I sense a heightened sense of euphoria in the social & news media upon the recent verdict to send Jayalalitha to jail for corruption. It is emotionally justified because of a multitude of reasons. First of all, this is a rare event. In fact, as rare as the Mangalyaan mission. After all, it is the first time that we have reached Mars, and it is the first time that a sitting Chief Minister is disqualified for corruption. No wonder that the emotions are similar. Second, of all the talk and agitation about corruption, there hasn't been a perceivable change in the way things have been running in ground reality. Desperate are we, and this news is like the first drop of summer rain. We do not know if there is a second drop coming; but there is an anticipation filled with anxiety. There is plenty of thirst to quench and it has to show up somehow.
But, I am not interested in that emotional catharsis. What lay in front of us? The clue lies in Tamil Nadu. And the clue is utterly disappointing. In fact, the clue always has been there, grinning at us. With impunity. Jayalalitha became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the first half of 1990s with a massive victory (I don't remember the exact time or the margin of victory, but it has been really massive). Her first term was notorious for corruption & scandals, so much so that when the People got a chance to respond, they literally spanked her, giving Karunanidhi a similarly massive majority. Then followed the ugly Sari-episode, Disqualification, Dummy experiment, Midnight-arrest masala, 2G Spectrum coloring competition etc etc. In any case, the People decided that Jayalalitha is the best they can find. The very same People are now burning buses. Somewhere else, Lalu Prasad Yadav went to jail for corruption, came back & People voted for him for assembly poles merely a few months after thumping him in the Parliament elections.
So, what is the meaning of this euphoria again? Really? Howmuchever we talk about corruption in news, as People, when we go to vote in elections, we have bigger issues and different priorities (And I am not saying that there is anything wrong with it in a democratic context). The journalists may not be aware of it, Kejriwal may not be aware of it, but the politicians are aware of it. Jayalalitha is also aware of it. So, when she comes out of the jail (most probably on bail in a couple of days, not four years. But let's give it 4 years for argument's sake), she will be back where she was till yesterday - the CM's chair. It will happen, if not in 2016, then in 2026. So, the point is - it is alright to make noise today, just be aware that this is the pointless screaming of playful children during the college arts festival, not the confident and purposeful applause of ISRO scientists.
But, I am not interested in that emotional catharsis. What lay in front of us? The clue lies in Tamil Nadu. And the clue is utterly disappointing. In fact, the clue always has been there, grinning at us. With impunity. Jayalalitha became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the first half of 1990s with a massive victory (I don't remember the exact time or the margin of victory, but it has been really massive). Her first term was notorious for corruption & scandals, so much so that when the People got a chance to respond, they literally spanked her, giving Karunanidhi a similarly massive majority. Then followed the ugly Sari-episode, Disqualification, Dummy experiment, Midnight-arrest masala, 2G Spectrum coloring competition etc etc. In any case, the People decided that Jayalalitha is the best they can find. The very same People are now burning buses. Somewhere else, Lalu Prasad Yadav went to jail for corruption, came back & People voted for him for assembly poles merely a few months after thumping him in the Parliament elections.
So, what is the meaning of this euphoria again? Really? Howmuchever we talk about corruption in news, as People, when we go to vote in elections, we have bigger issues and different priorities (And I am not saying that there is anything wrong with it in a democratic context). The journalists may not be aware of it, Kejriwal may not be aware of it, but the politicians are aware of it. Jayalalitha is also aware of it. So, when she comes out of the jail (most probably on bail in a couple of days, not four years. But let's give it 4 years for argument's sake), she will be back where she was till yesterday - the CM's chair. It will happen, if not in 2016, then in 2026. So, the point is - it is alright to make noise today, just be aware that this is the pointless screaming of playful children during the college arts festival, not the confident and purposeful applause of ISRO scientists.
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