CSO leaders enticed into electoral politics
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 30, 2021 -

CONSIDERING the mainly negative narrative against the political class, it is indeed worth pondering why increasing number of civil society leaders are joining the electoral politics, ultimate objective of which is to exercise power and accumulate wealth, especially in the context of Manipur.

In an ethnically diverse and divided state like Manipur, civil societies have been acting as the voice and guardians of the deprived population apart from exposing flaws in governance and lack of compassion of the ruling elite to address the plight of the commoners.

For decades, many civil society organisations, including human rights bodies, have been the crucial link in creating awareness among the masses by propagating the ideals and significance of communal harmony, respecting differences in socio-political aspirations of the different communities and re-visiting the rich heritage of Manipur.

Among other activities, the role of civil societies in spearheading the fight against political and military injustices has been winning the trust of the masses and every deprived section of the society look upon leaders of civil bodies to protect their rights.

For instance, the on-going investigation into alleged fake encounter killings and atrocities committed by security forces under the garb of counter insurgency operation, as per the directive of Supreme Court of India, could be attributed to the public uprising involving civil societies and sustained endeavour of rights organisations to deliver justice to the victim parties as well as expose misuse of constitutional power by government agencies, thereby proving importance of civil societies in fighting flawed system.

Moreover, existence of large number of civil societies in the state underscores that they have been able to help people whose needs are ignored and who lack resources to help themselves.

As such, there is substance in the observation given by Irabot Foundation Manipur president Th Ajit during Thursday's death anniversary observance of 'Father of Social Worker' Th Iboyaima, that civil society leaders shouldn't join electoral politics.

As individuals associated with major civil societies gain prominence and command respect of the people for taking up the fight against injustice and mis-governance, it is obvious that when such leaders join electoral politics and aspire to become a part of system against which he/she had campaigned, then the public would suspect that the civil movements were being deceivingly used as the platform to enhance one's profile for reaching his/her ultimate goal of wresting political powers and live life with worldly comforts.

Proactive involvement in public movement might have helped the civil society leaders to rub shoulders with those in power and eventually enticed them to be a part of the system that has unarguably not been able to live up to the people's expectation.

Thus, at this time of rising economic inequality, increasing concentrations of corporate power, and instances of political repression, it is essential that civil societies continue to prove themselves to be a useful and motivational device in advancing the masses' understanding of key social and political issues, and in channelling their energy into action, rather than the CSO leaders taking the people for a ride.