Muammar Gaddafi might soon be dethroned from his more than 40 years' rule of Libya. With the rebel forces storming Tripoli it is just a matter of time that country will be freed completely of decades of misrule and tyranny. Close enough, in Syria we are witnessing another struggle which may see the same path as the one in Libya.
These are interesting times we are living in. Since December last year we have seen large uprisings and protests across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. It is almost as if there has been a simultaneous collective awakening of people across that part of the world. The public has had enough and is rising to claim their rightful; much delayed place as participants in their and their country's destinies. Activism of this scale and nature has never been witnessed in these parts of the world. It is an extremely significant trend that leaders and politicians across the world need to acknowledge and understand. This coupled with what is happening in our country is signal that people want things to improve.
There might be a hierarchical difference in terms of maturing of a country and its systems, and in what the people are striving for across the two regions, but it is driven by a shared angst against how things have been for the last few decades. The rulers in these nations are outdated and out of touch with their subjects' aspirations. While, the Middle East is one of the few regions to have embraced democracy, we have a deeply flawed model in place. Though we might be better off, the desperation and despair that we feel is the same as that of people in the MENA region.
In my mind there is barely any difference between dictators and incompetent elected leaders. Some might argue that we might be better off, because we can vote and change governments, but the political class as a collective category behaves exactly like the tyrants who rule nations for years on end. Our politicians treat their positions as a right and the country as their fiefdom. The Gandhi Family, the Marans, the Pawars, Mayawati, Laloo Prasad, the list goes on. All of these people collectively are the same as a Gaddafi or an Assad or a Mubarak. There is nothing to distinguish these two sets of people. They are all driven by greed for power and money. Of creating wealth for their own and a complete, absolute lack of concern or duty towards the people they think they lead. Dictators claim that right by force, our politicians by way of elections. The elected people might change every 5 years in some cases, but the rape and plunder of this country goes on unaffected.
Long brewing desperation and seething anger in the people have forced them to take desperate measures. While people have taken to arms in the MENA region, people here have taken to the streets. A lot of commentators have reacted with skepticism; saying that such protests where the consequences are not clear do not make much sense. Political commentators are quick to point out that in absence of credible alternatives to government formation in countries like Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc. might lead to further turmoil and uncertainty. What they ignore is the people's will to affect change, any change. Things have stayed the same for way too long now without any indication of the smallest change happening. The people's frustration with stagnating systems has crossed all limits. They do not care about the consequences at this stage. All they need is to change the way things have been for decades. For people who have suffered, consequences can follow. While it may not appeal to the intelligentsia and vested interests in respective countries (including ours), real people do not care. That is the thing about the public anger. When it comes to the surface, it is because the people have had enough. It might not manifest in a correct or an ideal way but it is serious enough for the leaders to take notice and start doing something about it. Intelligentsia be damned, they just sit on the sidelines and feel compelled to comment on events in an 'objective' manner. What they need to do is be a part of change, contribute constructively to the movements. The snobbery coupled with the need to appear detached serves no purpose. Take the plunge dammit!
Naysayers can keep commenting and making observations, the undeniable truth of the matter is that the people are affecting change on their own will. They are the ones making dictators run for their lives. Whatever happens next will happen only because they chose to stand up and be counted.
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