In the theory of Karl Marx, the culmination of development is perceptible when the state withers away. Similarly, many yogis and philosophers of India have produced a body of thought that claims that human emancipation is truly possible when awakened souls have total freedom, in other words—anarchy.

Modern thought produced democracy which also speaks of individual freedom and development and it claims that only when the entrepreneur is able to work with freedom, the society in totality develops. Fear of anarchy crept into human thought when and only when a few people wanted control over the larger mass of humanity. As if to consolidate this thought, the larger mass, educated or otherwise, started behaving recklessly. When consideration for fellow beings is absent only then does anarchy turn into something evil.

Today, most of the media and the two national parties—the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have labelled the activities of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as anarchic. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has said “Na khata na bahi, jo Kejriwal kahe woh sahi (no account and no account book, whatever Kejriwal says is correct)." It may be true that Singh is outspoken but this smart repartee could not have been uttered by him without clearance from the highest command centre of his party.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar seems to portray that his party is running scared from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and he has condemned his party’s rival by claiming that Kejriwal is demeaning the spirit of 26 January and creating a state of anarchy.

Kejriwal may be signifying that the protester on the street has now become the man in power. Over the past month and a half, actions of the AAP’s supporters and the rank and file of the party are not only derailing the traditional thought process of the two big parties but also the usual political discussion. Political parties disturbed with the AAP are putting forward an argument that basically says, now that Kejriwal has become the chief minister, he should fall in line and govern the city.

Somehow, this line of thought does not ring correct any more.

Kejriwal may or may not have a superior political strategy that he possibly could be playing out but one thing is for sure: that he has upset the usual political thinkers because they are unable to fathom his goals. While on this topic, one should not forget to mention a fringe thought that claims Kejriwal could be helping Congress with his protests by deflecting public attention from a series of political controversies ranging from Sunanda Pushkar’s death, the coal scam and other major corruption issues that have been pushed under the rug.

A Rahul Gandhi can easily wear a turban, point a finger and try to shout like a Narendra Modi from elevated platforms. Similarly, a Modi, the darling of the private sector, can spew venom against the Gandhi family without ever having to discuss any positive steps that he plans for the country if ever he becomes the prime minister. All these are traditional concepts with which the private sector, most of the media and almost all politicians feel completely at ease with.

Such a scenario of “you or me, me or you...the nation should get the cue," is a binary political thought which should truly be called the new conspiracy hatched to create a puppet democracy in India.

The moneybags of this country want this system to function in such a manner that this side or that, whichever comes to power, should be bending over backwards to help them do what they please in India.

When a Kejriwal has arrived, there is obvious disruption of the placid situation that most of the educated elite of India have helped create. The abhorrence towards an oppressive police force as made out by Kejriwal is a point to ponder.

Even after independence, the Indian police has consistently increased its rigid attitude of being against the common citizen. No police administrator or politician has ever, in the past 65 years, tried to create a new mindset within that force. Kejriwal’s reasons for his protests may seem flimsy. Many office-goers in central Delhi must have been terribly inconvenienced. Yet, unlike the Arab Spring, no one has been killed. Whenever a change is sought in the status quo, suffering is inevitable. We, as a country, have fallen into a premeditated stupor.

Kejriwal’s future success, longevity in political power or the spread of the AAP are not issues one should bother with. Kejriwal is an indication that Indian society should be hankering for an alternative thought process. His protests could be a ploy or drama but the mental play that Kejriwal has unleashed is definitely the need of the hour.

Tathagata Satpathy is a member of Parliament affiliated to the Biju Janata Dal.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Share Via