GURUDAKSHINA

We boast of being the citizen of the greatest democracy in the world. The present Panchayat Election in Assam has shown its ugly face. And we are at a loss to understand what democracy is! If this is the system of democracy , then what is the definition of not being in a democratic country is a matter to think of, and puzzling no doubt. It was the rule of goons almost everywhere specially in the Hailakandi District of Assam. The most powerful were not the election commission or the machinery under its control but the so-called local leaders.

The undisciplined arrangement of transportation to move the great number of polling officers to the polling stations were depicting the activity of the ineligible officers appointed for the purpose . The security measure is a matter to laugh at — two Home Guards with sticks(!) in each polling Booth to face(!) the odds. These brilliant(!) arrangements allowed the polling officers to reach the destination at night after ten to prepare themselves for the vote next morning. Now hear about the accommodation — the ground was the ‘khatia” to open the bedding, the open field or grazing or the paddy field nearby are the places to be used as urinal or latrine. Rest you imagine.

The polling officers are mostly from the teachers community. Their duties are arranged by those officers who were once the students of that community. These officers who were once students (any doubt!) pay their tribute and express their gratitude in this way. No feelings for this great mass of working force can be understood from the mismanagement and indiscipline in each and every step as if the Election Commission has become the “niggardly Kossia” to release the adequate fund for the conduction of the Election.

The once students, now the responsible officers, thus pay their “GURUDAKSHINA”.