Puppet Shows in Politics

('The great Indian puppet show' in one of the popular news channel has always fascinated the author. He would like to analyze a 'real-time' (unless you argue on what exactly is reality is) puppet shows in our politics. Thanks to some of our leaders, we always had the opportunity to enjoy them, inspite of the lack of patronage to this form of art. To be precise, a satire on indian politics.)

I was rambling around and looking for various museums in Paris, which houses some of the great museums of Art, Science and History. One of such museums is Musee-de-Quai-Branley. Not far from the Champ de Mars and a building near Eiffel Tower, Musee-de-Quai Branley was an attempt by France, to exhibit non-western art and culture, which has never been much of attention amongst the Europe. The endeavor is a wonderful one where the information regarding various cultures of countries, regions were brought under one roof.
What interested me most, ofcourse was the section on India. I was quite curious what would be from India. Indeed it is a well documented and a well narrated display about India: from Kalaripayattu in Kerala, Rangoli in South India, to the great festivals of Kali in Bengal. What was even more fascinating was the replicas of Puppet show and a video on it (called, "Tholubommalaata" from Andhrapradesh). Infact we must get inspired (ofcourse it doesnt mean copying) from them, to establish a similar one in India, only if we get out this (pseudo-) secular paranoia.
Puppet Show is an ancient art, where the artist (or narrator) narrates a story generally from history, myths or folklore to entertain audience of various age groups. To be short, it is a visual art, similar to the present day movies, which had a great patronage previously in India. Ofcourse there are some variants of the Puppet show, which seem to be endemic to places. However, its sad that we are nearly loosing this art form.
In the similar way, the Puppet show in Indian politics has always been an interesting episode. There are undocumented 'puppet shows' in the pre-independence era of the Congress party, where the members tried to serve their narrators from industry. This control from these 'outside' hands seemed to have worried Gandhi who has insisted to make Congress party into a Social organization, called Lok Seva Dal. While some of the leaders like JP, Lohia etc., supported it, the big stalwarts like Nehru and Sardar opposed it. Since, even my father was not born by then, its difficult for me to know the details of these undocumented shows, hence, I would forbid myself to get into that.


Now, considering the vogue prevailing of the present day politicking, there are three genres (or themes) in this 'art'.

1. "Government is for politicians" : The basic plot involves transformation of civil servants who would the cause of their own benefits. Ofcourse, the replacement basically depends on the 'interests' of the political party. For instance, the most popular script in this genre is the replacement of the Collectors, Commissioners, DIGs at State level by their Governments to facilitate 'better governance' and 'co-operation between people's representatives and the bureaucracy'. This has become a birth right of a politician in India, ofcourse the politicians interested in 'real-politik'.

2. "A dormant stamp": This involves electing or nominating a 'Yes man' (or woman :) ) to a post like Governor and President. Ofcourse, in case of presidents, Indira started it, and its continued over the generations quite faithfully, with a couple of glitches here and there.
There was tremendous thought given in the election of the people like Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan etc., But, things changed slowly. Mr.Zail Singh as honorable President of India, has told on record that he would take the broom and sweep the floor if Indira Gandhi asked him to do so. That doesn't stop there. We have seen a series of Presidents because of whom the charm of the post which was once held by stalwarts has marred. After all this, we have our present Hon'ble President Pratibha Patil. When the congress high-command has declared that Pratibha Patil would be nominated for the post, then one question arose in almost of the Congress plenary.."Who is Pratibha?" She finally became the President of India. If Congress wanted a lady president, probably they must of opted for Capt.Lakshmi Sehgal (she was an active member in INA, worked closely with Netaji), who contested against Dr.APJ. Thanks to the poor organization of NDA and UNPA, they led to whole lot of confusion, which would have hurt the most popular president of India, our beloved missile man.
Ofcourse, this doesn't start or end with Congress itself. We have BJP placing their candidates in the Governors seats whenever they get an opportunity. What I am trying to say is, ideally, we must have a rational and non-political candidate (atleast a political leader in the taste of all the parties) and NOT some biased person. We have seen the worst side of this bias in the times of Emergency, Punjab riots and Operation Blue Star. Would we like to see more of them?

3. "Suspense thriller": Latest repertoire of the Congress party, the script is a suspense thriller, about the next Prime minister. Generally, the scene begins with everyone praising Soniaji about her great sacrifice. Then, the high-command of Congress, would be waiting near the gates of 10- Janpath, in the hot sun for an order (did I say order, read it as consensus) on who would take the seat of honour. Ofcourse, there are some comedians who would leave queer dialogues like Rahul must be the next PM, although Rahul might be feeling that he must be on the seat only after his Romanian (or Spanish) Girl Friend permits him.
Finally, there would be a decision which is a surprising twist for all the audience (probably even to the actors), about the nomination. Some one as remote as Mr.M.Satyanarayana Rao (for those who don't know him, he is a faithful follower of Nehru-Gandhi family, and present minister in the Government of AP, for the department of Temples development in Andhra Pradesh), can become the next Prime minister of India. Since all that he needs is just Her 'Kripa'. Ofcourse, this is generally once in five years, but mainly depends on the sheer will of 10-Janpath.

True, this is all fun. But, we are getting entertained at the expense of our taxed money, and our welfare.