Elections in the country has given rise to the latest fad of 'political debates'. Facebook, twitter, newspapers, office coffee breaks, dinner table...these discussions are following me everywhere.
Social media and web have also played a significant role in people expressing their support openly. There is so much more to read, absorb and form opinions about.
This is democracy - differences of opinion, all being heard for a careful vote towards the majority.
I am happy to experience this information age, but it comes with it's backlash. The more opinionated people get and more they want to be heard, the debates thereafter take a devastating turn from being informative to just a mud slinging session. It is very typical of Indians to point the flaws, but I have seen very few resolving ambiguity and conflicts.
Why do we conflict over opinions? Every Indian wants the same basics from their government, whichever candidate or party they may choose. I do not mean to support any party and I personally feel that these opinions should never become a personal agenda for spreading negativity towards anyone. How different are we then, from these politicians who have always intended this polarization for their vote banks. We are giving them what they need, by turning our daily conversations into war zones, over nothing.
Sit back and think, the politicians who claim to be either 'honest', 'industrious' or 'secular' have been attacking each other in the most childish ways possible. Why should we turn into them ?
Having an opinion and supporting the party is one, but limit it to making the right choice or helping someone with information so that he/she may make his /her choice..
Don't bear the cross of the political party on your forehead, spam people's inboxes with defamatory material on the opponents.. Rise above this division they want to create and look beyond.
Governance can change a lot, but for our country, the most important change is to stay united, peaceful and work towards the future we want. After all, we may be divided by opinions, but are surely united by our intent for a progressive future for this country.
