Diwali Under New Management: Celebrating the “Triumph” of Selective Goodness

 

Diwali Under New Management: Celebrating the “Triumph” of Selective Goodness

Wow Diwali Celebration

Diwali is upon us, folks! Time to bring Ram back home after his legendary exile, light up our homes, and exchange sweets with friends and neighbors—well, as long as they belong to the right crowd. Who needs that old-fashioned, inclusive kindness anyway? Because, in case you missed it, India got its “rebirth” in 2014, and since then, we’ve redefined what it means to be “civilized.” A little hint: it’s about selective goodness, not the universal kind. Our new Ram isn’t the old idealistic one; he’s the one gracing the banners in Ayodhya, right there beside the ruling leader's larger-than-life photograph.

Now, Diwali wouldn’t be complete without our annual contribution to the smog blanket, right? But, shockingly, some people are dialing back on the fireworks. Why? Science finally convinced them that breathing might actually be a necessity! Imagine that—realizing pollution is dangerous only after scientists draw us a picture. But it’s fine; we’ve still got plenty of smoke, only now, it’s not just from crackers. It’s from the smokescreen over our democracy.

This Diwali is about “the triumph of good over evil,” but oh, did someone rewrite that plotline this year? Haryana’s recent elections were supposed to be an honest-to-goodness celebration of democracy. You know, the “people’s voice” and all that. But look who walked out with the garland this time—the folks who rewrote the rulebook. Turns out, democracy has been rebranded as a magic trick where the “correct” winner appears every single time. Call it the marvels of modern governance!

And yes, I hear the chorus already: “Losers always whine about the referee!” But this isn’t about sour grapes; it’s about the Election Commission of India, the very board assembled with great care by the powers that be, pulling every trick to ensure the desired outcome. Transparency? Accountability? Pardon the old-fashioned concepts! The new Diwali vibe is all about “efficiency,” complete with a sprinkle of secrecy to keep things spicy.

Now, let’s not forget our Chief Justice of India (CJI), the grand overseer of justice. You’d think with democracy gasping for air, he might jump in, right? But this year, he’s chosen to be the quiet observer, perhaps even citing “mental health” as a reason to avoid any bold moves. It’s a tough job, defending the Constitution and all, especially when it involves taking a stand for, you know, the people. But fret not—if there’s one thing this CJI has mastered, it’s blending into the background while the nation’s democratic pulse flatlines.

This year, Diwali feels a bit... off, doesn’t it? While we light up our homes and gather around for the annual ritual, a creeping shadow hangs overhead. Our democracy, once a beacon of light, now flickers like an old bulb. And while notorious figures from behind bars threaten citizens with full impunity, we’re left wondering if we’re celebrating Ram’s homecoming or Ravana’s resurgence. With each passing day, our government’s resemblance to an organized syndicate becomes more pronounced. Who could have guessed democracy would one day be this “innovative”?

So, here’s to this Diwali—a festival “under new management,” where the real glow isn’t in the divas but in the smug, unchallenged smiles of those who pull the strings. And as we contemplate Ram’s triumph over evil, maybe it’s time to ask ourselves: are we doing enough to keep that “evil” in check? Are we going to let this Diwali mark the dawn of a new era of shadow politics? Or will we finally find the resolve to reclaim our democracy, ensuring that next Diwali stands for what Ram truly represented?

This year, let’s light a Diya not just for tradition but as a rallying cry against the darkness creeping over our land. If we don’t, this ominous shadow might become our new normal, and Diwali—our beloved festival of light—may end up being nothing more than a glittering facade over a nation lost in its own distress.