By HH Mohrmen
It started with a soul searching weekly column by the Editor of the Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim which asked if there is any honest politician in the state now? Then another columnist Albert Thyrniang taking leave from the editor’s article, raised the bar higher and asked if the church has failed in its sacred duty to produce an honest and upright member of the society? The other question raised is of what use is the church if what we have is a society which is corrupt? Has the church failed in its moral duty to bring change to society? What followed the two articles were series of letters to the editors which echoed the same concerns.
Corruption in the system started from the very beginning of the democratic process and that is during the elections. For the party to allot a ticket to a candidate, the main factor that is considered is his or her ‘winnability’ or chance of winning the elections. What does winnability mean? What are the parameters used to consider if the candidate has the chance to win the election or not? The primary factor that the party would consider is, if the candidate can muster enough money power to contest the election. In other words a big bank balance! Other factors like the candidate’s leadership skills, educational qualifications, experiences in public service, his/her vision and dedication is of no importance as money is considered to be the main criteria for winning the election.
So why is money considered important? During elections, apart from having to spend money on organising campaigns and hiring buses to ferry supporters from one meeting to another, it is also used for feeding the supporters. Money is used to organise rallies but, sadly, much of the money exchanges hands just two or three days before the elections, in exchange for votes. In Meghala as elsewhere different organisations also expect favours from the candidates during elections; not personal favours of course but it is always on behalf of educational institutions, sports or cultural clubs, the dorbar shnong, the seng kur, or the project or activities that the society, or even church runs.
The question that begs the answer is how can one expect politicians to be honest when the churches too are expecting them to consider them favourably? In the world where not only humans but even organisations and institutions have their own axes to grind, it is almost impossible to expect politicians to be honest. There are many instances when even faith groups are reaching out to the politicians during or prior to the elections. For example, they seek financial support for the school, hospitals, orphanages etc., that the organisations run. There is no harm is seeking support from any political entity but the problem is the timing in which the favour was sought. It is of course a major concern if it happens before or during the elections and it is even more serious if it is projected as if the politician is doing a favour for the faith group because he had donated or supported their causes.
How else would one expect the politicians to be honest when churches which plan to build multi crore church buildings are expecting the politicians to contribute to the project? The question is – Can public money be used in building churches, temples and mosques in a secular country like India?
The church is one very influential institution in the society but the pertinent question is whether we can blame the church only? What about other faith organisations because society comprises of members from other faith groups too. In the context of the Khasi Pnar society, the question of honesty in both public and personal life is enshrined in the traditions on which the society is built. The Khasi Pnar’s way of life is expected to be governed by the three important cardinal principles ‘ka kamai ïa ka hok, ka tip-briew tip-blei bad ka tip-kur tip-kha,’ but what use are these principles if there is no truth, no righteousness and no honourable living in the society? What use are these principles if they are not put into practice and the society becomes a sham?
It is not just the state but the country too is passing through troubled times. The farmers’ protest which has been going on for months together is another sign of a country which is in trouble. Though the protest has even gained the support of people from outside the country, yet there does not seem to be a solution to the problem. A ray of hope from the last budget session came from a speech by Mahua Moitra which went viral and has been debated far and wide across the country.
Mahua Moitra’s scintillating speech in the august house which most probably is the second most popular speech she made has not only sent shivers down the spine of the ruling dispensation, but has caught the attention of many. Many believe that the Trinamul Congress MP echoed the general feelings of the nation. It is not only Mahua speaking in the House but she resonates the feelings of a common man when she rightly questions the functions of the two main pillars of democracy in the present dispensation. Democracy is in peril if the integrity of the judiciary is questioned. Democracy is in danger if those who question the function of the government are condemned as anti-nationals and are put behind bars without proper trial. Democracy dies the day the press which is supposed to be a watchdog and questions the government becomes a lapdog and hobnobs with those in power. Democracy will not survive if instead of being independent and standing on the side of truth, media chooses sides. It is a sad state of affairs that media now have sides and are alleged to be left or right leaning institutions.
There are also those who raised the flak against Mohua’s fiery speech in parliament. But isn’t parliament the place to speak the truth and during every session isn’t it the duty of parliamentarians to raise important issues that the elected member considers important? If not in parliament then where and when is the right time and the right place to raise these critical issues? Truth has to be told and like Mohua Moitra says it cannot be expunged.
It is now obvious that in the ensuing election to the West Bengal legislative Assembly, the sloganeering competition will be between the Hindu slogan of Jai Shri Ram and Joy Maa Durga or Joy Maa Kali. It is now obvious that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah met their match in Mohua Moitra and Mamata Bannerje the two Royal Bengal tigresses.
Like the storm which promises sunshine, the year that was and the beginning of the current year also hold a promise of a better future for the state. In spite of all the gloom and doom there is hope amidst this dark despair. The recent personal interview for selection of teachers for government Lower and Upper Primary schools in the state under the supervision of the Hon’ble court has brought fairness to the selection process for future teachers in the state. The personal interview under CCTV surveillance which has made a huge difference in the selection process is a welcome change. The selected candidates said that this time it is different because they have passed without any political intervention.
Another ray of hope of having a fair and clean election also lies with the Dorbar Shnong. Since the last election some dorbar shnong have prohibited candidates from bringing big crowds to their campaigns. Instead one or two vehicles were allowed and only the candidate and few of his supporters were allowed to be present in the meeting. This small step has no doubt minimised the expenditure the candidate has to incur which involves hiring of vehicles and serving food for the supporters. The dorbar shnong has a big and important role to play if the state is to have a clean election. The lockdown from COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one lesson and that is the power of the dorbar shnong to bring change to the society.
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