India has delivered many intellectuals in the veil of idiots. Politics is one area where the statement applies most accurately, the other being bureaucracy. For a country which warrants individual freedom and diversity, definition of the word idiot become even more important.
While the fifth phase of 2014 general elections saw high voter turnout , there were few who found their dining halls more comforting than the voting booths. The word 'idiot', here concerns them.
In ancient Greece any person not found voting would be publicly marked and labelled an idiot. It might be a myth as claimed by many but it also describes the word idiot in the most liberal sense. Elections are the essence of democracy, any person denying his right to vote doesn’t just insult democracy but also undermines the importance of rights he possess as a result of it.
Considering the importance of vote and issues citizens have with voting, the Election commission came out with the "none of the other option", NOTA which gives them the right to register a negative opinion. While NOTA doesn’t give you the right to reject all the candidates it enables you to establish your dislike for them.
The connection between idiot and NOTA seems absurd but so does the existence of India which had been ticked off by Englishmen who considered Indians infants in terms of governance.Reflecting upon the nature of Indian political system and its impact , it is time we realise the importance of voting. It might not give us an alternative but it does provide us with a choice.
Note : The writer isn't crazy
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