By Raj Lakshmi Dube
I Protest
- Against the freebies announced before elections to garner votes by political parties. Where do all these gifts come from? From the taxes paid by the salaried class—income tax, GST, sales tax, tax on fuel, service tax in restaurants, and numerous other indirect taxes.
The rich and super-rich businessmen increase the prices of their products or reduce their sizes. Their bank loans are written off, and they continue their luxurious lifestyles. Meanwhile, the poor are offered freebies—free electricity, free water, free education, free rations, and monthly handouts. Why work when the whole family is receiving cash in their accounts? Just sit at home, lazier than ever. But who foots the bill? Every political party is competing to offer more than the other to secure votes. What happens to the honest, tax-paying middle class? They are forced to cut down on expenses—perhaps buying a cheaper dress for their child’s birthday, eating out less frequently, and sacrificing non-essentials to fund the government’s extravagant expenditure.
What are the consequences? Sri Lanka serves as a classic example of corruption and mismanagement. A generation of lazy youth emerged, and the country became bankrupt. Excessive freebies directly impact the fiscal deficit, as seen in Himachal Pradesh, which struggled even to pay government employees. Many Indian states are making the same mistake, prioritising vote banks over economic stability. The solution is not to give away free goods but to encourage citizens to contribute to the economy. In Sri Lanka, tax cuts were part of election promises, leading to more outflow than inflow in the treasury. Later, citizens had to pay exorbitant prices for essentials like bread, milk, pulses, and fuel. It was a disaster for the common man.
Please stop freebies.
- Against VIP culture. Who are the VIPs? Those voted into power by the common person and so-called public servants.
If a person is rushing to a hospital in a private car, they must still give way to a “lal batti” vehicle, even if the VIP is merely on a leisure trip. Why? What happened in Prayagraj Kumbh? Forty-nine people lost their lives because a road was reserved for VIPs, forcing millions of common devotees to squeeze through a single narrow road. The crowd pressure broke the barriers, crushing those who lay sleeping on the other side.
A colleague of mine once stopped at a red traffic light. He was ahead of a VIP vehicle that had to pass, violating all traffic rules. He was fined. If you point out the injustice, you get berated. If you jump the red light, you get fined.
I protest.
- Against the destruction of forests and wildlife in the name of development.
Look at what happened to the hills from Mohund to Asharodi at the entrance and exit of the Doon Valley. A whole mountainside has been cut down to create a shortcut to the city. Innumerable trees have been felled. The very hills where I once saw leopards and even a tiger at midnight have now disappeared. We are destroying their habitat.
Why reduce the distance—at what cost? If a city is far, it is far. The serenity is lost; property prices have skyrocketed as people from polluted cities rush to settle in the foothills. Malls and multi-storied apartments have sprung up, raising AQI levels and causing traffic congestion—an issue unheard of in the Doon Valley.
Dehradun is located in an earthquake-prone zone. A major earthquake is long overdue. What happens then? Widespread destruction and innumerable lives lost. But who cares? The developers mint money, and the authorities get their share.
I protest.
- Against the choking of rivers by slums and shanties.
These settlements pollute streams and block river flow with household garbage. Why were they allowed to settle near rivers in the first place? Why can’t the rivers be cleaned once and for all, with strict laws against encroachments? It seems builders bring in cheap labour from neighbouring states for construction projects, and once these projects are completed, the labourers stay back, forming slums near the streams. The sight alone is enough to make one hold one’s nose.
Dehradun, once a beautiful town filled with streams, canals, and rivers, has now turned into a city of traffic jams and slum clusters.
But who cares?
I protest.
- Against roadside trash.
No matter where one travels, if there is an eatery, there is bound to be garbage dumped down the hillside—polythene bags, empty snack packets, and rotting food. How many cows have fallen sick from ingesting polythene? How many accidents have occurred due to stray dogs and cattle?
India, a country that worships cows, has left its strays to fend for themselves. Look at the condition of the cows along Sahastradhara Road and elsewhere in the city. No care. No concern.
I protest.
- Against unnecessary and wasteful expenditure by the MDDA.
First, boundary walls were painted in multiple colours. Then, small pillars were installed close to the roadside, now painted yellow and white. Their purpose? Unknown. They only block parking spaces.
Except for malls and newly constructed complexes, there are no designated parking spaces. So, where do people park? On the roadside, narrowing the driving space and increasing accident risks. The irony? Display boards declaring ‘No Parking within 100 metres’ are repeated endlessly down the same road.
A classic example is the State Bank of India, Jakhan branch. No parking is allowed, and cars cannot enter the premises. So where do senior citizens park when they visit the bank? But who cares?
I protest.
- Against leaders who encourage population growth.
India has the highest population in the world. Our landmass is three times smaller than the US, yet our population is four times larger. Do we have the natural resources to sustain this growth? How long will our water last? Glaciers are shrinking due to global warming, and agriculture depends on seasonal rains. Where will our food come from?
Is this a competition between communities to increase numbers? Where are we heading?
I protest.
I am sure my concerns resonate with any rational, thinking individual. Will those in power heed this wake-up call or continue their policy of appeasement?
This Is A Wake-Up Call.
