People’s verdict 2024

People’s verdict 2024

The people of the land have spoken, and their verdict is cautionary.

Post the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections and all the accompanying brouhaha in the preceding months leading up to it, the citizens of India have mandated to continue with the ruling party, but with strong checks and balances via a large opposition.

This is Democracy in all its glory, where no personality can be bigger than the masses. No matter how great or glorious a leader, it is dangerous for him to think he is invincible. For all the good he may (or may not) be doing, the fact that he can be brought down a few notches from a high pedestal at the will of the people, is an important factor in preserving the fabric of a free and fair country.

As we know, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. No one should become the ‘absolute’ in any manner; a little temperance is good for all.

Temperance and a little restraint – in speech and action – are like much-needed speed-breakers in life as in politics. It stops a hurtling-down-a-given-path mindset with no thought for other viewpoints. At the very least, temperance forces one to consider other perspectives and examine diverse opinions before reaching any conclusion and deciding on a particular course of action. Even with the best of intentions and best interests at heart for the larger good, a bit of rein-in is the right thing.

As the judicious saying goes, the four pillars of virtue are:

Wisdom, Justice, Courage and Temperance.

How many of these can we say to have achieved?

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In a Democracy, no personality can be bigger than the masses