Is democracy another term for goonocracy?

Contrary to popular perceptions, the Ancient Greeks didn't care too much for democracy. Even though the word is derived from the Greek language, its meaning for people such as Plato was more mob rule than people's rule. Karl Popper, the great philosopher of science (I can see him twisting in his grave at this description of mine), put Plato at the top of the enemies of open society. For long academicians, especially those who believed in the linear conception of history, and also in the interpretative method have quite severely castigated Popper for being insensitive to the cultural differences that history creates and talking about an open society in the context of Ancient Greece while it was more of a modern construct. This is not the appropriate forum to discuss the rightness or wrongness of Karl Popper in his uncharitable description of Plato. However, I have invoked his argument for a specific purpose. For once I shall accept his characterization of Plato without question. So Plato is the enemy of open society. He was "totalitarian" in his thinking. He had no respect for this sacred cow called democracy. Now I shall mount my own critique of Karl Popper for scoffing at Plato for being an enemy of democracy and open society. Here I shall firmly stand on the side of Plato and agree with his idea that democracy is mobocracy. And why have I become like this?

A couple of days ago I read in the newspapers of some of the actions of the pro-Telangana "students". Yes those very ones who have been beaten brutally in public by the police and consequently earned the "right" to behave as they please. Some of these people who apparently are on a higher moral plane than people like me, have decided that they have had enough of Andhra Pradesh and that the Government of Andhra Pradesh should not celebrate the formation of the State. (I am quite at a loss to understand why a State Government should mourn the existence of itself though). As a mark of protest and and as a guarantee to validate their claims, these leaders broke into the premises of the Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, doused Potti Sree Ramulu's statue with kerosene or petrol and tried to set it on fire. A security guard alerted to the authorities and this bid was foiled, albeit the statue of the said man was damaged. Then the Osmania University Students JAC created and burnt the effigy of same man, as a symbolic freeing of Telangana from the clutches of the Andhra colonists. Some of the leaders then decided to even burn up the statue of Telugu Thalli statue. Hence the police is sparing no efforts to keep anyone away from the statue.

Here I have a couple of questions.

1. How did Potti Sree Ramulu contribute to the betrayal of Telangana or to its colonization by the Andhra capitalists and land grabbers? Do these "students" and "research scholars" even know what Potti Sree Ramulu did? I am sure they don't, otherwise why would they apportion blame on him for things that he is not remotely responsible.

2. What is the language spoken by people in the Telangana region? I was under the stupid impression that it was Telugu. And if it is Telugu why are there intentions of destroying something which is nothing more than a symbol of the Telugu language. Like the Bharat Mata or Maa Bharthi.

3. I wonder how many people will not be angered by terrorists if they set fire to a statue or effigy of Bharat Mata. If people who set fire to Bharat Mata are anti-national, what are people who do the same here to Telugu thalli and Potti Sree Ramulu?

4. And why are not people indignant about these things? Is it fear or have we simply become so comfortably numb that these things do not mean anything to anyone anymore?

If fear is the key to understanding this mute spectating by people then Plato must be right that democracy is nothing but mob rule or in this case goonocracy. That in itself would not have been so bad, if it wasn't for the fact that these goons are "vidyavanthulu", "intellectuals", "research scholars" etc. I am now trying to imagine how the uneducated will be then. Wait a minute, I think I know the answer. They will be much more enlightened, since they are not goons masquerading as something else.

It brings a tear to my eye that a man who has given up his life after an arduous 40 day fast has this done to him. Rest in peace Sri Potti Sree Ramulu, we are not worthy of your legacy.

P.S. I have not proof read this post, due to paucity of time. All errors may please be forgiven, thank you.