Recently, Rahul Gandhi in the serene premises of Delhi's prestigious St. Stephens College (his alma mater) called for the educated youth of the country to join politics. He was right in the spirit of the words he used but for the readers of this article it is necessary to know as to what has caused disenchantment regarding politics among the educated youth of this country. The biggest contributor to this cause is the very political class to which he belongs. And here I have the reasons:

Politics, no matter under what rhetoric it is presented, is a game of power. This game of power manifests itself in the form of a fight for the space among the political aspirants and the, lucky, One who occupies this space seldom vacates or retires. The political arena with the span of time becomes a highly crowded sphere, where every bit of space gets filled and the possibility of some space for a new entrant becomes impossible. Even then, for, those who want to enter this sphere has to wedge a battle where only the fittest can survive.

It is interesting to note here that in the West, whom we have often copied in content but have faltered in character, there has evolved a disciplined political culture and where the political sphere is routinely vacated. Hence there is always some space for the new entrants. We have the example of USA, UK and other developed western countries. In the USA George Washington, the first President, set the trend by not contesting for the third term and instead opted for farming. Moreover what is special about western polity is that the political leaders graciously accept their defeat or their inability to rule further and walk through the exit route for the successors.

However the case has not been same for India. We have the example of our first Prime Minister Who ruled for seventeen years even then he did not retired rather he was stripped of his post by Nature, the great leveler –death. Not only this, politics over the time has become a game of political dynasties in India. Though this phenomenon started once as a single case, for the Nehru-Gandhi family, has now developed geometrically and has engulfed the whole of Indian political space. It happened as though the spoils of the system belonged, only, to family of the politicians and gradually this has made Indian politics – a murky tale of father-son, father-daughter, mother-son etc's achievements. It can be said that the already compact political sphere was squeezed to near perfection so that no fresh air (new political aspirant) can pass through it. As we can see who are ruling the roost in the Indian political sphere. A blind man's survey will find that eighty percent of political parties are maliciously practicing as well as propagating this phenomenon.

It is in this background that youth of the country has lost their interest in politics. There is little space and resources for one to enter politics. Moreover the political environment is not as clean as
it is presented. Politics has become a professional endeavor of the few and the political space is already occupied by the political landlords of the country. And hence there is little encouragement for any new entrants. This inevitability of impossibility drives the youth to other vocations such as crime, terrorism or some errant NGO's etc.

However, it is high time to clear the air and make some space the new. The political class of this country will have to address this issue of grave concern or else people will have to become the protector of their share themselves. Firstly, if the leaders have failed in their jobs then it is our duty to give them their due in this season of elections. Secondly there is a need to evolve some healthy political culture and the norms of behavior. Thirdly, we would have to dismantle the institutions which have encouraged the patrimonial-political hegemony of the few. Fourthly, the wrong notion of politics as a career opportunity or a profession, which is in circulation these days will have to be corrected. As it is this notion that has given space to the political opportunists and have brought opprobrium to politics in our country. Politics will have to be seen with a human worldview, as an avenue for service not for being served. Lastly, it is essential for the youth to gather a sense of courage to claim the right of a nation which belong to us. In an ideal polity, which the framers of our constitution wanted for India, there should be a place for everyone. For this there is a necessity to change the way we think in India.

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*writer is a student of political science in Delhi University

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I can not agree any less with the author of this very well written article. There was a time when politics was one of the noblest endeavours ( after medicine and teaching in my view) . Men, both ordinary and extraordinary striving for a single goal devoted themselves to the service of the nation. We had numerous great leaders in the past. Now the way is almost shut. This noble profession (let me call it so) has fallen into the hands of a selected few - the existing dynasties, their coteries and criminals, the scum of the society. Devotion to the nation and its polity ( and the art and science of doing so) is not a qualification anymore. The notion of politics as a profession is not so bad in principle. If we take into account all different post and number of people involved in it, it is astoundingly huge. However, sadly, majority of the so called professionals of polity are devoid of the basic qualifications - devotion to the nation and its constitution and ultimately to the people in the truest sense. There is no definite route for a patriotic citizen to involve himself in the political system. Leadership, organizational ability, intelligence, oratorial skills, character, . . . . etc. may be of great value in business and other professions but no more in politics. I remember the quote from Chanakya, "Political system is the root of the state-nation-tree". Does not matter how much we strive, unless the root is healthy and strong, the nation can not achieve its desired goals and it can not fulfill the aspirations of its leaves, the people, and certainly can not realize the potential of bearing good fruits.

On a different note - after having painted a gloomy picture of the current situation - let me bring your attention to one recently formed party in Andhra Pradesh named Loksatta Party. Founded by a former IAS officer Dr. Jay Prakash Narayan, this party stands for something good. I watched some of the videos of the on YOUTUBE, went over some of activities through news papers ( just to add, they don't get much publicity-) and was filled with, amazingly, a positive light that I had not experienced in a while. I will definitely write in detail on this party some day but for the moment let me just say that there is a ray of hope and we too can bring change if we summon the courage that is burried inside by the load of too much of pessimism and negativity. YES WE CAN.

Upendra Prasad