The Politics of “Aam Aadmi”
By Tomazinho Cardozo
Today, the term “aam aadmi” is popular. Its English equivalence is “common man” or “average man”. The daily wage workers, all taxpayers, traders and retailers, salaried people, women and retired people are supposed to be the different segments of “aam aadmi”.
The inspiration for the term is based on three essentials - food, clothing and shelter.
If food, clothing and shelter – the basic needs – are the requirements of an “aam aadmi” then some people such as taxpayers, traders and retailers, salaried persons, the retired, cannot be categorised under this term without there being any limit to their payment of tax, their overall yearly turnover, their monthly salary, their bank deposits, etc. If all of them come under the purview of the term then what happens to the daily wage workers and the people coming from weaker sections of the society? Do we need another nomenclature for such citizens of the country?
The idea of using the term in politics was started by Congress led UPA coalition government for the first time in 2004. In fact it was an apt answer to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva policy. After the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, BJP used the idea of Hindutva to garner votes in the elections. With careful planning BJP managed to influence people in every nook and corner of the country with the help of Hindutva. This idea helped BJP grow stronger politically.
BJP realised that Hindutva was as a winning political idea and with minor modifications and adjustments here and there they captured political power at the Centre. Hindutva was considered an all powerful idea to win elections. However, in spite of the BJP’s ‘India Shining’ campaign, it lost elections and hence political power at the Centre in 2004. The Congress led UPA government came to power. And it is then that the concept of “aam aadmi” took birth; to play a major role in strengthening the political base of the Congress and its allies.
The concept definitely helped the Congress led UPA coalition to muster political support throughout the country. The concrete proof of its effectiveness lies in the resounding victory of the UPA coalition in the last general elections and the formation of UPA coalition government for the second time. The “aam aadmi” idea clicked because besides the common man’s aspirations of food, clothing and shelter it attempted to empower him in other aspects of life. The Congress led UPA coalition strengthened the Right to Information Act, National Rural Employment Guaranteed Scheme, National Food Security Act and Bharat Nirman Yojana.
These schemes were aimed at improving the economic status of every underprivileged citizen of the society.
It also helped create political awareness among the masses, particularly due to effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. Thus “aam aadmi” has become the focus of political life in the country. Every political party in the country today sings praises of “aam aadmi” only because, as it stands today, it is the most effective formula for winning elections.
Nevertheless is the “aam aadmi” satisfied? There are various reasons for his discontentment. The most damaging effect to the “aam aadmi” has come from rising prices. The true “aam aadmi” – the poor person from the weaker sections of the society – is the real target. The prices of essential commodities have soared and this has made his living very difficult. The factor of unemployment has compounded his difficulties. The education of the “aam aadmi” has been neglected totally. At some places there are no schools at all and if there are schools sometimes there are no teachers in them. A qualitative education to “aam aadmi” remains only a dream. The condition of the Primary Health Centres, particularly in rural India, is pathetic. The health care system provided to him is outdated. The senior “aam aadmi” also complains of the reducing interest rates on their deposits, which is his only income. In short, the day-to-day life of the “aam aadmi” under the prevailing conditions has become increasingly miserable.
Will the slogan “The common man is marching ahead, every step of his makes India stronger” hold good in times to come? The Congress led UPA government will have to take effective measures to improve this gloomy picture. The “aam aadmi” is burdened to such an extent that he cannot take a single step forward to make the country stronger. If he is not taken care of with sincerity then the formula may be rendered useless in the next general elections for the Congress and UPA coalition.
Hence, opposition parties including BJP, SP, RJD, BSP and communist parties also fight for the benefits of “aam aadmi”. These parties do not loose any opportunity to embarrass the government, in and out of Parliament, if found to be neglectful of the “aam aadmi’s” interest. After all the concept of economic, educational and social development of “aam aadmi” is a powerful weapon to wrest political power at the Centre. This idea is going to control the politics of this country for a long time to come.
Today, the term “aam aadmi” is popular. Its English equivalence is “common man” or “average man”. The daily wage workers, all taxpayers, traders and retailers, salaried people, women and retired people are supposed to be the different segments of “aam aadmi”.
The inspiration for the term is based on three essentials - food, clothing and shelter.
If food, clothing and shelter – the basic needs – are the requirements of an “aam aadmi” then some people such as taxpayers, traders and retailers, salaried persons, the retired, cannot be categorised under this term without there being any limit to their payment of tax, their overall yearly turnover, their monthly salary, their bank deposits, etc. If all of them come under the purview of the term then what happens to the daily wage workers and the people coming from weaker sections of the society? Do we need another nomenclature for such citizens of the country?
The idea of using the term in politics was started by Congress led UPA coalition government for the first time in 2004. In fact it was an apt answer to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva policy. After the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, BJP used the idea of Hindutva to garner votes in the elections. With careful planning BJP managed to influence people in every nook and corner of the country with the help of Hindutva. This idea helped BJP grow stronger politically.
BJP realised that Hindutva was as a winning political idea and with minor modifications and adjustments here and there they captured political power at the Centre. Hindutva was considered an all powerful idea to win elections. However, in spite of the BJP’s ‘India Shining’ campaign, it lost elections and hence political power at the Centre in 2004. The Congress led UPA government came to power. And it is then that the concept of “aam aadmi” took birth; to play a major role in strengthening the political base of the Congress and its allies.
The concept definitely helped the Congress led UPA coalition to muster political support throughout the country. The concrete proof of its effectiveness lies in the resounding victory of the UPA coalition in the last general elections and the formation of UPA coalition government for the second time. The “aam aadmi” idea clicked because besides the common man’s aspirations of food, clothing and shelter it attempted to empower him in other aspects of life. The Congress led UPA coalition strengthened the Right to Information Act, National Rural Employment Guaranteed Scheme, National Food Security Act and Bharat Nirman Yojana.
These schemes were aimed at improving the economic status of every underprivileged citizen of the society.
It also helped create political awareness among the masses, particularly due to effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. Thus “aam aadmi” has become the focus of political life in the country. Every political party in the country today sings praises of “aam aadmi” only because, as it stands today, it is the most effective formula for winning elections.
Nevertheless is the “aam aadmi” satisfied? There are various reasons for his discontentment. The most damaging effect to the “aam aadmi” has come from rising prices. The true “aam aadmi” – the poor person from the weaker sections of the society – is the real target. The prices of essential commodities have soared and this has made his living very difficult. The factor of unemployment has compounded his difficulties. The education of the “aam aadmi” has been neglected totally. At some places there are no schools at all and if there are schools sometimes there are no teachers in them. A qualitative education to “aam aadmi” remains only a dream. The condition of the Primary Health Centres, particularly in rural India, is pathetic. The health care system provided to him is outdated. The senior “aam aadmi” also complains of the reducing interest rates on their deposits, which is his only income. In short, the day-to-day life of the “aam aadmi” under the prevailing conditions has become increasingly miserable.
Will the slogan “The common man is marching ahead, every step of his makes India stronger” hold good in times to come? The Congress led UPA government will have to take effective measures to improve this gloomy picture. The “aam aadmi” is burdened to such an extent that he cannot take a single step forward to make the country stronger. If he is not taken care of with sincerity then the formula may be rendered useless in the next general elections for the Congress and UPA coalition.
Hence, opposition parties including BJP, SP, RJD, BSP and communist parties also fight for the benefits of “aam aadmi”. These parties do not loose any opportunity to embarrass the government, in and out of Parliament, if found to be neglectful of the “aam aadmi’s” interest. After all the concept of economic, educational and social development of “aam aadmi” is a powerful weapon to wrest political power at the Centre. This idea is going to control the politics of this country for a long time to come.
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