands, the pessimist remains vindicated. If in doubt, have a look at the U.P. election campaign and the way various political parties have allocated their coveted positions within the party. Not one political party have taken a progressive view on this. This pattern of caste and religion arithmetic is more prominent in U.P. given its significance of the state by the number of Lok Sabha seats and assembly seats (read Rajya Sabha seats).

Democracy is by far the aptest process that ensures representation of all sections of the society into the policy-making realm. Elections alone do not make a Democracy, an independent judiciary, civil society, individual rights, human rights and a host of other institutions and rights contributes to the definition of Democracy. As part of the large wide definition of Democracy, it is also the way political parties appeal to voters, the norm is and should be all political parties should appeal to all sections of the people rather than every political party trying to take a slice of the cake (read section of voters). The former will make the competition between parties a healthy one, it will bring the important issues to the forefront rather than divisive and polarising issues. The latter will continue to reinforce stereotypes, keep the most important issues like environment conservation, climate change, infrastructure out of the public policy debates.

How can it be enforced ?

Unfortunately, there is no straight forward answer and it will be hard to codify behavioural politics. However, people and political parties can come together and sign a binding agreement, keeping nation’s interests above everything and agreeing on common minimum code of conduct for electoral behaviour which can be overseen by the Election Commission and for such a change to happen, the constitution should be amended that empowers the Election commission with such powers so that it could be enforced effectively.

It up to us to stand up

We have too often seen political parties, their statements, actions and consequentially their governance reflecting their vote base, a base built on appeasement or prejudice against caste’s or religion. Good politics can work well for all, it is for the people to stand up, unite and raise their voice against the regressive and divisive politics practiced by various political parties across the political spectrum, else, the downward spiral which our Democracy is heading to could get to a point of irreversibility that will result in multiple fault lines in the society and thereby hampering social unity and economic progress.

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This Independence Day, Let’s Free Our Earth Of Plastic

“Researchers Find 12,000 Pieces Of Microplastic Per Litre Of Arctic Ice”

“80-Kg Polythene Waste Removed From Cow’s Stomach After A Three-Hour Surgery”

“Pacific Garbage Patch Is Now Three Times The Size Of France”

These are a few news headlines from the past couple of months. No matter how much we try to deny it, over the course of time, plastic has become a part and parcel of our lives and it is destroying the environment and also endangering lives of animals.

While we have been made to believe that plastic is an indispensable part of our lives, it is destroying everything around us. According to UN Environment, about one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world. Also, up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. This means that almost half of the plastic created in the world is thrown away after a single-use.

All this plastic now ends up either in landfills or in the ocean. The marine life is heavily endangered because of plastic. Reports of aquatic animals dying of plastic pollution are increasing every day. A study from 2015 found around 44,000 incidences of animals getting entangled in plastic debris since 1960s. Plastic, that disintegrates into smaller pieces, are often eaten by smaller fish, which the ultimately ends up in our stomach. That is carcinogenic for human beings.

It is in this context that Indiabulls Home Loans has decided to do its bit and contribute to a plastic free environment. Setting the tone in its own offices, the company has decided to do away with single-use plastic bags and bottles at work.

As a special Independence Day initiatives, they have come up with a beautiful video #PlasticSeAzaadi. In the video, set against the backdrop of an Independence Day celebration at school children discuss the demerits of plastic use and how it is detrimental to the environment.

As with many important matters in life, it is children who recognize the right path and set the example. If they can, then why it is that adult can’t?

The Logical Indian appreciates Indiabulls Home Loans for such a noble and necessary initiative to make our world a better place. We might not realize now, but the effects of excessive plastic could lead to ultimate destruction of Earth. We are ready to give up plastic, are you?

Opinion – The Way Political Parties Appeal To Their Voters Has To Change

Al Arafat Sherfuddeen

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