448. Advancing the Elections

"Can you tell me which is the strongest weapon to destroy democracy?"

"No. What is it?"

"Democracy!"

"How do you say this?"

"Mahendra became the President of our country, under a system of democracy. He has been destroying democracy, after coming to power."

"How can you say that he has been destroying democracy? Democratic institutions like the People's Parliament, the media etc. have been functioning."

"They have been functioning as per the wishes of Mahendra! In the People's Parliament, opposition members are afraid to speak against the government. If any member does, the very next day, there will be a raid on his house by the tax enforcement authorities. After the raid, the tax authorities will publicly announce that a large amount of cash and several incriminating documents were seized from his house. The member will then stop speaking against the government. Once the 'erring' member 'mends' his ways, there will be no action on the seizures said to have been made by the authorities.

"Coming to the media, we have seen how several newspapers and television channels, that have been critical of he government, changed their ways and began to sing the praise of the President. Only they and the government know why they changed their stand suddenly. Media personalities and editors, who have the courage to express views criticizing the government's actions, are sacked or made to resign.

"If we look at the social media, people who sing the praise of the President get away with their posts maligning the government's critics and making slanderous remarks against them. But cases are slapped on those who are even mildly critical of the government. Some are even arrested and kept in jail for a long time. Additionally, they have to face the abusive tirades from the supporters of the government, liberally spiced with false accusations and unparliamentary language.

"A lot of people feel safe to keep their eyes closed and adopt an 'all is well' attitude. So, the views critical of this government are hardly visible to the public eye. Even the courts do not pull up the government, for its violation of both the letter and spirit of the law. This is the pathetic state of our country!"

"You spoke to me in length, criticizing the government severely. Is this not a sign that democracy is alive?"

"My dear friend! I spoke to you freely, because you are my friend. For heaven's sake, don't tell anyone about my critical views of the government. If you tell someone about what I said and if that person tells someone else and ultimately, the word reaches the ears of a person who has a sycophantic loyalty to this government, he will bring it to the notice of the authorities. I will be flagged an anti-national element and incarcerated. You will then realize the truth of what I said!"

President Mahendra was engaged in a discussion with a few senior executives of his government, who were loyal to him.

"The elections are due only next year. But I am thinking of advancing the elections and holding them immediately. What is the pulse of the people, as felt by you?" he asked the executives.

"Sir, people are very happy under your benign rule. No one has any complaint or grievance. If elections are held now. an overwhelming majority of people will vote for you. There is no doubt about this" said the Head of the Intelligence Bureau.

"In that case, I will have the elections held immediately. We don't know how things will be after a year!" said the President, feeling excited by the prospect of getting reelected.

"How did this happen? I advanced the elections, based on the favourable inputs received from the intelligence bureau. I could have continued in power for one more year. With the election results going against me, my tenure has come to an end, one  year earlier!" lamented Mahendra bitterly. He was talking to the senior leaders of his party, about the outcome of the elections. 

"Driven by fear, people have not been expressing their dissatisfaction with your rule, openly. They have now communicated their anger, through the ballot paper. You silenced all the voices that pointed out the shortcomings and excesses of the government. So, you had no one, who could apprise you of the real situation on the ground. I don't know whether the Head of the Intelligence bureau told you the truth as perceived by him, or told you what you were pleased to hear, out of fear of you! Angered by your autocratic rule, people have not only thrown you out of power, but also decimated our party, by giving us only five seats out of the five hundred seats in the People's Parliament. The new government will file cases against you for your misdeeds and strive to get you punished with imprisonment. You have no sympathy within our party. Therefore, don't expect any support from our party leaders, including me" said a senior leader of Mahendra's party, venting his anger on the fallen dictator.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 448 (in Tamil):

idippArai illAdha EmarA mannan
keduppAr ilAnum kedum.

Meaning:

A King, who is not in the company of critics pointing out his faults, will be ruined, even without anyone trying to destroy him.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mun kUttiyE thErdhal' by the same author.)

Verse 449 (Soon)
Verse 447