In India, becoming an MLA or MP once has become a guarantee of a lifelong pension, even if their parliamentary record is zero. On the other hand, soldiers deployed on the borders risk their lives every day, but their families struggle to get even the minimum facilities. The question arises—is the patriotism of leaders limited only to speeches and slogans? Why don’t their sons and daughters join the army? If the general public can send their children to serve the country, then leaders should not just ‘vote’ but also ‘sacrifice.’ The time has come to link the pension of leaders with army service—so that patriotism does not remain just a talk on the stage but becomes a true proof of living.
“Give us valour, not pension: The real test of a leader’s patriotism.”
When the emphasis of patriotism starts to dominate the election speeches and the tricolor is seen on every street and intersection, then we should pause and think for whom is this love—for the country or for the chair? Because those who have ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ on their lips all the time, their children study in some international school, work abroad, and never look towards the border even by mistake. But when the same leaders demand sacrifice and renunciation from the public, the soul trembles.
In India, becoming an MLA or MP means, “Retirement is set, brother!” Once you get the chair, you get a lifelong pension, bungalow, security, car, driver, and the title of ‘Honourable’ for free. Even if you have not asked a single question in the Parliament, even if you have just taken a nap during the proceedings of the House, even if the public shows you the way out in the next election—you get a pension for sure!
Have you ever heard that a soldier, who was posted in Siachen and came home in three years, got a lifetime pension? No, right? He has to give an account of every year of service. Even if he is martyred, the files of ‘compensation’ keep moving.
While talking about patriotism, leaders often say, “We are ready to give our lives for the country!” But who is this ‘we’? Where are their children? Why is no ‘honorable son’ posted at the border? Why is there no ‘princess’ in the medical corps? The truth is that these leaders use patriotism as a promotional poster for their political shop, and their children profit from that shop.
If people in the country have to give Aadhaar-OTP for free ration, then there should be a condition for the leader’s pension” too—”Pension will be given only if a member of your family serves in the army.”
Imagine what the scene would be: an MLA’s son’s uniform is being ironed for the first time, an MP’s daughter is wearing boots, and a minister’s grandson is getting training to use weapons. Will their statements not reflect true patriotism then?
The most difficult service in the country—Army service—is performed by children of poor and middle class. Those who have neither Jugaad nor security. They run in recruitment and even die while running. No camera comes, and no channel shows breaking news. On the other hand, if the children of a leader are caught drinking alcohol abroad, even then the leader says, “Son, he has gone astray a bit; now he is sending him to America to study.” Brother, if the punishment for ‘going astray’ is abroad, then why are ‘straightforward’ people punished?
Every time during elections, pictures of the army, stories of soldiers, and tales of bravery are on posters. Every party is ahead in taking credit for the surgical strike, but no one remembers the name of the soldier who lost his life in that operation. Politicians consider the army only as an emotional vote bank—use their uniform when needed, and when you win the election, consider it a crime to even ask about their well-being.
If this patriotism is really from the heart, then instead of a pension, leaders should give a certificate that a member of their family is serving or has served in the army. This should be a new law—not just for the right to a pension, but to give proof of real patriotism.
Once a leader was giving a speech—”If” Pakistan raises its eyes, we will take out its eyes!”
A young man stood up and said, “Sir, which unit is your son in?”
The leader smiled—”He” is studying engineering; he wants to go abroad…”
The public did not laugh; they cried. Because patriotism has now become just a slogan, not a destiny.
If patriotism is limited to speeches only, it becomes a ‘vote bank shop.’ Until the leader and his family live that patriotism, we should not applaud their speeches but raise questions. Leaders need more responsibility than pension, and their children need boot more than speech. Not just the people, but leaders should also give equal to the country, sacrifice, and hard work, and sacrifice.
Patriotism is proved not by speeches but by participation.
Until the children of leaders don the uniform of the army, their words of ‘sacrifice’ ring hollow. Pension should not be an honor; it should be a responsibility, which is given only when the family also joins the national service. The common man’s tax should be stopped from luxuries; now it is the turn for the leaders to also take part, on the border, on the ground, and in responsibility. Otherwise, the public will only keep listening, and the burden of serving the country will be borne by those who have neither power nor identity, only passion.
