Proper education is a must for prosperity, yes, but I think this post makes a huge mistake by equating illiteracy with unwiseness. In any country ordinary people, in general, may be poor, illiterate and downtrodden. But they are never 'uneducated' or unwise. It's simply not true that they don't know what's good for them or don't notice the ruling elite's misbehavior.
1977 is a watershed moment in India's history. That year, Indira Gandhi got kicked out of office in the general elections. For the previous two years she instituted a de facto personal dictatorship in the name of emergency. Often eulogized by a section of the elite, she became overconfident and called for elections. She personally lost at her constituency. Literacy in India in 1977? Less than 40%. People simply didn't accept a demagogue in power.
Indian society is every bit as feudal and diverse as Pakistan. An added problem is Hindu caste tradition. Intersect friction is present in Pakistan but is nowhere near as damaging as inter caste rivalry in India. With all its problems, Indian people kicked out a leader who, only a few years ago was immensely popular due to the 71 victory. Bottom line - don't take ordinary people as malleable monolithic block that can be manhandled by the elite as they see fit.
One statement I find particularly ominous is, '..the illiterate cannot be barred from voting..'. Also; 'we the free minded literate people can keep shouting for a change but we are a minority'. It will sound harsh but this is the typical attitude of an unwise and undemocratic elite. The problems in India/Pakistan are immense and it will take decades before any palpable changes are made. Illiteracy is a symptom of those problems, not the cause. If free and fair elections are held in Pakistan, and that's one big if, people will vote wisely, regardless of their education. If you think they will not, you are missing something.
Leave him....
