Resignations Won't Fix the System: Op-Ed on Accountability and Protests at Jantar Mantar

In this opinion piece, columnist Kamlesh Singh critiques the traditional approach of street protests demanding ministerial resignations, arguing that accountability in modern politics requires systematic paperwork, written petitions, and direct engagement with elected Members of Parliament.

Key Arguments:
- Resignation vs. Removal: Demanding a resignation assumes a sense of shame in politics; instead, citizens should target the 'removal' power of the ultimate boss (the Prime Minister) via their elected representatives.
- Paperwork over Slogans: Protests need formal documentation. Written demands, signed petitions, and formal records in Parliament carry far more weight than temporary slogans and protect protesters from being dismissed as a mere 'crowd'.
- Guarding the Movement: The author cautions student protesters against letting opportunistic political factions and ideological groups hijack their independent educational grievances (such as exam leaks) for their own political theatre.
- Direct MP Accountability: Citizens are urged to treat their vote and local MPs as primary tools for institutional change, remembering that real political power lies in the voting booth rather than fleeting street demonstrations.