How silence muted party cacophony

BANGALORE: Congress and BJP workers raised slogans and almost came to blows on Saturday during The Times of India -Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) interaction between citizens and major candidates in Bangalore South constituency. But Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and activists sat with fingers on their lips, demonstrating the power of silence over the high-decibel noise of raucous rank and file of mainstream parties.
The event, attended by Nandan Nilekani (Congress), HN Ananth Kumar (BJP), Ruth Manorama (JDS) and Nina P Nayak (AAP), was organized to enable voters know their candidates and make an informed choice.
Nina, who led the silent protest, expressed her disappointment and felt parties and leaders have a larger responsibility in ensuring discipline and freedom of expression.
Excerpts:
AAP's silent protest stood out amid the din. Whose idea was it?
I was disturbed, disappointed and sad about the goondaism. Our campaign manager A Janakiram thought up the silent protest. It was to demonstrate the power of silence; it gave us solace. This is the way when you are right.
What were you trying to convey?
We are a democracy and can't tolerate mobocracy. Our message was clear. There's a decent and dignified way to protest and resolve issues.
How do you expect our parliamentarians to behave better when people are intolerant and behave in an unruly manner?
Who created the ruckus? It was the followers of political parties, not the citizens. The audience had to leave disappointed. Many people whom I met on Sunday said they wanted to listen to the candidates and were sad about the turn of events.
How do you ensure better public behavior?
Parties and their leaders should set the standard for good behavior. People follow their leaders. The conduct of the volunteers reflects the ideology and quality of the parties and their leadership. It's time politicians stopped instigating the marginalized sections of the society for their political benefit.
The troublemakers didn't listen to their leaders' appeals...
It showed their true colors. It's a shame.
Can we have a fair and forthright public political debate among candidates?
It was a well-organized event. These kinds of debates and discourses help citizens understand the capability, calibre and commitment of the candidates and make an informed choice. There should be more such events.
Do you think such debates and dialogues have a space in our society?
Our society is mature. Everybody wants development and peace. The poor and the middle class understand and are aware that they shouldn't encourage muscle strength to garner votes. The majority of citizens are well-meaning and genuinely want to participate in the discourse. I think it's time the urban middle class took an active role rather than be mute bystanders.