Chowrangi

President Musharraf’s Wednesday speech was yet another irrefutable proof of a squared-off Election Commission (EC). It was announced one day before that President would address to nation in evening on 2nd January, while the EC was still “consulting” the political parties about the deferment of general polls. On 2nd January, just after noon, EC announced the postponement of elections, and in the evening President endorsed, supported and defended the EC announcement.

But why should we complain to President Pervez Musharraf? Election is strictly a democratic process, so why should we mourn, when one more democratic process has been suspended for some more weeks? This decision of the state shows their lack of confidence in the democracy and its proceedings.

Democracy is not fragile, and it’s not brittle. Democracy is not a weak notion. It hasn’t flourished and thrived doesn’t mean that there is a problem with the concept itself, its the problem with the people. Like any bigger reward, democracy demands strive and sacrifice, and it demands lots of them. Democracy is not a like a slender midget, its a genie who has to be enclosed the jar with lots of effort.

It’s understandable and was expected from the present regime to not to hold elections on January 8, as they are not aware of democratic values, and they have their own version of democracy for the people of this country, who has become accustomed of watching democracy being ridiculed every after 3 or so years. How could we even expect them to test the strength of democracy by holding elections on the scheduled date?

Test of democracy is how resilient it proves when skies threaten it most. Look at Pakistan, who has spent most of its time since its inception in 1947 under the dictatorship of despots time and again, and yet it’s people love anyone who raises his or her voice for the democracy. They even tend to ignore the glaring flaws in such persons, if they represent democracy. They even become ready to vote for these forces time and again, despite of knowing that they did very little to boost democracy last time when they were in the office.

Why People of Pakistan love Justice Iftikhar, Aitezaz Ahsan and the lawyer movement? Simply, because they want true democracy. Why the movement is still not gaining momentum and shackles are still there? Because people are not striving and sacrificing what it takes.

Other posts by Commoner

• Israeli Massacre Goes On - January 7th, 2009
• Gilani's Fight - January 7th, 2009
• Unfortunate Remarks - January 6th, 2009
• Collective Urgency - January 6th, 2009
• Dismal Performance, Huge Rewards - January 5th, 2009
• Blood in Gaza - January 4th, 2009
• Troops Movement Should be Halted - January 3rd, 2009
• Reconciliation Joke - January 3rd, 2009
• Bent on War - January 3rd, 2009
• Attack on the Victim - January 2nd, 2009