In every revolution, the following are the main characters
1) Atyachari – The Tyrant
2) Krantikari – The Revolutionary
3) Dandadhikari – The Judge
4) Adhikari – The Official
5) Vyapari – The Businessman
6) Bhikari – The Beggar
Every revolution is said to be a fight between the tyrant and the revolutionary. Every revolution is said to be for the benefit of the greater good. Every revolution is said to be an expression for truth and justice. But is it really so?
In any society, where people of different abilities and wants live, there will always be some friction. This friction is good as it helps the individual and society evolve. If the friction affects someone badly, there are structures in society that resolve the friction. This is where the Judge and the Official come in play. As long as they perform their role properly, society moves along.
The problem starts when this friction is not resolved, this causes dis-satisfaction among the people. A few isolated incidents do not matter but sooner rather than later, they build up to a tipping point. The failure of the Judiciary and the Bureaucracy (either corruption or incompetence or both) is what lays the groundwork for the start of a revolution.
As anger builds up, it is directed against the ruler (elected or monarchy). The Judge and the Official are generally faceless and nameless, it’s the ruler who is the face of governance in a society and thus gets the label of The Tyrant.
The youth of the society, in their idealism, cannot stand the injustice, so they start protesting against it. A youth is one who is full of idealism. When life teaches you lessons over the years, idealism changes to realism. The smart become pragmatic, the rest become cynical. But until that happens, the youth remain idealistic and impressionable.
The Businessman in his search for a quick and large profit, realises the opportunity in this. He supports the disgruntled youth financially. This is where the Revolutionary is born. The Revolutionary may think he is free and independent and whatever but in reality he has become the puppet of the Businessman.
The Businessman then links up with the Judge and the Official, to fan the flames of anger and start disruptions in society. And thus starts the first stage of the revolution – justified or not.
Society thrives when every individual in it, contributes. The Beggar is a person who feels that society has not been fair on him and thus is always seeking more for nothing in return. The Beggar in his quest for alms and freebies, supports anyone who gives him those.
The Businessman then starts giving small freebies to the Beggar, whenever the Beggar shows up in support of the Revolutionary. Now the crowds build around the Revolutionary and thus starts the second stage of the revolution.
The Ruler is aware of what’s happening but he cannot do anything as the Judge and the Official are compromised. Every corrective action decided by the Ruler is either ignored or mis-implemented. This further leads to more strife.
The Businessman then ups the game. He arranges for sabotage of facilities and killing of innocents and blames the Ruler. The inevitable crackdown comes, the Ruler becomes the Tyrant and thus starts the third stage of the revolution.
Now there is anarchy on the streets, fear in the people and a sense of hopelessness all around. The crackdown has started. It will end in either the Tyrant winning or losing.
If the Tyrant wins, the Revolutionary will end up in prison or dead. The Ruler will no more be a Tyrant and everyone will praise the Ruler. The same corrupt, criminal lot – the Businessman, the Judge and the Official – will be around, carrying on with their activities until the next lot of disgruntled youth come in as fodder.
If the Tyrant loses, The Revolutionary will end up being the new Ruler. And he will be advised by the same corrupt, criminal lot – the Businessman, the Judge and the Official – who will continue with their activities. There will be a honeymoon period, everything will be made to look good, even though the reality is different, until the next lot of disgruntled youth come in as fodder.
This is the final stage of the revolution. Everything is back to what it was apart from a few changes here and there. Irrespective of the outcome, the Businessman has made a killing, the Judge and the Official have retained their jobs. And the Beggar is back to begging, having lost his source of freebies.
When you are young and impressionable, don’t lose yourself to such nonsense. There are many people who will try to hitch a ride on your back. Be aware, be careful. Your journey is your own, no one else should hijack it.