r2i forum

The following article was in rediff. The author is a well known right winger and sees this conflict thro' his perspective usual.

But, my qn is whether the increasing disparity between the rich and poor with the globalization make the poor to resort to violence. Rich are getting stinking rich in India and around 38% are still below poverty. One day, if a percentage of this 400 million odd people decide to take things into their control and march to Delhi what will happen? Do R2Iers come across hostile attitude from the poor of India?

http://news.rediff.com/column/2010/may/27/lessons-for-india-from-thai-insurgency.htm

My thoughts: (1) This should be in the Politics thread
Thaksin was forced out after winning an election. A compromise candidate replaced him but he too was summarily removed by court order. Shinawatra had popular support among the rural poor and Vejjajiva was seen by the poor as an imposition by the urban elites . Hence the Red Shirts. The political machinery did not function according to the constitution. The rich-poor divide is incidental to the turmoil.
I'd say the same IS happening in the Indian states where the governance is poor and not functioning well. The poor will not revolt as long as there is economic and social mobility and hope ( which comes from the belief that one can get ahead by following the rules). If the dispossessed also feel disenfranchised then all hope is lost.
Right now r2iers are viewed as money bags ready for the shearing like sheep.
The rural poor might have a different view?

ksheer3;292062 The rich-poor divide is incidental to the turmoil.

That is nice to hear.
[quote]
I'd say the same IS happening in the Indian states where the governance is poor and not functioning well. The poor will not revolt as long as there is economic and social mobility and hope ( which comes from the belief that one can get ahead by following the rules). If the dispossessed also feel disenfranchised then all hope is lost.[/quote]

What you say is generally true. But, once the poor get exposed to communist ideas suh as equality inspite of contribution levels, entitlement to riches (Remember MGR's famous movie song in the lines of air is for everyone, light is for everyone...), things can go wrong.

As to rich poor divide, crime rate in relation to money is clear example of revolt by poor. Short of mass murders its already happening in India. I really doubt that lower caste has any capability to revolt against upper caste in India to perform mass killings. Most of them live in villages and are mostly peace loving people. You will really not see that much disparity in villages, where most poor live.

I'm by no means an expert on Indian political situation but my take on the possibility of serious turmoil occurring India is very high unless some serious efforts are made by these spineless politicians in New Delhi.

Look at the train derailment caused by Maoist in WB today. Everyday the Maoists are striking somewhere and killing scores of innocent people and even if they set fire under the bottom of these spineless politicians in New Delhi they won't act.

Who do you think the Maoists are? These are people who aren't able to prosper in a nation that brags about the stupendous economic growth achieved and projects itself to be the next super power. Unless efforts are made put down violence with iron hand and ensure the economic development reaches the downtrodden people of India I'm afraid India is in for serious internal turmoil.

IMO, prospective R2Iers may have to factor in the worsening security situation in India as well in their decision process.