Some issues come to the fore on the eve of elections. Similarly, self-styled leaders emerge out of the woodwork to claim their space in the state’s electoral politics. For the last several decades since Meghalaya was created, certain individuals have shot to political fame by raising emotive issues that border on paranoia. Influx as an issue has not been discussed rationally but is used as a plank to raise the political temperature. Once emotions take over it is easy to mobilize a certain social segment comprising youth who can be provoked to throw petrol bombs and create general unrest. The opposition to railways by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) is not new. The issue came up in the late 1980s. The reason for the opposition is just one – influx. The advantages that the railways will bring to the people of Meghalaya by way of reduced transportation costs for food-grains and other edibles and consumer products have not been taken into consideration. Also the easy mode of communication for the less privileged too has not been given due attention. In fact, there has, as yet, been no public debate on the issue. It has just been hijacked by the KSU. Is this democratic? If we are constantly bothered about enjoying our democratic rights then why is the issue of railways given short shrift by all political parties when it clearly is going to benefit the people of Meghalaya? Why is this issue allowed to be politicized?
And now we have the HNLC – a renegade outfit jumping in to add fuel to the fire. When the railways were first opposed, an investigation revealed that the truck owners’ lobby was actually behind the protest but they used the KSU to foment trouble. The truck owners will be the worst affected if railways enter the state. Road transport is known to be the most expensive mode of transportation of goods. There are hundreds if not thousands of truck owners whose incomes will suffer once the trains come in. So should the people of Meghalaya support the truck owners or should they stand up for their right to cheaper food products and easier and cheaper mode of transport? It is time for people to claim their rights because the elected representatives have abdicated their responsibilities and too easily cave in to pressure from all kinds of vested interests. Passing a resolution against the beef ban is easy as it is a populist move. How about legislators standing up for the rights of citizens against the tyranny of an interest group?