Democrats not friendly to our democracy.

Bad news for the residents of Delhi. The government is going into ' overdrive ' to ensure the security of Barack Obama during his visit for the Republic Day celebrations. At least 10,000 paramilitary troops will reinforce 80,000 Delhi Police, which means the entire force, to guard just one person. The center of Delhi will be cordoned off for days as the fellows practice how not to fall over as they keep barging into each other. There will be massive traffic jams as the center and north of Delhi are cut off from the south, causing people to miss their trains, to be late for work, unless they start at dawn, and patients to die because they could not reach hospital in time, as has happened many times before. However, since we have invited Obama then the onus is on us to ensure his safety, regardless of the cost or inconvenience. The point is whether such a march-past is justified, or even decent, in a democracy. March pasts are reminiscent of Nazi Germany and Russia during the Soviet Union, when photographs were keenly analysed to see who was still in favor and who had been purged. Today North Korea still holds such parades as does China. When we keep shouting from the rooftops that we are the largest democracy in the world does it behove us to be seen in such company? And why on Rajpath, in the center of Delhi? We know that Delhi is the capital of India and that the Rajpath leads from India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President resides, but it was built by the British for the then Governor and is thus a reminder of the centuries we spent as slaves to the British, and the Moguls before them. Should our politicians be celebrating a republic by disrupting the lives of 25 million people, crammed into this city, by showing that they are our new masters and that we are still not really free? Apparently, US Secret Service personnel will take control of nearby high rise buildings, such as North and South Blocks, Rail Bhavan, Vayu Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan and Jawahar Bhavan, all of which house ministries of the central government, and Indians will not be allowed in there. Which means that our sovereignty will be handed over to the Americans for a couple of days. Wonderful. And what do we stand to gain from such servile generosity? What gifts does this Obama come bearing for us? His last 6 years in office have not been exactly friendly. His administration has constantly griped about our patent laws and tried to restrict our IT companies while supplying sophisticated weapons to Pakistan, with which to kill Indians. Bill Clinton imposed sanctions on India while turning a blind eye to Pakistan's nuclear program. Bush got rid of them and signed the nuclear treaty with us. Republicans have been better for us than Democrats. Is it likely to change? We shall see.