If what is happening in Karnataka is democracy, I want to know why we celebrate being the largest democracy in the world.
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When a Hindu votes for a candidate, but his neighbours who are Christians and Muslims, vote for a Party, is it democracy?
When one who has filed his nomination approaches a Hindu based on his Caste & a Christian or a Muslim, based on his Religion, is it democracy?
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When a Hindu votes for a Party, but his neighbours who are Christians and Muslims vote for any candidate but the one who belongs to the aforesaid Party, is it democracy?
When a Party bases its campaign on breaking up a Religion or on fear-mongering in Christians and Muslims, is it democracy?
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When a voter votes out of consideration for good work done / capable working candidate, but majority in his constituency vote for another candidate/Party because of PAID consideration, is it democracy?
When an elected politician sides with a Party based on PAID consideration, is it democracy?
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When those who have sold their votes queue up at the voting booth, but those who haven’t sold their votes sit at home and relax, is it democracy?
When those who have sold their MLA/MP status, get a berth in the Ministry, but those who haven’t sold themselves get no rewards, is it democracy?
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When the educated complain and berate the Government in power and spend hours listing out their shortcomings, and then don’t turn up to vote, is it democracy?
When during the election campaign, candidates and their Parties speak ill of their opposition, but after the results, form a coalition just to retain power, is it democracy?
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When truckloads of people are brought to a booth and ordered to vote for a particular candidate, and the voting officials can’t do anything about it, is it democracy?
When busloads of elected representatives are brought to the Vidhan Sabha and ordered to vote for a particular candidate, and the Speaker can’t do anything about it, is it democracy?
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When to get votes, people are given gifts and enticed with cash and liquor, all of which last for just a few days, and people put these 5 days ahead of the 5 years that follow, is it democracy?
When to retain power, the greedy are given Chief Ministership and the right to rule for 5 years and people accept it, because they have given up the 5 years for one day of holidaying, is it democracy?
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When the voter IDs are faked, not for supporting democracy, but for subverting it, is it democracy?
When the Rule book is summoned, not for being just, but for preventing justice, is it democracy?
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When one man who already has the world at his feet, does hundreds of rallies for no personal benefit, but those who attend the rallies fail to go and vote, is it democracy?
When one man who has never achieved anything, never shown any capacity, has millions fawning at his feet only because he belongs to a family, and his people work hard to subvert natural justice out of hatred for the one mentioned above, is it democracy?
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When those who ‘forgot’ to vote, cannot undo their wrong and then decide to give excuses like ‘Promises not kept’, is it democracy?
When those who were voted do not want to accept the verdict and then decide to get together giving excuses like ‘Secularism is in danger & has to be protected at all costs’, IS IT DEMOCRACY?
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