There maybe many ills in our polity, society and mindset but I think the biggest ones that need to be exorcized and uprooted urgently are as below:
Reservations: Dr B.R.Ambedkar reportedly was vehemently against reservations and reluctantly accepted a 10 year moratorium! However reservations kept proliferating as vote bank politics, eventually exceeding 50%. The Supreme Court finally capped reservations at 49.5%, keeping 50.5% unreserved (SC/ST could also compete here). The upper castes and the rich and powerful have been subjugating the Dalits and lower castes to doing menial jobs, keeping them uneducated and exploited. The flogging of Dalits in Una by cow protection groups was the last straw. They will now no more take discrimination lying down. Neither will the modern generation. Sub castes from the poor minorities have sprung up and also those from the well off sections like the Patidars who feel discriminated against, due being highly qualified but blocked from admission by reservations.
To placate them, after violent agitations, they also have been promised reservations. Justice J B Pardiwala was cited for impeachment by some politicians for rightly stating “When our Constitution was framed, it was understood that the reservation would remain for a period of 10 years, but unfortunately, it has continued even after 65 years of independence. The biggest threats, today, for the country is corruption. The countrymen should rise and fight against corruption at all levels, rather than shedding blood and indulging in violence for the reservation. The reservation has only played the role of an amoeboid monster sowing seeds of discord amongst the people. The importance of merit, in any society, cannot be understated”.
A solution is to have more schools with quality education for all children. The criteria for reservations must now be economic status and students permitted to earn whilst they study. Schools could consider specific arrangements where children are required to help aged parents or domestic commitments. Physically challenged children need specially trained teachers. Special schools and also arrangements in normal schools can be worked out. With computers these days all this is possible. The evil of caste reservations as at present in educational institutions and for jobs must be quashed and done away with. This should be the next big bang essential reform and not take as long to pass and implement as for GST.
The VIP syndrome: Have written about this many times, and also the Supreme Court prompting the executive to moderate this malaise has encountered government’s deaf ear akin to the crying need for police reforms. Semi-illiterate constables defer to authority and are intimidated by traditional/ illegal VIPs and celebrities who bulldoze their way with arrogance as if it is their birthright. What is more worrisome is this is a security hazard but taken for granted by the common man and the security establishment.
This VIP ego has spread to the citizen and we find stickers on private vehicles like Press, Police, Army, Advocate and so on effectively giving status to occupants whoever else they maybe! In fact the VIP Syndrome is listed as a disease in the psychiatric manuals.
The behavior of VIPs in hospitals effect doctors, patients and all the staff, so also all their black cat commandoes and security arrangements the surroundings in which they operate. What a contrast to the dignitaries of the western democracies!
The most powerful President Barrack Obama stands in line to vote and shows his identity card as per procedure.
In India there are too many VIPs and VVIPs with comparatively in your face excessive security and privileges that is draining the nation’s finances and putting unnecessary strain on the security forces, leaving the citizen vulnerable, VIPs arrogant and people outraged/demeaned. This culture fuels sycophancy!
The Supreme Court has been compelled to issue guidelines and akin to illegal occupation of accommodation, the elected representatives generally ignore, like rulers above the law! Our union sports minister’s behavior at Rio drew sharp warning from the Olympic Committee.
A solution is to do away with red beacons and sirens which should be kept only for emergency i.e. Ambulances, Fire Fighting and Police and security forces only when chasing criminals or emergency situations. This would be in the interest of everyone as people will know immediately this is some emergency, give way, take precautionary measures or even come out to help. The number of VIPs must be drastically reduced, their movements not cause hazards to any situation or public and their security must be as far as possible unobtrusive and with modern techniques. Some other colored beacons maybe used to distinguish these exalted people.
Communalism: With the BJP political arm of the RSS in power, the Parrivar fringe elements like the VHP, Bagrang Dal and other vigilantes are emboldened to enforce their writ exemplified by Gau Rakshas, summary goondagiri, extortion and even killings. There is enough investigative evidence shown live on Television for the authorities to nip this in the bud, if India has any hope of being a great respected democratic nation in the world polity. Enlightened civilized nations differ from others in how they basically uphold human rights, treat their minorities, women and children, old, physically and mentally challenged people and uplift the poor.
The Solution- Strict enforcement of Constitutional Law and Order enabled without fear or favor!
(The author is a retired naval officer).
