EASIER TO PREACH THAT TO PRACTICE FOR PM: BHAI DINESH

EASIER TO PREACH THAT TO PRACTICE FOR PM: BHAI DINESH

11-MAY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------Prime Minister, before preaching the virtues of sacrifice and frugality to the citizens of this country, please provide an explanation regarding your government's policies and double standards.

The Prime Minister advises, "Do not buy gold; conserve diesel and petrol; travel by Metro and train." However, the nation is asking: why is it always the common people who are expected to make the sacrifices?

If diesel, petrol, and gas can be procured from Iran at affordable rates, why is the Government of India purchasing oil and gas from other nations at exorbitant prices? Under whose pressure, exactly, is the burden of inflation being imposed upon the public?

The most critical question is this: The Honorable Prime Minister serves as the Prime Minister of the entire nation, not merely of a single political party. Why, then, when he delivers a message to the citizens, are party symbols and political propaganda prominently displayed both before and after his address? Has the distinction between official government communication and partisan political campaigning been completely erased?

*   Why preach frugality to the public while the government itself indulges in wasteful expenditure amounting to crores? •   Why does the Prime Minister—who frequently delivers speeches against corruption—appoint leaders facing serious allegations as Ministers and Chief Ministers? •   Why are power and patronage being extended to individuals who employ inflammatory rhetoric and sow seeds of hatred within society? •   Why is the tax burden on the public being increased instead of reducing the prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas? •   Why are official government programs being repurposed as vehicles for partisan political campaigning?

Today, farmers are in distress, the youth are unemployed, and the poor and middle classes are reeling under the burden of inflation. What the nation needs is not rhetoric, but relief. The public requires not sermons, but affordable petrol, diesel, and gas, along with employment opportunities and accountability.