Why do some people remain intensely apolitical?
My aged mother, living in one of the six states that went to the Assembly polls, was unsure if she would cast her ballot this time because of poor health. However, members of a certain party made arrangements for her commute to the polling booth, where she was told she could not vote. She had misplaced her Aadhaar card, and that stopped her from participating in the democratic process she had rarely missed. Yet she was not disappointed, for, in her words, “it doesn’t matter who comes to power. They are all the same.”
She and my late father had an allegiance to the Congress party and would show support to the “hand” regardless of who the candidate was. It had little to do with the party’s ideology; they were not concerned about what the party had come to be. Their loyalty was rooted in history. For many people like me, national politics is not a staple. It is something we encounter in passing, in fragments-like news playing in a waiting room. For those who are deeply political, this may seem like indifference towards democracy or a lack of conviction about our right to choose how we are governed.
It is not so. For many who consider themselves apolitical, the distance arises from confusion, disillusionment, and fatigue.
It brings to mind George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where the promise of equality and justice slowly slips into moral compromise, exposing the decay within political systems. In recent times, we have seen new entrants like AAP promise clean governance and change. Yet, over time, principles appear diluted amid accusations and defections, leading to crises of credibility.
This raises a difficult question: is clean governance, or even change itself, sustainable in a world that quietly prioritises self-interest over public good? The recurring cycle of hope and disappointment reinforces the belief that “all are the same”, keeping many at a distance from political engagement.
At the same time, we live in an era where a film star can become a political force almost overnight — not necessarily because of governance credentials, but due to mass appeal. Vijay’s entry into politics in Tamil Nadu reflects this ongoing fusion of cinema and politics. Whether this marks a meaningful shift or simply adds to the spectacle remains to be seen.
For many citizens, what matters most is stability. Who governs is less important than how governance affects daily life. People care about whether their lives become easier, safer, and more secure. Ideology matters, but only when it translates into tangible outcomes. Without that, party names and positions lose significance.
Being ideologically neutral does not mean being uninformed or indifferent. For many, it is not an absence of thought but a refusal to be confined by rigid political identities. Parties demand alignment, but individuals often live with contradictions. One can value secularism while also advocating equality; these are not mutually exclusive.
When political systems force binary choices, those who prefer nuance often step back-not from issues, but from the pressure to conform. They are not anti-political, merely less vocal. They understand that thoughtful engagement does not always need to be loud or polarised.
The writer is a Dubai-based author, columnist, independent journalist and children’s writing coach; Views presented are personal.
