I appreciate your concern. I did not for a moment doubt your intent. Even I am sick of these politicos. But, we need to understand how things can be changed. The rally that is being planned threatens that we will not vote if the demands are not met. Honestly, the politicians won’t even care. How many people will turn up for the rally? A few thousands at the most. This movement will eventually fizzle out.

What the dim-wits who thought up this protest rally are suggesting is that we should bring about change by not participating in the system. That’s wrong. The whole system is rotten and the only way things are going to change is if we get involved in the system.

I don’t know what exactly people will be doing in these protests, but there is a way that this rally can still be used to good effect. We need to form pressure groups. Groups which will use tools like the RTI to really get the civic officials and the politicians sweating. Many RTI activists are around, but they are mostly alone and they do not have the support they need in the event that they get harassed by the information officers. Pressure groups could work in such a scenario. These pressure groups can be formed during the protest rallies. I am sure many will sign up.

As Chintam suggested, we also need to get involved in politics. Sure, starting a political party is way too difficult, but there are a few good ones out there already. One such political party is the one started by Arun Bhatia, a former IAS officer. The dude’s awesome. He was once posted as a Municipal Commissioner in Pune, and he started massive anti-encroachment drives. He was finally transferred because political pressure didn’t seem to work on him. We need leaders like him.

His party is called the People’s Guardian Party, and you can visit its website here: http://www.arunbhatiaelect.org/

This party is currently concentrating exclusively on Pune, but if many people start showing interest in it, I am sure they will expand it sooner. There may be more such political parties out there, but this is the only one I know well enough.

There are many more ways to bring about change. I wish all those who will be attending these protest rallies good luck. Let’s hope something good comes out of it.

It doesn’t take ages to nurture the new generation entering politics, i can wait that long (20 yrs or so) and would hope to live to see the change. That is ONLY HOPE i’ve got. When they come as BIG force, these dirty politicians would, i’m sure, automatically get swept away. We have already lot of bright indians choosing to join IAS/IPS with a view to serving the Nation, all those should be aiming for the next level up. They are so bright that they can learn what ever necessary to bring them up to speed for becoming an able politician who are well equipped with knowledge and brains for making the right decisions at the right time, for the well being of the Nation.

Its time we used th only weapon we had in our hands (our votes) to set things right.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. There is no right or wrong way as long as everything merges at the single goal.

I respect you, but I must say that this whole campaign asking people not to vote is flawed. Rule 49-O has no provisions for a re-poll. Besides, when you cast a negative vote, all the officers in the polling booth come to know of it. You have to declare that you want to cast a negative vote. This goes against the very concept of “secret ballot”.

So, by trying to convince people not to vote, you are actually killing democracy. You people should first campaign to get Rule 49-O amended. In its current form, it is useless. Most of the people who are going to participate in these rallies are upper-middle class folks who have never actively engaged in mainstream politics. The voting percentages in urban areas are proof enough of that. I wonder why all of them are suddenly awakening now. Is it because they have now realised that even their homes too are not safe anymore?

By carrying out “Do Not Vote” campaigns, you are proving that you are no better than the Kashmiri separatists.

This gives hope.