In a stirring speech and interview with Dinamalar, Advocate Priyadharshni Rahul challenges the common perception that politics is a "dirty business" meant to be avoided by educated professionals. She argues that for politics to truly evolve, it needs the structure, timelines, and accountability that professionals—doctors, lawyers, engineers, and skilled communicators—bring to any field.
Priyadharshni traces the roots of Indian political ethics back to the concept of Dharma and Artha Shastra, reminding the audience that leadership was historically grounded in moral principles. She notes a decline between 1960 and the late 90s, where politics became synonymous with nepotism and family-centric power, leading to a general public apathy. However, she believes the digital age has provided a platform for the public to once again ask critical questions.
A significant portion of her talk is dedicated to the youth and first-time voters. She warns against the "robotic" consumption of social media, where decisions are made based on viral reels rather than research. She shares her personal background in NCC and Scouts & Guides to emphasize that patriotism and professional discipline are the twin engines of a healthy democracy.
She also highlights instances of political maturity across party lines, such as the seamless transition of the Pokhran project between the Narasimha Rao and Vajpayee governments, to prove that nation-building stays above party politics. Her concluding message is a mandate for every citizen: do not just be a silent observer. Whether it is entering politics or simply being a discerning voter, the responsibility of preserving India's democratic legacy lies with the educated and the ethical.
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