As the Nation gears up for the upcoming general elections and the countdown has begun with verbal war, it’s time to awaken as Rabrindranath Tagore says: ‘Let my Country awake… my Father, let my Country awake’, from the deep slumber and look at our country socially, economically and politically. To think and ponder whether the outcome of the last general elections was and is in the interest of ALL the peoples, was for ALL the peoples or biased. To consider and think about in terms of the heart-beat of the Constitution which is the Preamble, a way of life as stated by BR Ambedkar, who said: “It was, indeed a way of life, which recognises liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life and which cannot be divorced from each other: liberty cannot be divorced from equality; equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things”
On January 26, the Nation honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on in 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India and celebrated the 70th Republic day.
The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. January 26, was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence Purna Swaraj was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.
In a democratic country Sovereignty means the independent authority of a State. It means that it has the power to legislate on any subject; and that it is not subject to the control of any other State or external power.
The term socialist as used here refers to democratic socialism. i.e. achievement of socialist goals through democratic, evolutionary and non-violent means. Essentially, it means that (since wealth is generated socially) wealth should be shared equally by society through distributive justice, not concentrated in the hands of few, and that the government should regulate the ownership of land and industry to reduce socio-economic inequalities.
Secular means that the relationship between the government and religious groups are determined according to constitution and law. It separates the power of the state and religion. Explaining the meaning of secularism as adopted by India, Alexander Owics has written, “Secularism is a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution and it means equal freedom and respect for all religions.”
Democratic: The people of India elect their governments by a system of universal adult franchise, popularly known as “one man one vote”. The word ‘democratic’ not only refers to political but also to social and economic democracy.
In a republican form of government, the head of state is elected and not a hereditary monarch.
Justice: India seeks social, economic and political justice to ensure equality to its citizens.
Liberty: The idea of Liberty refers to the freedom on the activities of Indian nationals.
Equality: This envisages that no section of the society enjoys special privileges and individuals are provided with adequate opportunities without any discrimination: all are equal before the law.
Fraternity: This refers to a feeling of brotherhood and a sense of belonging with the country among its people. It embraces psychological as well as territorial dimensions of National Integration. It leaves no room for regionalism, communalism, casteism, etc, which hinders the Unity of the State.
We say we are republic, but our country suffers from loopholes inside our own system. Corruption is embedded in our system till depths. It is obvious that we are a democracy, because our leaders are chosen by voters. But are we a republic? Does real power rest with the citizens of India?
When can we, wholly and in full measure, claim to be a republic? It’s only when the rights and liberties of Indian citizens are respected by the state, mandate of the people accepted by the government without exception!
I make the prayer of Rabindranath Tagore my own and pray to the Almighty that our countrymen be free from any fear of oppression or forced compulsion; that everyone in our country has his/her head held high in dignity. That my nation be awakened. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
