*An Open Letter to Madam Kiran Bedi* Dear Maam! First of all let me confess. I am writing this while a cluster of images flash through my mind. Your name has that effect on us, ask any child who was born in eighties or nineties. I still remember from my childhood days that, every time we had a quiz competition in our school, to name the first woman IPS officer was a sureshot 1 mark. While watching female characters in films who handled tough administrative positions, my mother used to point at TV, and would say to me, She is like Kiran Bedi. Yes, for the uncorrupted man among bureaucrats, we drew comparisons with T.N. Seshan, the Ex Chief Commissioner of Election Commission and among women, it was you. I used to be awed because there was a person for us to look upto, nothing but with immense respect. When I was sixteen, I was totally shaken, reading your story in Wikipedia. My respect towards you had grown multifold, when I came to know how you flagged a speeding ticket to then PM Indira Gandhis escort vehicle. For many of us, you were becoming an idol; a symbol of courage, justice and impartiality. I mean, who would had that much guts? Then India Against Corruption movement came. I came to know about Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare, joined by you as well, leading the biggest public movement in our country of the decade. I was already an ardent supporter of Kiran Bedi IPS, ( thanks to articles about you and Kiran Bedi Foundation that had come in India Today and Outlook, I dont exactly remember where else), I didnt have to think twice to take part in that cause. I was among the masses. I was one among the crowd who wanted a change from the political mess we were in. Later, AAP was formed and went on to make success in Delhi. You stayed away. I believed in you. Your continuously-flowing energy couldnt be contained into a political ideology, and I understood. You criticized AAP. You exposed Congress. You lashed at BJPs hypocrisy with your tweets. And I knew that you were unbiased. I waited for you to comment, to listen to what you were saying. Day before yesterday I was really shocked, when my friend told that you had joined BJP. I was in utter disbelief, and had to check Google again. And there you were, joining BJP, and being the center of rumour that you would be the front face of BJP in the forthcoming Delhi elections. Nowadays, any person who observes Indian Politics, is fallen into the invisible trap of aligning himself (or stamped by others) towards a political party. If you happen to be impressed by Modi, people start calling you a Bhakt. If you talk against him, people will categorize you as an AAPTard. The concept of analysing politics and speaking truth without getting labelled as a party member , is unfortunately not going to happen in this country, unless of course, you become invisible in the eyes of the mass. A person of your fame and stature is always under the speculation and scrutiny of the public and media. Hence, anyone who has an opinion, needs to find the niche of a political party. I have to say, as your fan, I am more than disappointed at your decision of joining BJP. I mean, why Maam? You know they protect the communal and highly rhetoric Baj Rang Dal and VHP under their wings. You know about the RSS propaganda about how celebration of Hindutva should work as an anti-western, anti-muslim wave. You know how much they are corrupt and have thugs and goons in the legislative assembly. Of course, it is a better choice than INC, but I am not able to digest the fact that you joined BJP. I had been a keen observer of US Election of 2008 and Obamas Campaigning. Especially how Obama played the Hope card and stole the show. He promised what people expected from George W. Bush. He raised the hopes of people and capitalised on the anti-incumbency factor. But after four years, I saw how he was labelled as the worst President ever by the same people who had elected him. He was called a person of words, but not action. The world, along with Americans, learned that no single person can change it, even if he is the most powerful man. Only a group of people driven by an ideology can bring a change. I see it again in the Indian Politics, maam. I saw anti-incumbency in 2014, and how people hated UPA for its corruption and minority appeasement. I saw how Modi rose as a symbol of hope, credits to the RSS-BJP think tanks. I saw how he swept of the feet of the majority of Indians by selling the magic word Vikas. I saw him becoming a phenomenon and ultimately ending up as our prime minister. I saw it all Kiran Maam. You must have seen it too. Eight months later, I see nothings changed except a few political tricks and games. Now being a party member, I suppose you will have to endorse the communal, reprehensible remarks made by others. I suppose you will have to bend your head down in shame, every time a BJP MLA or youth leader is arrested for criminal charges on rape and misdemeanor. You will have to defend BJP, even as it is at fault. Or will you raise your voice against your own leadership? I believe, a person of character made of integrity and righteousness like you, cannot stay silent. You have always raised your voice against corruption and injustice. You have always stood for the weaker side. You have respected the same law that you once enforced. I hope you will not be in a dilemma or in an ethical conflict to speak the truth against your partys wishes. Politics is a vicious circle where individuals thoughts are turned into collective conscience. I wish you will not become one of them. Anyway, it is a win-win situation for Delhites, if you are the CM candidate of BJP. After a long time, we have educated and qualified persons to be as the Chief Minister candidates. I wish you all the success, if you are competing in Delhi. In 2013, I had wished AAP too. Since Congress acted well on the BJP script, AAP was pushed into the back foot. AAP is now competing again, possibly against you. Lets see how that goes. Kiran Bedi, the law enforcer was an inspiration to all of us. I hope Kiran Bedi, the politician will not tarnish that image of yours. With respects, A disappointed fan. @Bunny & Monkey
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 06:45:46 +0000
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