The word ‘mafia' is increasingly used in the media these days. We have the sand mafia, the land mafia, the fuel mafia, the food adulteration mafia, the builder mafia, the hawala mafia, the port mafia and, even, the vegetable mafia. In fact, it would appear that our nation is ruled by the mafia. Why, then, have elections at all? Our elected representatives, after all the tall and false promises to the common man, join hands with the mafia anyway. And, of what use are the police if they are helpless against the mafia raj? Have we achieved freedom in the true sense? While the British looted the nation till about 65 years ago, today our political leaders and the mafia are squandering away the nation's wealth together, with the common man looking on helplessly.
Harischandra Parshuram, Mumbai
