Dynastic Politics
By Abdullah Khan
26 January, 2009
Countercurrents.org
After Omar Abdullah took over as the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, debate on the participation of youth in politics gained momentum. However, the real face of youth participating in Indian politics is something different; only those young faces are being promoted who belong to political dynasties. The unsung and low-profile youth are still marginalized in Indian politics.
At the age of just 38, Omar Abdullah became J&K Chief Minister. The moot question is whether Omar Abdullah could have come into the political limelight had he not been the son of Farooq Abdullah, or for that matter his father could have stolen the political show had he also not been the son of J&K lion Sheikh Abdullah. India in the 21st century has a greater representation of youth with the next 25 years hogged by the youth power. Being at the top slot is not because they are young but it requires something more in politics.
Recently, the Congress has started singing the youth tune. It is an attempt to project Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister and link the party to the youth. In BJP too, youth are being promoted but only those who are linked to big politicians. Except the Left, nearly all political parties are promoting their leaders' sons.
Swearing-in of Omar Abdullah and Ashok Chavan at the behest of Rahul Gandhi was a part of calculated political move just like making Jyotiraditya Sindhia and Jitin Prasad as ministers. Besides the Congress, Mulayam Singh Yadav promoted his son Akhilesh, Choudhury Ajit Singh, who himself was initially groomed by his father and late Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, Ajit Singh promoted his son Jayant, Karunanidhi promoted his Children M.K.Azhagiri, M.K.Stalin and Kanimozhi, Rajnath Singh promoted his son Pankaj Singh and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed promoted his daughter Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed. All these names could make their presence felt in the country's political scene since they have blessings of their political dynasties. Marginalized youth climbing up the ladder of fame and recognition are exceptions, like Manishankar Aiyer or Kamal Nath.
Despite being world's largest democracy, it is a rare scene in Indian politics when youths are being promoted from grass-root level. But to strengthen democracy, political parties need to include the marginalized youth of the country. Any leader promoting his or her progeny must also be shunned. Because Dynasty politics is the bane of India.
Abdullah Khan is a media professional working with ETV News as a News Caster/Copy Editor and live in Hyderabad. His work has appeared in Communalism Combat, The Pioneer, The Milli Gazette and Radiance Viewsweekly etc. [email protected]
