Good governance has been made out to be totally in the lap of governments, forgetting the extent to which the masses are indulging in various acts placing hurdles in government’s path.  The long-drawn freedom struggle, specially that part of the movement towards its closing stages, is highlighted for the leaders adhering to non-violence and non-cooperation with the government under colonial rule. Public speakers addressing large gatherings on occasions such as Independence Day and Republic Day make it a point to remind their listeners about the magic that non-cooperation in particular and non-violence to some extent worked well in the land securing freedom from colonial rule. Looking back, barring in some pockets of the land’s social life, the masses are merrily indulging in violent acts in pursuit of causes posing insurmountable challenge to the administration, apart from displaying unbridled uncooperative behaviour in the matter of complying with the land’s laws.

Even as the dream of self-rule under a well-oiled democratic system providing good governance stands vanished into thin air, we can hear voices of that honourable fraternity of freedom-fighters expressing regret for having taken active part in the action, making sacrifices of their avenues of leading life of comfort. The uncooperative masses staging violent behaviour don’t seem to have the frame of mind to mend their ways.

Framing Acts and related laws, ostensibly to sustain an orderly society in the land, has proved to be a losing game for administrations at national, regional and also local levels, given the majority in the population violating the laws with gay abandon, keeping the law-keepers on their toes and the judiciary choked. Needless to remark that the sharks are unfazed by being nabbed and reported upon in the media, even as it is common knowledge that they are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. As for the sundry violators of laws, such as compulsorily wearing helmet while riding two-wheelers, they are quite comfortable shelling out the prescribed fines whenever falling into the Police net.

The corner stones of self-rule to ensure good governance, namely a) Leaders of unquestionable integrity in public life and b) population sticking to a regimen of discipline, cooperating in implementation of the land’s laws are nowhere to be found. Only foundation stones laid by Ministers remain as rubble for future generations to give them the treatment they deserve.