The announcement of General Elections, 2014 has set to spread the colours of Democracy in Bharat with its unique shades. As the festival of Holi is also around the corner, from ash to eco-friendly colours to chemicals, many more hues will be added in the politically charged up atmosphere.
Like Holi is traditionally associated with colours, fun and celebrating relationships, Indian elections are also like democratic carnival. All political actors create pranks for voters. Increased commonman aspirations and participation will further dramatise the events. The balloons of social media and spices of 24 X 7 electronic media will add up to the taste. New alliances are found and old enmities will be remembered. Though, Election Commission of India, a concerned father is there to keep an eye on daughters during Holi celebrations because all parties will play their tricks, in the name of “Elections Hai”. In the end, everybody will be together to dine and dance for next five years. That is how, these festivals are perceived.
But, on the eve of Holi, there is a significance of ‘Small Holi’, also known as Holika Dahan (lightening of the bonfire). On Vasant Panchami, a wood is kept in a prominent visible place and bypassers keep on adding the inflammable material like leaves and twigs dried through the winter. The sizeable heap is burnt as the Holika effigy (aunt of Bhakt Prahlad, who tried to burn him at the behest of Hiranyakashyap but burnt herself), symbolising the triumph of virtue over evil.
The current regime has also developed ego like Hiranyakashyap and tried their best to finish everybody who worships Bharat. They have also collected enough heaps of corruption and divisive politics and young voters are all set to put it on fire. The resources are drying up and everybody has been experiencing the bone chilling response of the family and its coterie. Hobnobbing with the foreign agencies for sustaining the corrupt practices adopted in 2G, Coal, Augusta Westland to Rolls Royce are self burning. There are also attempts to plant Holika, draped in an Aam Aadmi clothes. The ghost of ‘secularism’ is also in panic. The last minute face saving measures, like ordinances and reservations are not soothing enough for citizens to forget and forgive the vice designs. The goof up in the search and selection process of the appointment of Lok Pal is like calling for the Narsimha Avatara. The obvious result of this trust and credibility deficit is increasing support for the Bharat Bhakts. The anti-evil forces are regrouping while the devil camp is in disarray and illusion.
The celebration of Holi also indicates a new beginning. Not forgetting everything but preparing oneself for the change. It is a time to set new goals; resolve, resolute and execute to attain them. Let us hope that these festivals of Holi and elections do not end up in the mud—slinging and keep us under the hangover of bhang and liquor but truly provide us with the courage to introspect, unite and rededicate ourselves to ensure the victory of good over evil.
