Democracy survives on our short term memories not only in the world's biggest democracy but around the world. This is the whole premise which explains how the leaders even the ones with strong question marks on their deeds, character or whatever get re-elected. In some countries it is very obvious and in some it is very subtle but the point is our short memory snaps allow the culprits and tyrants to survive.
India is a big democracy and when the world big is used here it refers to a billion strong people with a complex system of governance. The question is how we forget all these so easily. To bring into perspective let's work on simple facts.
Let's go into the recent accolades, medals and appreciation for Congress (the current part in power) in India. Dr. Manmohan Singh with his cabinet and with the support of the allies like DMK and blessings of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. How many big scandals or allegations can you remember?
One of the colleague asked the question and here is the list we compiled together. It took us some time to recall. Here is the quick list.
a) Nuclear Deal special plan for MP's - money for vote
b) Common Wealth Games
c) 2G Scam
d) CVC Appointment
e) Adarsh Society
f) IPL - Tharoor resigned
g) Mumbai Blasts
h) Datewada Massacre
i) Kashmir Roits
i) Clemency plea filed by Ghulam Nabhi Azad for Afzal guru
j) Radia Taps
Probably Congress is setting new standards in terms of what it costs to the Indian ex-chequer and may give tough competition to any other corrupt government. Each of these was worth hours of prime time media coverage and kilometers in terms of print coverage.
And the last one on the list probably explains a part of how we forget so easily. Media plays an important part in making share the information is carefully screened and then propaganda fed to the voters. Even setting up especial envoys in media like Barkha Dutta and Veer Sanghvi ( as per 'Radia Tapes') to the extent of setting up questions for key interviews.
It is still a long time for elections and hence clean up but I guess we got to remember before we VOTE !
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