The current political oppression belies spirit of R-Day but people have the power to undo the wrong
A supporter of the ruling party at the Centre recently told me, “If need be, we will change the Constitution and remove the word ‘secularism’ from it.” The words, though spoken in a huff when pointed out the banality of religion in the progress of mankind, were strong and if acted upon, can change the very democratic fabric of our country.
It was also mortifying that the words were spoken a few days before the country celebrated Republic Day. On January 26, 1950, India made her place among the world’s democracies when a group of visionary leaders, including BR Ambedkar, laid down the Constitution. “We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual.”
Seven decades on, the Constitution is being abused to such an extent by the powerful few that the constituents are feeling betrayed and apprehending a complete breakdown of the democratic and republican system of the country. The jolt is so petrifying that citizens, cutting across caste, creed and religion, have come out in hordes to uphold the Constitution and reinvigorate the spirit of unity that lies in the heart of the country’s diversity.
Two political developments in the recent months have triggered a nationwide tsunami of protests. One, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens and the other, the enactment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. While the former forces citizens to show papers to prove their identity as Indians, the latter gives out papers to refugees belonging to chosen religious groups to ensure their Indianness. The ruling party argued that these two mechanisms are the means to clear space for ‘genuine citizens’ that has hitherto been occupied by illegal immigrants and to protect the persecuted mass in neighbouring countries seeking refuge in India.
The argument seems valid when looked through a monochromatic (read saffron-tinted) glass and many citizens indeed believe that these will go a long way in protecting the country from the kafirs. But when seen through the prism of diversity, these threaten the very spirit of the Constitution.
These two developments are only part of a discriminatory politics that has gained steam over the years. The divisiveness has been growing like a festering wound for some years now with the ruling regime’s persecution of a particular section of the citizens. The perversion of political power has overshadowed social harmony and integrity and gagged the voices of sanity. Free and diverse thoughts have become akin to criminality. Liberty has been replaced by servitude and justice has been mauled under the feet by unscrupulous leaders. At this juncture, celebration of Republic Day becomes a farcical affair, a show-off to the world and mockery of the citizens who are the basis of the ‘republic’.
“Republic Day in some senses is more important than Independence Day because that is the day when we got the true sense of constitution of democracy. But in the last few years, the values like treating everyone equally and (practising) sovereignty, secularism which form democracy are under attack. If you take away secularism from India, then the Constitution is hollowed out. Then what is January 26? Nothing,” points out independent filmmaker and activist Tarun Bhartiya.
Secularism has been the essence of Indian Constitution. A country of diverse religious practices, India has celebrated the harmony during festivals of varying colours. No one group of people from a particular religion has ever flexed muscles as is happening today. Never before the minority religious groups have felt such sense of insecurity and fear. This is not only harming the current social bonding but has the potential to have long-term debilitating effects on the world’s largest democracy.
“The present trend in the country is really very divisive. A lot of people want to make India a country of one religion and one language. The religion is Hindu and the language is Hindi. They also want one monolithic nation, which is against the very spirit of republic, which means rule by the people. By ‘people’ we mean all groups of people and not just one,” says Xavier Mao, professor at North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.
The Constitution says, “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.”
However, the brazen discrimination in our society has not only belied the Constitution but it is also a sign of regression. That religion and caste can be defining identities even in the 21st century is a shame for the country and its people. It is also saddening that a few political groups are supporting this nefarious intentions and rejecting people’s voices despite knowing the consequences. When the people of the country are ignored, how does one accept a façade that reflects false hopes and promises?
“A ‘republic’ means that supreme power is held by the people and the current state of politics in our nation steers completely clear of that meaning. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index shows that India has slipped to the 51st position which is appalling considering that it is the world’s largest democracy. I am unsure what we are supposed to celebrate this Republic Day — repression, bigotry, human rights violations, internet bans or Hindutva ideologies? We can truly claim and celebrate the republic when the people’s voices are heard, when the government begins to pay attention to these cries of the nation and when they begin to realise that we are, indeed, a democracy and that shunning our voices will only make them louder. The state has not, under any condition, lived up to the word “republic” or the values of our Constitution and it remains to be seen if it will only go downhill from here,” says Alicia Phanwar, a young graduate of multimedia journalism.
Phanwar’s fear, like that of many other youth of the country, is not unfounded. And this is the reason why every city and street is resonating with cries of “Azadi”, or freedom, from tyranny, oppression, poverty (a stark problem that the political leaders seldom talk about), myopic visions and the looming darkness.
“Republic emerged against the tyrannical and oppressive rule of the monarch… and many western developed countries have successfully moved towards it. The best examples would be the Nordic countries where people are ruling and they are enjoying… The governments in these countries are for the people… But India is far, far away from being a republic. It is a monarchy of a different form now… Ministers are half-educated. Rajeshwar Singh (leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) made a public statement that ‘Muslims and Christians will be completely eliminated’. What a dangerous statement he has made,” Mao explains the current situation.
Education, the professor asserts, is the only way to enlighten the mass. But not all political leaders have the noble intention of making the constituents truly educated as this would mean ushering in their doomsday. The concerted effort of the government to weaken a generation by withdrawing funds from the education system is nothing but to weaken the very roots of democracy. The stifling of the multi-vocal system is a sign of autocracy.
But as one sees the power of people surging on the streets and the conscious youth taking up the gauntlet, one may feel that not everything is lost. The voices of dissent are nearing crescendo and the chain of humanity is getting stronger. That is a salve in times of crisis and a threat to the hate-mongers.
“What do we celebrate (on Republic Day)? The coming of the Constitution and this essentially symbolises the voice of the people. So, I think that is why the day should be celebrated,” says Binayak Dutta, professor at North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.
“Because the fact that you can build up a resistance and have a voice, and that you have the ability to have a voice, the strength comes from that… the Constitution is a document that makes our republic not a static one but ever-evolving… the Constitution is an instrument and ultimately it is the people who run the country and hold the instrument that matter,” he adds.
Indeed, nothing is stagnant or long-lasting and the cycle of the current political oppression will also come to the culmination point. It is the people who matter and it is them who hold the key to change the seat of power. As the country goes up in arms calling for ‘Azadi’ from everything that is anti-humanity and undemocratic, all we can do is be a part of the struggle for establishing our fundamental rights, which are at stake.
~ NM