The most populous democracy with wide diversity of all shades, practically no shade matching and yet knit together through a constitution sustaining democratic freedoms, secularism, protection to less privileged, gender equality, minority rights and commitment to economic justice stood unique among the world’s newly independent nations. After the initial grappling with issues of poverty, illiteracy, hunger, religious tensions, casteism, fatalistic tradition and border tensions, India emerged as the fastest growing economy. Rich in cultural heritage and springboard of peace and non-violence, this nation became the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement. India harnessed science and technology to find solutions to meet the challenges of education, national security and economic development. Despite deliberate efforts to break up from the deadwood of the past rooted in unscientific tradition and superstition gaining success, India continues to be a bundle of social, economic and political contradictions. But, the vision towards modern values of inclusive democracy, equality, justice and scientific temper was clear. We, the people of India, its political and social leadership showed the propensity and ability to walk this track.
It is not that there were no aberrations in leadership. But, it never became the mainstream in politics. The situation is turning topsy-turvy today and the self-inflicted wounds of majoritarian politics and parochial minds are taking the republic backwards in terms of constitutional and humanistic values. It is painful and disturbing that the idea of civilised, constitutional, multi-cultured India is suffering defeats at the hands of an arrogant muscular Executive with the weakening of the parliament, a judiciary turned indifferent and a media which has sold its fundamental bearings. The political forces which came into power on the plank of development (vikas) and corruption-free India (brashtachar mukt Bharat) in 2014 under the backdrop of development paralysis and pinnacle of corruption under UPA-II regime have today abdicated this agenda to create a hysteria of ‘nation in danger’ along with polarising the citizens on communal lines. A by-pass is being laid down to the main track of the Indian Republic.
This politics not only destroys the constitutional republic but also annihilates the vision of a modern and scientific society for all people. Such politics pumps negative blood for economics, social development and shrinks space for reason, innovation and creativity. Needless to say, it increases the scope for superstition, magic and supernatural nurturing regressive mindsets.
None even dreamt of doing for 65 years, the BJP did it in five years. As the republic turns 70, Indians will have to adduce proof of their citizenship to the satisfaction of the bureaucrats. Though armed with ration-card, Aadhaar, EPIC, etc, they are insufficient. The panic has resulted in citizens queuing for birth-certificates. Around 45% who normally stay without registering their birth are taking assistance of legal professionals. There are reports that such families have to cough up huge sums for the formalities. This exercise is in futility and also a prodigal waste of public funds but keeps the citizens on toes and in fear. It provides the vicarious pleasure to the so called ‘nationalist’ forces.
An unconstitutional amendment is carried out to the Citizenship Act whereby for the first time, the classification is done on the basis of religion. There are protests throughout the country but the government is in no mood of dialogue. On the other hand, it is for the first time that the official machinery is also protesting against the protestors of CAA. This never happened earlier. Even during the political emergency of 1975, there were no officially sponsored and supported protests against the agitators. The PMPrime Minister justifies the CAA with the observation that the amended law has exposed persecution of minorities by Pakistan. Such a foolish and childish comment is not expected from the Head of State when the nation is burning with agitations everywhere. Even if true, it is like drawing the attention to the ugliness in the dwelling place of the neighbour by putting the personal house on fire.
The State is getting stronger, the citizens are rendered weaker. The State has usurped the power to dispossess people of their citizenship. Dissent with government is viewed either as ‘naxal’ or anti-national. A new culture of political rivalries being taken personally has been enunciated. The republic is attempted to be taken over by private policing of fanatic groups infringing the freedoms and rights of the people. The confidence in the law enforcement machinery and the apex bureaucracy is declining.
The judiciary affording to rest relaxed is an enigma. It looks that issues of faith are of greater priority to the apex judiciary than fundamental rights of citizens and excesses of the Executive. The judgment in the Ayodhya case and the nine-judge bench constituted to examine the larger issue of faith-based customs violating fundamental rights of women as a priority over CAA, Article 370, detention in J&K, undefined custodial interrogation of political opponents etc, are further hurting the constitutional republic. The constitutional and autonomous authorities such as the office of the governor, ECI, CVC, RBI, and CBI, etc are stabbing the constitutional norms.
Pranab Mukherjee in his book The Coalition Years recollects a media interaction of Ms Indira Gandhi at Heathrow Airport lounge after the defeat of the Congress in the post-Emergency election in 1977. When she was flung with the question ‘What have been your gains from the Emergency?’, she replied in a level voice “In those 21 months, we comprehensively managed to alienate all sections of the Indian people”. India is losing its international charm and at home opening up pain and chaos to its citizens.
(The writer is an educationist and political commentator)
