Ask any person you meet on street on their belief in political leaders and 99% of the public would say corrupt! Amusing though, even political leaders carry that conviction. 1% of public that may say ‘My Leader’ would be youth living in the same phase of life lived by most of us, wherein we studied the history of sacrifice of our freedom struggle leaders and believed in inner good existing in their successors.

It’s worth a thought, why citizens of India, being largely spiritual and believing in goodness of Almighty, do coexist passively with such negative vibes in society? As true Indians, responsible citizens tend to vent their need for change through non-violent modes as movies, literature etc. It’s in this light that we should view the monotony of Bollywood themes of ultimate triumph of good over evil in a much more sympathetically.

It is in this light that we should explore the history of civilization in India for remedy for the present ills of our society. History shows that people in India always encouraged a leader to rise amongst them to guide and lead them. Examples are the long list of kings and rulers who ruled patches of land to vast empires all over the Indian continent.

Present day examples are seen in the multitudes flocking to religious leaders, political leaders and ready to mob, lynch irrespective of their personal beliefs, upon words of their leaders. Recent example is followers of Thackeray Jr. How many of those persons, seen on TV ransacking shops and beating helpless people, would have harboured ill will to non-Maharashtrians, to this extend of hatred, before? Or would the male and female members of Gujarat society, who actively participate in the riots, would have engaged thus for personal grudges?

Ever wondered, what does the leader do in return for such loyalty from followers? Justice! Religious leaders deliver justice to the spiritual souls of believers, making them at peace for personal benefits and repentance for wrongs. Political leaders resolve injustice melted to their followers by swift retaliation using powers vested on him. This is essentially the basic reason why Indians lived in, favouring rule by Kings, through centuries of Indian history. Justice was swift under a king’s rule and people felt comfortable in easy access and speed of delivering justice than its quality.

Sadly with the advent of democracy the leadership expected from the multitudes got divided into wings of administration as the judiciary, the executive and the legislature. And wherever powers of one wings were found wanting, people flocked to the other where they could get more than what they bargained for. It is in this light that we should view the rise of judicial activism, people mobbing to stop removal of exemplary IAS/IPS officers and political activists ready to burn themselves for their leaders.