I have just seen a video of debate between the candidates contesting Bangalore South loksabha constituency. This debate was organized by Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) - an initiative of citizens aimed at building a better Bangalore and to give an opportunity for the candidates of political parties to highlight their development agenda for the city to an invited audience.
I am extremely glad that they have taken the initiative and all candidates agreed to come together on same platform to discuss their vision. That usually doesn’t happen in India. Our leaders are more interested in commenting on someone’s character (rather than policies) behind the camera. But the people were not come to hear but to make chaos.
Even today, we are not interested in their development agenda, their plans but we are more interested in what language he is speaking, why he is not speaking in mother tongue. Why we are so much aroused when someone says that your community is in danger, your language will vanish in next 50 years but we did not get aroused when we are seeing our pathetic situation with our own eyes. We need to get our priorities right.
Look at the presidential debates, normal senate member’s debates in U.S. Even if they are no better than our leaders on throwing mud on each other’s character but at least people show interest in development policies and maintain a gentle decorum.
It is extremely good that candidates from Bangalore came on same platform. It didn't satisfy the purpose fully but at least they took precedence. Not only M.P.s but Prime ministerial candidates should also come together and discuss their self proclaimed progresses in debate. Even Indira Gandhi had not accepted Atal Bihari Vajpyee’s invitation for debate.
Open debate before election should be done in each and every constituency. Many times supporters, party make hugh bubble of their candidates. These open debates will poof the bubble or will grow bigger. Also more visionary and educated people will have chance.
So the purpose of writing this is, we need to be gentle to hear entirely opposite thoughts to our beliefs. Healthy democracy needs patience. If you have freedom of speech, then your political rivals too have that freedom.
Sad thing is- more than healthy discussions, we love verbal war and controversies. Most T.V. channels show whole day what one speaker told about another and what another one was replied.
Seriously? Grow up media and it is time for us to introspect.
Look at the presidential debates, normal senate member’s debates in U.S. Even if they are no better than our leaders on throwing mud on each other’s character but at least people show interest in development policies and maintain a gentle decorum.
It is extremely good that candidates from Bangalore came on same platform. It didn't satisfy the purpose fully but at least they took precedence. Not only M.P.s but Prime ministerial candidates should also come together and discuss their self proclaimed progresses in debate. Even Indira Gandhi had not accepted Atal Bihari Vajpyee’s invitation for debate.
Open debate before election should be done in each and every constituency. Many times supporters, party make hugh bubble of their candidates. These open debates will poof the bubble or will grow bigger. Also more visionary and educated people will have chance.
So the purpose of writing this is, we need to be gentle to hear entirely opposite thoughts to our beliefs. Healthy democracy needs patience. If you have freedom of speech, then your political rivals too have that freedom.
Sad thing is- more than healthy discussions, we love verbal war and controversies. Most T.V. channels show whole day what one speaker told about another and what another one was replied.
Seriously? Grow up media and it is time for us to introspect.
~Digvijay Sanjay Patil
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