The Bhopal gas tragedy occured 25 years ago. Till date literally no one in India knew
the name of Anderson. But just as the time a verdict has been announced by the court, the
next day every child in the country is talking about bringing back Anderson. The influencial
Mr. Anderson of the United States stands at the risk of being extradited at the age
of 88 what he successfully avoided at 63. The reason is
one and only one; the advent of electronic media. The scores of independent TV channels
and websites make sure that there is no place to hide anything wrong now. But the situation was
not anywhere close to this 25 years back. Internet was simply not there and there used
to be one and only one TV channel in the name of media; the good old 'Doordarshan',
the mouth-piece of the respective Governments. There was a 20 minutes program called
'The News' at 9 PM, in which, I am talking particularly of 1884-1989 era, the
praises of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi for the first 18 minutes and wheather report (guesses)
for the remaining 2 minutes. Yes, the newspapers were there but each
one of them had it's own priorities and the public had no choice but to read them and trust
them blindly. The public had no say in it whatsoever and it's role was limited
to some odd 'letters to the editor' at the most, which were published at the
mercy of the editor. Now every individual has the liberty to write views in any of the
immunmerous blogs and so no question of missing any detail of the matter.
The first two pillars of democracy i.e., the Lagislature and the Executive have
failed the nation mostly, so much so that it could have collapsed decades ago.
The third pillar, Judiciary has always prevented it from doing so. But it had
it's constitutional limitations. The people who all matter in a democracy, were
left out of everything and the democracy was going somewhat 'sick' if not dead.
Now our experience tells us to change the text books and induct media as the
'Fourth pillar of democracy' officially. It deserves so, because according
to our perception, it is emerging as 'the strongest' pillar as it involves
the people as a whole and the 'will' of the people is what is known as democracy.
Agree?
So people, enjoy your freedom in the second decade of 21st century
and express yourself freely.
Bhopal tragedy; was it man-made?....Read more about Bhopal tragedy