More and more politicians, flaunting their picaresque behaviour are sewing seeds of hatred amidst the common man. Their doctrinaire and God almighty attitudes have made people despise and curse their tribe. They have become the people’s ‘bete noire’. It is infuriating that our brand of democracy has been reduced to simply making hollow noises about people’s freedom and their rights. Democracy is being crushed and replaced by a new wave of junta style operation, stifling the spirit and breaking the backbone of the ordinary people. The cry of the common man has become a feeble whimper in the wilderness. We find ourselves unable to fight against injustice, corruption and discrimination, because we have willingly or otherwise aided and abetted tyrannical political rule.

People have come to abhor the presence of politicians and their pigheaded security personnel, be it on the highway or in any other public place. They make their presence felt like an enraged bull in a china shop! If a politician is resident close to where you live, I don’t have to describe the inconvenience and constant anxiety one has to live with. Whether it is children or adults, everyone has to make way, make room, make sacrifices and stomach their pride and pain of mind, if they desire not to shatter the little calm they enjoy in their simple lives.

Not so long ago, my brother-in-law, who is a very senior government servant made reservations at a holiday bungalow for his kith and kin. Almost a day prior to departure, he was told that a politician had decided to occupy the bungalow and that nothing could be done. Dejected and disgusted, he had to accept the situation as inevitable. I am sure others have had the rug pulled out from under at various times because of crass political clout. Reading the latest newspapers, the tyrannous tentacles of politicians seem to have invaded even the solitude of a botanical garden! What next?

It is sheer misfortune that school children too have to listen to the politicians’ gibberish script and view in real-life colour, the swashbuckling action inside their own hallowed theatre!

I wonder whether any one of the politicians was ashamed of themselves or concerned about the impression they had created on the adults of the future? Many of the cable TV operators the world over, exhibit a warning before commencement of an adult film: "The following film contains scenes of a violent nature and language that may not be appropriate for children, viewer discretion is advised"

I strongly recommend that such a notice be posted in the public galleries of the parliament for the benefit of our little visitors. Since many parliamentarians have no control of themselves and the Speaker, appears unable to control his members, an alternative measures should be adopted, so that at least the future generation will not fall into the habit of loving to hate their politicians....
Amarnath Paul
Dubai, UAE