Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India election crusader, Lal Mani Das cycling for 'real' democracy

LAL MANI DAS raises his voice above the morning din outside a railway station in the eastern Indian city of Patna city to make an appeal: ‘Vote for a strong democracy’.

The 45-year-old from impoverished Bihar state is not a vote-seeking politician or a government election agent in the world's biggest election that began on Thursday (11).


Instead he is an ordinary snack-hawker with a bicycle on a mission to exhort people to vote and with their heads during the almost six-week polling period lasting until May 19.

"I felt a strong urge to do something about how people waste their votes by either electing wrong candidates or not voting at all," Das said as he cycled along a chaotic road with banners festooning his bike and body.

The champion for democracy juggles between his evening job of selling traditional snacks and his "Cycle Jagrukta Yatra" (‘Cycle Awareness Journey’) mission.

With thousands of candidates competing for the 543 seats in the lower house of parliament from India's 900 million voters, he is concerned about the calibre of those running.

"Voting in India is either personality or party driven. No one ever bothers to vote for a candidate on merit, like how honest he is or if he is a criminal," said Das.

He engages with random members of the public and his customers alike, explaining to them the importance of exercising their democratic right to cast a ballot.

Das said he spent Rs 10,000 out of his own pocket that he had earmarked for his four children's education to print thousands of flyers with his vision of India.

But he rejects taunts from friends and family that he is an eccentric who has squandered his kids' future, and argues that the money is also an investment in their lives.

Despite being a vibrant democracy, and the largest on the planet, critics point to the Indian system's many imperfections.

This includes the sometimes opaque selection process for candidates to parties bribing voters with cash, liquor and other freebies or resorting to violence.

Das says his mission is to train people to screen each candidate carefully.

For this he has drafted a checklist which he wears of 10 points to look out for in a candidate, including their criminal past, honesty and spending habits.

If candidates do not pass muster then he has a suggestion: Vote ‘NOTA’ - none of the above something that six million people did at the 2014 election, or 1.1 per cent of votes cast.

Das said it also pains him to see politicians fight inside parliament the "temple of democracy," he calls it instead of tackling matters of public concern.

"Should we elect a parliamentarian who goes to Delhi to fight instead of discussing our problems?" he tells a crowd of curious onlookers.

The outgoing parliament spent 40 percent less time in session compared to previous terms, mostly due to frequent adjournments following ruckuses between MPs.

Forty-six bills failed to clear the house, while 133 bills were passed, many without parliamentary discussion.

One-third of the parliamentarians elected in 2014 had criminal charges against them, including seven charged with murder.

And he feels sour about the estimated 100 million people working away from their homes who are unable to vote because they have to be physically present in their registered hometown to cast their ballot.

If nothing works, he might himself jump into the election fray someday to improve the lot of India's 1.3 billion people.

"If people want me to contest the elections, I would be more than happy," said Das, adding his only wish is to see India become a real democracy.

(AFP)

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less