by Shalini Gupta
The term "aam aadmi" has been used in common Hindi parlance for a long time to refer to the common man. But never before has this term been used with such frequency and passion as in the past year as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was launched in November, 2012. One can almost claim that the AAP has copyrighted this commonly used phrase - "aam aadmi".
Born out of the frustration that the common citizen felt at being marginalized in Indian politics, AAP channelled the anger of the "aam aadmi" to overthrow a corrupt political system in Delhi. On 28 December, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi.
The oath taking ceremony took place at the Ramlila Maidan, where the aam aadmi's anti-corruption battle first started with Anna Hazare's fast in 2011. This was the people's celebration, attended by over 2 lakh "aam aadmi" and "aam aurats" from all over Delhi and other States.
Has Kejriwal ceased to be an aam aadmi? PTI
Promise of Simplicity
Arvind Kejriwal and his team of ministers arrived at the venue in the style of the "aam aadmi" using public transportation (metro). In his speech Kejriwal talked about his 17 promises to the citizens of Delhi. The first was to get rid of the VIP culture in politics. He renounced the lavish and opulent lifestyles enjoyed by most political leaders in India like red beacon cars, extra security, opulent bungalows for himself and his MLAs, and he promised to live simply as an aam aadmi and serve the people.
An electorate that was furious with the pomp and splendour in the lives of its elected representatives, while common citizens struggled for even the most basic necessities like water and electricity, loved this gesture. It made AAP stand apart from all other political parties. This was in stark contrast to reports of ministers from one state or another making lavish trips abroad that masqueraded as "study leaves", at huge taxpayer expense.
Who is the Aam Aadmi?
The "aam aadmi" was in power for the first time in India's political history. He wanted to change the system, he needed to get into power to do that, and now he was in. Did that now make him a "khaas aadmi"?
To answer this question, let's examine the definition of "aam" and "khaas" aadmi. For most people, the term "aam aadmi" refers to the common man, the average citizen. The line that separates the "aam" and "khaas" distinguishes the "many" from the "few". Some further associate this term with class or income status. "Aam aadmi" describes the economic status of the majority of the population. What is the income level for the cut-off? What other characteristics fit this profile? Type of housing? Would you stop being an "aam aadmi" if you moved up the income profile or type of housing? People using purely economic criterion to define the "aam aadmi" would say yes.
What criterion other than economic status is used to distinguish the "aam" from "khaas", the "many" from the "few", the "common" from the uncommon"? Can power, prestige, or even personal characteristics be used? .
Khaas Aadmi in Aam Aadmi Party
With AAP's growing popularity across the country, many prominent and successful individuals from industry and politics are leaving high profile jobs to join the party. Some AAP supporters have created a hue and cry about opening the door for such people, whom they perceive as "khaas aadmi".
According to them, this party is the exclusive domain of the common man. If you are a successful person, you cannot be an "aam aadmi" because an "aam aadmi" is not successful. If you are a prominent person you cannot be an "aam aadmi" because an "aam aadmi" is not famous.
Desirable personal characteristics that are relatively rare, harder to achieve and therefore uncommon, can also fall in this category. Some people define the "khaas aadmi" as that person who has certain personal characteristics that are extremely rare.
Recently, Arvind Kejriwal has thrown a new twist in this definition. In his speech in the Delhi assembly, he said that whoever is clean and supports anti-corruption is an "aam aadmi", and those that support corruption are "khaas aadmi". Assuming that most people are clean and not corrupt, this definition does separate the "many" from the "few". However, it creates a new dilemma. Typically we have defined "khaas" as that which is more desirable and exalted.
Kejriwal's new definition of "khaas aadmi" flips that notion on its head. But it does address the concerns of the wealthy, successful and prominent, who may have wondered if there was space for them in this new party of aam aadmis. Kejriwal invites them in so long as they are clean and support the AAP agenda.
Living like Aam Aadmi
In the midst of this continuing debate of the common and the uncommon, another controversy erupted when media reported that Arvind Kejriwal would be shifting his residence to a five bedroom flat in Delhi. The Opposition accused AAP of moving away from their promise of simplicity.
Kejriwal said in his defence that he had not gone back on any promise. AAP had promised that its elected representatives would not take any government housing if they had their own residence in Delhi. Since Kejriwal does not have his own house in Delhi, he was entitled to take a government house. Moreover, the flat he was getting on a 500 sq. yards plot was far less luxurious than the posh Lutyens bungalow on a sprawling 3 acre plot (15000 sq. yards) that the previous chief minister Sheila Dixit lived in.
Now the million dollar question is, what type of housing would be classified as "aam aadmi" housing? When Kejriwal lived in a 4-bedroom government flat he was admired for living in simplicity and with austerity. The proposed move to a 5 bedroom flat was attacked as reneging on his promise. Does the addition of one extra bedroom take you over the threshold from need to luxury? To put this matter to rest, Kejriwal has asked the government to look for a smaller house. The question remains, what size flat would be perceived as suitable for an "aam aadmi" Chief Minister and allow him to fulfil his obligations with speed and efficiency?
Inner Tension: Aam Aadmi vs. Khaas Aadmi
Exploring the aam/khaas dilemma one wonders, who do people admire more? Does the "aam aadmi" only relate to and admire "another aam aadmi" or is the opposite sometimes true? Else, how would you explain the fascination with film stars, the highly successful and the very rich? How come there are magazines that focus on the lives of the rich and famous that are read by millions of people? How would you explain the rush to get the autographs or photographs of such people?
On further rumination one also questions, who do people want to be like? Do not most people desire to stand out from the crowd, to be exceptional, in other words, to become a "khaas aadmi"? One could say that his is a pervasive human need.
This is what motivates people to climb mountains, earn Olympic medals and win awards. This tension exists in all of us. On the one hand we love the "aam aadmi", people who are like us, and we can relate to. On the other hand we look up to and admire the "khaas aadmi" who evokes in us admiration, and a desire to want to be like them. This is a basic existential tension that pulls us in opposite directions.
Little wonder that we get confused on how to react to an "aam aadmi" like Arvind Kejriwal. For many admirers, he was a "khaas aadmi" even before he became the Chief Minister of Delhi. For them, the yardstick that differentiates "aam" and "khaas" is not wealth or power, but personal characteristics. For them, Kejriwal's competence, integrity and spirit of service made him stand apart from others. Others who use power as a yardstick for differentiation, would classify him as a "khaas aadmi" now that he has official power. However, many supporters would maintain that his simplicity and down to earth mannerisms will always make him an "aam aadmi" to them, whether he lives in a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom flat.
The debate on who is an "aam aadmi" will continue, as people will use different criteria to make that distinction. Economic status, prominence, success, power or even personal characteristics can be used to draw the line. In addition, there will always be an internal ambivalence in people, a tension that pulls them in opposite directions, draws them to the "aam" and the "khaas", simultaneously.
Shalini Gupta is an Organization Development Consultant in Chicago, and is the coordinator of the AAP Global NRI supporter group.
No comments:
Post a Comment