By Barnes Mawrie
“Indians today are governed by two different ideologies. Their political ideal set in the preamble of the Constitution affirms a life of liberty, equality and fraternity. Their social ideal embodied in their religion denies them”. (Dr. B. R. Ambedkar)
Come election 2014 and we are already witnessing a hot battle of wits. Every party and three in particular (INC, BJP and AAP) are foremost with their political ideologies. Ideologies are important and essential for they shape the mind and heart of the nation. To adapt the quote of Gary Bauer I would put it this way: “Indians have not only a right but a responsibility to consider the values of those who seek to lead them – whether they arise from life experience, political ideology or religious belief”. It is interesting to study the political ideologies of the above three parties. AAP’s ideology is basically one of “a corruption free nation”. This I would consider too idealistic, easier said than done. It is impossible to think of a “corruption free society”. As Michael Shemer has rightly observed: “I say you don’t need religion, or political ideology, to understand human nature. Science reveals that human nature is greedy and selfish…”. It is precisely because of this human nature that I feel that AAP’s election slogan lacks pragmatism. However, I appreciate their sincerity in addressing the issue and their well intended effort.
The Congress Party on the other hand has made secularism its political ideology. This is very much in keeping with the dream and vision of Gandhiji for India. In fact, Gandhiji himself remarked: “If I were a dictator, religion and state would be separate. I swear by my religion. I will die for it. But it is my personal affair. The state has nothing to do with it. The state would look after your secular welfare, health, communications, foreign relations, currency and so on, but not your or my religion. That is everybody’s personal concern!” Secularism is the most important ingredient of democracy. Without it democracy would degenerate into theocracy or total anarchy. In an era where we see the rise of religious fundamentalism in some parts of the world, secularism should be upheld at all cost by our democratic nation.
To define secularism in a more pragmatic manner I would have recourse to a quote by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. He says: “My people are going to learn the principles of democracy, the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go. Let them worship as they will, every man can follow his own conscience provided it does not interfere with sane reason or bid him act against the liberty of his fellow men.” This quote explains everything about secularism. What comes out clearly here is the freedom of worship, adherence to truth and plausibility of science. I would not be wrong to say that the Congress Party has always safeguarded this ideology since the inception of our republic. In a country like ours where there is plurality of religious belief, secularism is of utmost importance. It is the one thing that guarantees peace and harmonious co-existence.
Now coming to the BJP’s political ideology of development, there is much to say. It is true that India needs more development in order to ensure the well being of its citizens. However, we are well aware that BJP as of now is being backed by Hindu fundamentalists like the RSS whose agenda is “Hindutva”. Such an agenda is clearly outside the purview of secularism. Hindutva is one strategy by which Indian democracy would be transformed into theocracy. This is the fear that every right thinking citizen has with the coming to power of the BJP. What is the use of development when the basic human right of religious freedom is not guaranteed or is at worst suppressed. Let us not forget that religion or religious affiliation is so fundamental to man that any attempt to interfere with this would undoubtedly lead to rebellion and unrest. History has enough lessons to teach us on this issue and India cannot afford to succumb to such errors. BJP’s ideology and slogan on development raises a lot of doubts because of the hidden religious agenda it nurtures.
In the words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk again: “Those who use religion for their own benefit are detestable. We are against such a situation and will not allow it. Those who use religion in such a manner have fooled our people; it is against just such people that we have fought and will continue to fight”. The people of India have been assured of secularism by the Constitutions and therefore they would never compromise on this issue. I personally believe that development should come after secularism has been guaranteed and not vice versa.
Today we the citizens of this vast country, are left with choices between these ideologies. Soon we will exercise our franchise based on our conviction about these ideologies. Modi is vociferous with his slogan on development for India, Kejriwal on “corruption free India” while the Congress harps on secularism. The questions we need to ask are: will development be feasible in the absence of secularism? Can we really do away with corruption? Can the citizens be fooled with secularism sans development? Frankly speaking, we need all three: secularism, development and freedom from corruption. Therefore I would say every party lacks completeness in their election agenda. However, if I would place them in my priority list, I would put them as follows: Secularism, development and freedom from corruption. Secularism is a fundamental ingredient of democracy. It is also a foundational value on which other things are based like peace, harmony, unity and brotherhood. These in turn provide the groundwork for any developmental process. Corruption on the other hand is a deviant behaviour arising from greed and egoism. It cannot be tackled by rules and prohibitions but through education by parents, by the educational and religious institutions.