Whenever I feel that the system is at its worst, it manages to bring out a new depth level to amaze me. Last week we had a contractor dig up the roads outside our house making impossible for us to leave. When asked why they didn't inform us the guy nearly came to blows speaking something in Telugu that if I had heard the translation I probably wouldn't want to repeat in front of my grandmother. When told that a complaint would be registered against him he regarded me with contempt and disdain, secure no doubt in the knowledge that the complaint box at the water works department was directly attached to a paper shredder (cross cut, 1/2 hp motor, only Rs2,500 sir!)
So the bottom rung of the government is corrupt, uncaring and broken. Who doesn't know that? Lets make some excuses for them. They are underpaid; the system is such that the contractor has to pay money to get the tender, even if he is the lowest bidder; Labour unions have him over a barrel; The quality assurance inspector demands bribes and doesn't care about the quality of the work etc etc etc.
Today my neighbour has had a run in with the top rung - the leadership. The outcome is much worse.
A car in which the politico (Mr Anon E. Muss) was travelling rammed into my friends car. Reports suggest that said leader's car turned onto the main road and hit my friends car from the side. Immediately after Mr Big Shot jumped out of his car and started abusing my friend. The police were brought in and instructed to hold my friend at the police station for "questioning". His daughter was waiting at the school to be picked up. No matter. Nothing is more important than the wounded pride of a politician. The Police Commissioner was called and directed to detain the driver of the car at the police station. Forget who was at fault. Forget that this was a mere car accident that two ordinary people would resolve by calling their insurance agent. Forget the terrorism red alert, the real criminals. Spend the energy of the police force to teach the common man a lesson. Or rather to forget one. The one about Government - For, Of and By the people.
He will now be booked u/s 279 IPC for rash and negligent driving on the word of a fine upstanding member of society.
What excuses to make for Anon E. Muss? That he wasn't hugged as a child? That he has a morbid fear of cars? That he doesn't have car insurance?
This is nothing but a naked display of power and arrogance. While I certainly didn't expect fairness - this unwarranted aggression has left me very disturbed. This after all could happen to anyone. Any stupid ordinary common man.
Perhaps we do need a security cover and pilot cars for all our politicians - to protect us from them.
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