We all get blown away by the luring speeches of politicians. Whether they are promises of jobs, health or the infamous assurance of ‘bringing back the black money’ campaign, we get carried away easily. Aaj Ka MLA Ram Avtar, a Bollywood movie that was released in 1984 with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, speaks of the value of our votes.
In a momentous speech at the climax, Ram Avtar (Rajesh Khanna) points out what lacks in our democracy and what does it really mean. He says that those who sell their votes are equally corrupt as those who buy them. When he points out that Indian public usually claps for bombastic speeches and unrealistic promises, it seems he is addressing Aaj ka (today’s) voter.
He says, “Hamare desh mein samajwad kahan hai … hamare desh mein toh afsarwad hai, jaat-paatwad hai, kursiwad hai … arre samajwad toh tab aayega jab aap apne vote ki taqat mehsoos karenge. (We don’t have a socialism in our country, we believe in official powers, political power and caste-based supremacy).”
Watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPnOpuUuIAU