Vox Populi Vox Dei

The title translates to - 'Voice of People is Voice of God'. Supposedly the working motto of any democratic institution. Just like how the pigs did in "Animal Farm", an extra word got conveniently added to the quote and it soon became 'Voice of Select People is Voice of God'. This is what is happening in Indian democracy also. While the fact that millions of people are dying in hunger is a mere statistic and tonnes of food grains are rotting in government godowns is 4th page left corner one paragraph news, "hunger strike" by super special people hogs the media limelight these days. The irony of the fact could not be more hurting. When Gandhiji went on strike in post independent India, Nehruji wryly commented on the cost of keeping one man hungry as millions thronged the pandal where Gandhiji was fasting. The crowd which came in were united in their zeal and were staunch believers of the principles of the Mahathma. Those faceless millions didnt pose for any photographs nor were the intention to garner any publicity. By generalising the selfless act of the erstwhile generation, i am not demeaning the honest few, who actually believe that they can weed out corruption, by joining hands with these attention seekers. But it irritates the hell out of me to see people waving hands and smiling at cameras while sitting on the dais, totally oblivious to the seriousness of the reason why the event is happening in first place and shamelessly garnering free publicity. It brings me back to the title of the topic and its current relevance in the changed environment. We as a mob, always always needed a messiah to deliver us from our sufferings. We as a mob are irresponsible idiots to surrender the power to rule us without bothering to validate the profile of the nominee. We as a mob are downright foolish to deify those who have been elected to SERVE us and treat them as demi gods. Do we really deserve to have our opinions voiced is a question which begs an answer.