The AAP phenomena

Why shouldn't we celebrate for getting our power tariff reduced by half and why shouldn't we rejoice for getting water for free? So what if these are being implemented using the taxpayers money. After all isn't that one of the reasons for which the rich are generally taxed? And if it was not meant for that then it was also not for getting this money syphoned out through scams by the scamsters year after year for 65 years altogether? Even if this is a 'loot', shouldn't this be encouraged as the benefit this way, at least, is being handed over to a large number of needy people and it is anyway much better than giving scope to just a few select who were/are looting the taxpayers money entirely for individual gains. After witnessing the uncontrolled and rampant corruption of an unimaginable scale shouldn't it be easy for us to find some logic and an acceptable level of sense in these arguments and anti-reasons? If they can loot why can't we? This is exactly the feeling that is exploding in a congenial atmosphere using the AAP's activism that has caught the imagination of the angry 'young' Aam Admi of India. It comes with no surprise for me that AAP's think tank is finding some kind of resonance with the naxal-activism-cum-terrorism too.

But who is a Aam Admi? Is he rich or he is only poor? AAP seems to have redefined this term. According to AAP, aam admi is the person who needs to pay to get things done in India. It is indeed hopelessly true as Khas Admi, more often than not, do not need to pay anything for which we are asked to pay a bribe. Unfortunately on the other hand, in India the disease of 'corruption' is mutated to such an extent that even those have started feeling its pinch who are used to paying bribe for getting things done in their favour. Here, I am reminded of what Kejriwal said in his historical speech in Ramlila maidan where he took oath for CM. He asked everyone not to pay or take bribe and urged everybody to set the corrupts right by putting them behind bars as 'he would get their work done for free'. Now this bothers me. I want my son to get admission in a school and the school wants money. I can become instrumental in booking the person who asked money for this but for Arvind's sake can anybody help me in understanding as to how would Arvind get my ward admitted. I want a birth certificate for my son to make him a year younger as he is otherwise ineligible for admissions in the nursery classes. I am asked to pay a bribe for getting this done. Now if I help Arvind in grabbing him how the hell Arvind is going to supply that fake certificate for me. I have occupied a government land and have built a house on that. An MCD or a Police personal comes knocking my door saying that if I don't pay him he would demolish my house. Now if I help Arvind in catching this person red handed how will he help me in owning the government land. I need to get a driver's license but I am not an expert driver. A tout contacts me to help me out in return of some money. Now if I get him nabbed who would ensure that I would pass the written test for the driver's license. The list is unending. Even for a regular and legally correct work in a government office that takes a month's time normally how would Arvind ensure that I get it done early if I choose to book the person who was offering me an early service in return to some cash.

The rich have spoilt themselves by getting anything done with the power of money but the Aam Admi among them now aspire to become a Khas Aadmi and hope to retain the same privileges but without having to pay any money for the same. On the other hand, the poor have developed a burning desire to grab these privileges without paying any money. These aspiration-fantasy has been further aroused by AAP's attitude. Now, Kejriwal needs to handle this efficiently. But it seems that he is in a habit of arousing public anger without knowing how to handle/utilize it in a positive manner. He seems to be a master of creating chaos. This was evident at his Janta Darbar and his oath taking ceremony. He is least bothered about those who have a responsibility to secure a CM's life. He is least bothered about creating a space at his residence for his interactions with the public. He is least bothered about the source of finances and is focusing only on how to spend it. He has no plan and vision for development but is overflowing with unimplementable ideas. His idea of holding a Janta Darbar, of throwing open the corridors of assembly for public and terrorists alike and of expecting his ministers to deliver without utilizing a government vehicle and residence are all failing in practical tests. He must find the missing link between a political activist and a political post holder to deliver at this stage.

The complete scenario reminds me of an incident wherein it was reported that an eve-teaser was lynched to death by a mob. If you are fresh with an incident where an eve-teaser had thrown a victim out of a running train then you would also be able to justify mob-lynching to death. AAP movement resembles mob lynching. It does give a kind of satisfaction temporarily. But what do you achieve in this process? Did the lynching ensure them an eve-teaser free society? No....sorry – it made everyone in the mob a criminal. But when you feel agitated to the hilt you enjoy the act of lynching and this explains the explosion of AAP's sphere of influence but who is to be blamed for this ---- undoubtedly the traditional parties who are yet to learn from their over-aggressive anti-poor and unresponsive policies. Arvind has never shown any ability to provide a good administration in his life despite many opportunities that he had and I am sure, Arvind will again expose himself hollow as a bad administrator but his job will be over if he can force others to learn a lesson or two from the phenomena that he has successfully showcased till now.