DO OUR GOVERNMENTS RESPOND ONLY TO VIOLENT PROTESTS ? Today, there are many reasons for common man to feel unhappy and frustrated. Inspite of such conditions , people try to remain tolerant and quiet to the extent possible. They express their grievances and complaints in various forums available to them including through media. But, the sad fact is that the government machinery ( ministers and bureaucrats) largely ignore such complaints and seldom respond to them, leaving the people high and dry.
Many instances can be readily cited and now public protests even on many trivial issues such as drainage block, non supply of drinking water, frequent unscheduled power interruptions, voltage fluctuations etc. have become the order of the day.
Under the circumstances, there is growing feeling that the governments would respond only to mass demonstrations and violent protests and without resorting to such form of protests, it would not any more be possible for the people to redress even their minor grievances.
It is increasingly being heard that even if one would submit petition under RTI Act, replies are not received within stipulated time and sometimes evasive replies are given , forcing the petitioners to send repeated reminders. On many occasions, the petitioners become tired and give up.
The question is whether it would be possible to root out corruption amongst the politicians and government machinery without resorting to violent form of protests.
The continued indifference of the central and state governments to the people’s genuine grievances is spreading an atmosphere of restlessness and culture of agitation. If such conditions would continue, everyone would suffer and politicians and bureaucrats would find that gun wielding police men will not be adequate to protect them.
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