RELEASE OF FONSEKA

IS IT DUE TO INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE OR PRESSURE FROM SRI LANKANS ?

| by N.S.Venkataraman

( May 21, 2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is reported in the media that the decision of Sri Lankan government to release Fonseka has been due to international pressure, particularly from United Nations and from United States of America. What is surprising is that no one has said that the release could have been due to pressure from Sri Lankans. Does it mean that the Sri Lankan government is concerned more about international opinion and international pressure rather than the views of the Sri Lankan citizens , amongst whom there appear to be an overwhelming view that Fonseka should be released.

In the democracies in South East Asia and other developing countries, it appears that the politicians take the people for granted more and more these days and treat their views with contempt. The situation is the same in several countries including India. Average politicians are no more respected by the people as it was the case a few years back. There is a huge disconnect between the politicians and the citizens, as it is evident from the views expressed by many people in private conversation and in some media writings.

Politicians have certainly taken a strangle hold over the governance of the country and have reduced the democratic system to a mockery. They seem to think that the citizens are mere voters and these voters can always be bought over by promises and freebies and deceived by skillful electoral campaign and techniques at the time of elections. By several political parties aligning with each other at the time of election, without any principles or policy outline, the voters are denied the opportunity to evaluate the individual political party and their policies. . Finally , in the whole electoral process, the citizens really become a laughing stock.

If such conditions continue, it is possible that citizens may come to the conclusion that the so called election oriented democracies are more oppressive and suffocating than the dictatorship. The politicians involved in corruption and their viewing the political positions and party positions as if it is a matter of hereditary ( with son succeeding father and nephews and nieces occupying positions in party and government), would make themselves as the hated lot.

Like the olden days chieftains, the politicians belonging to various parties build “an army of followers”, who are paid or enabled to earn by dubious means and such groups are often seen threatening common man, coercing them to give money and cornering tender etc. Such people are really not much different from rowdy elements.

With democratic institutions really becoming a matter of oppression of citizens by group of politicians and the henchmen, now it looks that it will lead to a situation where it will be politicians versus people. This would be a counter productive development and would mean that the glorious concept and practice of democracy will collapse.

The citizens should certainly become more assertive and start expressing their views and protesting whenever atrocities are seen to happen. If they would put up with the scenario and tolerate the conditions, then it would mean that the caliber of the average citizen would be no better than the caliber of the politician.

It has always been said that the citizens get the type of government that they deserve. It is in the hands of people to decide what kind of government and what kind of leadership they need and they deserve.

In any society , it always happens that most citizens lead their own life unconcerned about the happenings around unless it would personally affect them. It is also seen that many citizens even do not mind becoming a beneficiary of corrupt system at one time or the other.

However, history has shown that there have always been minority of concerned citizens , who are principled, fearless and willing to sacrifice for the larger cause of building a resurgent and a fair society. If such citizens assert themselves, there strength would be enough ( even though may not be large) to put fear in the minds of the politicians who are now largely seen as villains.