By Srinivasan K. Rangachary
One wonders why a seven thousand years civilization, albeit a 65- years young nation, now universally acknowledged as an emerging global power after years of being on the fringes of world power play, time and again displays a proclivity for self-destruct. Is this inexplicable phenomenon a manifestation of a primordial Hindu fatalism derived from an overly philosophical heritage? Is it partisan, petty politics or the current aspirations of some of our political leaders in the country to put the clock back for selfish and real short term motivations? Has the infamous Panipat syndrome’ come back to haunt us even when everything stands for India to be a principal player in the world in the current century universally touted to be an Asian predominant one ?
It pains me personally as a soldier, who has worn the country’s uniform with much pride for 41- years, that some of our chief ministers and their political parties are putting spokes in national issues concerning security, counter-terrorism and even international relations and economic linkages with some neighbouring countries. Is the call of the nation lesser than of the region they claim to represent, and, why is it that at the drop of a hat they keep reminding all and sundry of the federal character of India’s hallowed Constitution?
Perhaps some of these luminaries need legal advice in the nuances of federalism enshrined in our Constitution and so profoundly conceptualised by the foresight of our founding fathers of the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Dr. Rajendra Prasad among others. Our Constitution, mercifully, is also embellished with strong unitary features, thanks to their wisdom carefully articulated for a diverse and huge country like India.
No one can deny that the federal character of the Indian Constitution has sustained our democracy, strengthened our unity despite extreme diversity and has been an engine for India’s societal harmony and commendable economic resurgence. But it should surely not be used as a convenient tool to undermine the India story by those who endeavour to spread regionalism or casteism for petty political harvesting.
Genuine federalism must be nurtured and Centre- state relations need to be far more benign and positive towards each other. Politicians of all hues must respect all institutions of governance in the nation. India does not require an anarchical environment resulting from indigenous “springs” or “revolutions” similar to those that have confronted the Arab world since the last year. The pious debates heard recently at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Parliament now need to be practised in letter and spirit by all our political parties.
Dozens of government bills and proposals have been grounded since the last few months — surely not on logical parameters but for the sake of scuttling — to cause whatever embarrassment can be heaped on the now unmistakably beleaguered UPA-II. The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011, the National Commission for Human Resources for Health Bill 2011, the Border Security Force (Amendment) Bill 2011, the National Pension Regulatory Bill, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) establishment, the widely debated and controversial Lok Pal Bill and the Central Sales Tax compensation proposals have nearly been razed to the ground by a near unified non — Congress CMs conclave. In the case of the NCTC, reviewed once again on 5 May at the prime minister’s meeting with the CMs, the interpretation by some among the latter that the NCTC will impinge on the federal rights of the states is hardly logical. In cooperation with the states, political parties of all hues must acknowledge that the Centre cannot forsake its responsibility of tackling terrorism including Left wing extremism and thus unified security structures embracing the relevant organs of the state are sine qua non.
Near dictatorial inclinations of some regional satraps are being camouflaged behind the call of federalism, where and when convenient, and also as a cloak to hide the indifferent governance in their states and perhaps some are understandably now developing pan-India political ambitions. Some among these “worthies” are utilizing the current impasse all over the country to forge political alliances for the next Presidential and Lok Sabha elections hardly bothering for the resolution of various pressing national issues including the fight against terror or helping the country in facing the current and very serious global economic crisis which has adversely impacted India. All politics and alignments are naturally acceptable in a democracy like India, as long it does not hold the country, the Parliament and normal governance to ransom. Destruction of government property, burning of public buses, stone pelting trains, injuring innocent commuters and downing the shutters of shops by violent means are hardly democratic.
The nation, perhaps, has never been as politically divided internally as now and this does not brook well for us. The Centre, in the throes of daily doses of crisis, must reach out to the states well in advance and allay their misgivings about any legislation or policies in a more accommodative manner.
Let us not fritter away these golden moments in our history which await to catapult us to the global high table. India’s destiny cannot be mortgaged at the altar of petty politicking. All those who inhabit India, all its states and regions, all its peoples are equally important and warrant all round equitable development. However, let us never forget the simple lesson from our ancient history—— India has to be bigger than the sum of all its parts to remain India! An unforgettable lament from a famous Urdu poet that keeps ringing in my ears these days: “Jinhe naaz hai Hind par woh kahan hain.”(Where are those people who were proud of India) INAV