Self-styled social workers on the rise in Manipur politics
Social work is associated with dedication and selflessness. However, people, who earn huge sums by any means try to enter electoral politics in the guise of social workers. This has maligned the true meaning of social work.
NATURALLY HUMAN beings tend to be democratic, as no one wishes to remain under the subjugation of the other. Amidst the inherent ego of being a human being among the other fellows, individuals have numerous likes and dislikes in a society that leads to conflicts and antagonisms among them in all aspects of life. Hence, the need for an able leadership to manage the social and political affairs for maintaining harmonious living in a state arises. Under this principle, people themselves choose their representatives through whom they rule over themselves in a democracy. People in democracy are supposed to be well informed, matured and highly valued. Democracy is rightly defined as government of the people, for the people and by the people. It is an ideal requirement of a democracy that its people involve and participate in the governance in more than one form.
Development in varied forms is cherished by the people so as to compete in this highly sophisticated global race. But it is necessary to maintain a balance between economic progress and social progress so as to march towards human civilisation. Only material and infrastructural improvements in the absence of human resource development will not reflect the true meaning of development. It means that every development programme has to have the involvement and approval of its people.
Otherwise, there will be no sustainability and longevity in implementation. Patriarchal development, which means whatever done by the ruler is good and none has ever challenged its demerits, has no place in this modernised existence. Sense of ownership towards development automatically arises where people themselves involve and participate. People’s active participation is possible where there is human value and dignity of life.
Besides participating in the election of its leaders, people need to involve in discussions and deliberations on various policies and programmes of the government from time to time so as to shape public opinion for the betterment of the society. Public opinion may be moulded through either the different media available or the pressure groups that work for the welfare of the masses which exists in a state. Strong public opinion will always keep the rulers awake and it will prevent them from indulging in favouritism and nepotism in governance.
The government programmes and policies will be steered to the right direction towards a welfare state, whenever its people remain vigilant. Leaders will surely be responsible and responsive to the well informed and vigilant people. Active involvement of citizens in democracy also requires discharge of its duties commensurate with the exercise of rights guaranteed in the system. The supremacy of the people and its authority shall remain the universal indication for a healthy democracy. The higher the values of human life in a society, the more will be the meaningful existence of democratic system. Is MLAship a business? Citizens elect their leaders to represent them in the state assembly for a five year term. During the tenure, the representatives are supposed to discharge two concrete duties – to oversee and redress the grievances of its people in the constituency, and to actively participate in policy-formulation of the state by involving in deliberations and discussions in the assembly. People have to see whether these two main functions are being reflected in our leadership. It is imperative to choose our leaders based on these qualities, so as to maintain a healthy political system. The state, on behalf of its people, pays respect and remunerations to the representatives or MLAs for their valuable service to the people. The leaders, in turn, enjoy a dignified protocol and ably perform their assigned duties in order to continue in office for subsequent tenures. MLAs, with the ultimate expiry of their tenure, are entitled to get lifetime pension and also medical benefits taking into account their valuable contribution in the service of its people. Local area development funds for the MLAs, rupees 45 lakhs a year at present, are to be utilised for the infrastructural improvements in each constituency with the due approval of the concerned MLA. We frequently witness leaders utilising these funds at their own discretion as if it is meant for charity or donations to the electorates. There is no guarantee that he/ she shall use it at his/ her own discretion and for charity or donation to the people. It is not sure whether the beneficiary committees formed to guide and suggest its proper utilisation, are working rationally or they are going at the behest of the MLAs. It is high time people scrutinised the rationality and reasonableness in the utilisation of such public funds. With the aim of garnering monetary benefits and power mongering, many wealthy people come forward to contest elections to become MLAs. Retired government officials find their recreation in politics by contesting in elections, easy-moneyed wealthy contractors and suppliers vie for becoming people’s representatives to gain power. Such people who have never been in social service disguise themselves as social workers. However, it is unfortunate that they lack public contacts and their respect for people’s sentiments is always at stake. “Burgeoning of such new brand social workers in Manipur politics has doubted the intellectual circle whether MLAship has become a profitable business ?” Maligning the spirit of true social workers In the United States Presidential elections, the candidates are made to deliberate on public issues before the media so that the electorates have the opportunity to judge the best in terms of its ideology and capability. There is no convention of canvassing door to door, and also wooing voters by unfair means. True leaders are elected out of this practice. It is impossible in a system where materialism rules over everything and human dignity has reduced to a mere commodity that can be traded for money. Manipur has recently witnessed a wealthy young generation, who have accumulated enough wealth by hook or by crook and come out to gain political leadership in the guise of social workers. Initially king makers who have associated with ministers and MLAs for contractual works and government supplies, such new brand social workers now yearn to become kings themselves. They possess costly equipment like the JCBs, trucks etc. other than big vehicles such as Boleros or Scorpios as their personal conveyance. The society, in reflection of its immaturity and primitive mindset, has done a great injustice in terming them as social workers.
Local media frequently publish reports and photographs of such social workers participating in or arranging public services like construction of drainage, road repairing, distribution of basic necessities, fertilisers and season crops to farmers etc. Local clubs or organisations also often issue words of praise to the so called social workers only to popularise their names in the name of social service. It is really worthy of praise that they have come out with their flexing muscles and with their possessions to serve the people. However, political biasness and yearning for electoral benefits have reduced their hard-work to simply a dramatic appearance which ends with mere scolds of many. Demonstration of properties and muscle power for tacit political gains can not be the qualification for their being named as social workers. Rather it is dangerous that the poor voters will readily surrender their electoral rights to such people in exchange of cash and kind vomited by them in election times.
Who is a social worker and what is his qualification ? Does wealth and muscle power groom a social worker ? What is the tacit goal that a social worker strives for ? Encyclopedia Britannica defines ‘social work’ as “any of the various professional activities or methods concerned with providing social services to disadvantaged, distressed or vulnerable persons or groups. Social workers may serve the needs of children and families, the poor or homeless, immigrants, veterans, the mentally ill, the handicapped, victims of rape or domestic violence etc.” The social worker should necessarily have a service mind without expecting personal gains. His or her services should be totally voluntary and sacrificial in nature. The price of human beings has considerably lessoned in Manipur with the wealthy political opportunists wooing for votes on the eve of elections. It is unfortunate that in some constituencies in the hearth of Imphal city, parties and feasting for elections have already begun more than a year ahead of general elections. Such a trend discourages many people leading a hand-to-mouth life to work and earn for the family. Too early electioneering in some parts of the state encourages the young people to indulge in ill-behaviour like burgeoning drugs and alcohol use, thereby leading to crimes and anti-social activities. The elections will never become free and fair amidst the wealth and power demonstrated by the contenders. The poor and sincere will have no room for expressing their intent will in this corrupted democratic system. Corruption and favoritism will be stronger and deep-rooted day by day. Humanity will lose its values and dignity. In such a potentially chaotic social situation, people as supreme authority in a democracy have to realize its power and its dignity by defeating the ill designs created by materialistic possessions. It is time we taught a meaningful lesson to the society that we are not for sale.
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