Conflagrations in Democracy: A Peep in Causes and Cure

 

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British Prime Minister Boris Jhonson, while on a two-day tour to India, said, “India is a very different country from autocracies around the world. It’s a great democracy. It’s a stunning, shining fact that 1.35 billion people live under a democracy. That is something we should celebrate as it offers us an opportunity for closer cooperation and partnership.”  Mr Jhonson was speaking at a press conference on 22 April 2022.

With an age-old democratic system, India is now the world’s biggest democracy. With its elaborate and foolproof electoral system, it is robust and deep-rooted. However, there is a thorn in the flesh harmful to a harmonious society. Three-quarters of a century ago, the world saw that the people of a great country break the shackles of slavery to become a free nation in 1947. India was a free nation but wounded, profusely bleeding and vivisected. Staggering initially, the nation started to become strong and determined to walk on the road to success. The journey was bumpy but the people did it. There are still bumps, potholes and challenges but the pleasure is to conquer them all and achieve the goal. 

One such challenge, the cancerous rot of communalism, is yet to be treated effectively. Without going into the past, the recent incidence of communal flares would satisfactorily meet the requirement of this discussion. There had been a series of conflagrations in various parts of India, especially in the Northern part. The spark was ignited on 02nd April 2022 from Karauli, Rajasthan where on the onset of Vikram Samvat, a procession, organised with prior government permission, was pelted with stones followed by a rapid spread of arson and riot. The magnitude was such that numerous shops were gutted, vehicles torched and a curfew was imposed. This was followed by the incidence of riots, arson, stone-pelting and mayhem on festive occasions across the country. 

The unfortunate incidents including organized and planned riots broke out simultaneously in about twelve places encapsulating Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Gujrat, Uttarakhand and Delhi on the occasion of Ram Navami (10th April 2022) and Hanuman Jayanti (16th April 2022). The modus operandi of each was similar, indicating meticulous planning. Reports indicated that the sinister plan to malign India was conceived on the soil of a hostile neighbouring country. It was made operational and spread using social media platforms plus sleeper cells. 

 

The worst clashes started in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh on 10th April 2022. It was alleged that the procession (Shobha Yatra) while passing through the communally charged Talab Chowk area, was pelted upon from the roof-tops of houses and places of worship. Police personnel were hurt, and an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police received a gunshot injury while trying to stop a rioter brandishing a sword in the crowd. The other side, however, has a different story. It was counter-alleged that provocation came from the procession that led to the untoward incident. Who instigated the violence and how is a question of enquiry, but it left many innocents in a lurch. It sent a shock wave across the country. The government took stern and timely action. “No one would be spared”, thundered Shivraj Singh Chauhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. With the help of video footage, the rioters and hooligans were spotted and arrested. Houses started bulldozing. Ironically, the violence went on deaf ears until the demolition of houses started. Obdurate factionist political leaders, whose survival leaned on hate-mongering and communal politics came onto the central stage. With the parochial divisive agenda of playing the victim card, scathing and painting the government actions with communal hues started. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalmeen (AIMIM) chief Mr Assaduddin Owaisi claimed it was a “State complicit violence”, selectively targeted towards Muslims. He also alleged that the selective demolition of Muslim houses was “Illegal and against Geneva Convention”. He conveniently ignored the stark fact of stone-pelting on the procession and rioting. Owaisi in his tweet (22 April 2022), said:

“ “For...Muslims, living in India today effectively means being at the mercy” of a Hindutva govt. Things are unlikely to get better

We must not give in to hopelessness but also not become complacent. Inshallah, these dark clouds will pass”

Following suit, leaders like Shafiqur Rahaman Barq and others were seen blatantly flouting the social norms, spreading hate and fear among the communities. The atmosphere was being charged and drenched with inflammatory hate speeches that rant in the air. The political and self-proclaimed messiah of religious cause also contributed their bits. Social media was brimmed with canards of fiery concocted speeches. A rat race started to appease and polarize communities to win votes.

Council House, Uttar Pradesh
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The whole pantomime, staged by anti-nationals and quislings, was for maligning India’s image in general and Prime Minister Modi in particular. Ostensibly it was done to chip off the meticulously created monolith through the hard work of the people to present a towering image on the international forum. TV reports and a plethora of videos testify to organized hooliganism, arson and stone-pelting. It did not appear spontaneous even considering ‘provocation’ a cause of ignition, as devil’s advocate. It left no doubt about the malicious intention of those who used petrol bombs and brickbats that were pre-piled up for ready availability on the rooftops, besides intimidatingly crowd gathering of hooligans and rioters.

After a lull, the incidence of violence and arson, conflagrations and riots are becoming an order of the day. Society appears to be sitting on a heap of gunpowder. For the last seventy and five years, the people are feeling the brunt of serious riots even after the vivisection of the country and the creation of the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” based on the “Two Nation Theory”. Jinnah used to put it that Hindus and Muslims were poles apart that could not live together. This stubborn attitude resulted in the religious divide and is continuing to do so. Addressing the Lahore session of the Muslim League on 22nd March 1940, Jinnah said:

“[[23]] It is extremely difficult to appreciate why our Hindu friends fail to understand the real nature of Islam and Hinduism. They are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are, in fact, different and distinct social orders; and it is a dream that the Hindus and Muslims can ever evolve a common nationality; and this misconception of one Indian nation has gone far beyond the limits and is the cause of more of our troubles and will lead India to destruction if we fail to revise our notions in time. The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literature[s]. They neither intermarry nor interdine together, and indeed they belong to two different civilisations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions. Their aspects [=perspectives?] on life, and of life, are different. It is quite clear that Hindus and Mussalmans derive their inspiration from different sources of history. They have different epics, their heroes are different, and different episode[s]. Very often the hero of one is a foe of the other, and likewise their victories and defeats overlap. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent, and final. destruction of any fabric that may be so built up for the government of such a state.” 

They wanted and had it. Pakistan is a reality. The religious division, however, failed to cement the two wings of Pakistan which, within about a quarter-century, were torn apart. Bangladesh emerged as a new country on the world map consequence of the civil war in 1971. The politics caused the vivisection, large-scale genocide and exodus way back in 1947. Paradoxically, most of those who instrumentalized the formation of Pakistan did not migrate there. 

It is being repeated in the same token. Politicians, who accepted division during the freedom movement, superficially tried to bandage the wounds of carnage. India opted for a secular system, though the word “Secular” was introduced in the Preamble of the Constitution by way of the 42nd Constitution Amendment in 1976. However, there had been no serious effort to bridge the gap between the two communities instead, the Indian polity adopted a policy of appeasement to garner minority support, ignoring the majority sentiments. 

Mosque in 'Bara Imambara'.
Photo by the author

The psyche that the two communities were poles apart is rearing its ferocious head once again. It suits the parochial agenda for votes. Communal frenzies were used to terrify the minority Muslim community and hate-mongering against the majority Hindu population. This is the gravest fallout of the electoral politics in India that acts as a fertilizer, augmenting the harmful weeds and choking the healthy growth. No wonder why a section of politicians is seen involved in encouraging, pampering and appeasing a section of society. This has helped the hardening of their approach and therefore, the minorities become aggressively defensive to protect their ‘right’. 

The political parties, self-proclaimed champions of human rights, leftists and liberals were mum on the unfortunate happenings at the time riots erupted. However, they sprang to action and started howling the moment houses started bulldozing. It all started when in Jahangirpuri of Delhi, slated to be cleared of heavy encroachment, authorities started demolishing illegal constructions and encroachments. Ironically, they were seen crying hoarse in favour of those who were found guilty of illegal construction and encroachments. Confabulations started on the legality of the action. The questions were being asked about the rule of law and the law of the land. The justification was sought for the validity of the government’s action. Victim cards were played, portraying the guilties as poor and oppressed. The ‘progressives’ rushed to the Supreme Court to stop the demolition drive and the Hon'ble Court did not disappoint them. Within no time the stay was granted and the work had to be stopped.

The government’s action may seem arbitrary and ruthless but it needs to be seen from the proper perspective as well. Communal violence is a blot on a civilized society that adversely affects the social fabric and economic activities. The threads of the working class and the traders are intertwined. They work together and live together. The daily wages are the lifeline of the working class while on the other hand, the traders need a regular supply of products. In such a condition, common people do not like to be involved in rioting. Despite this, the riots are an ugly reality. In a written reply to a question, the government told the parliament that 3400 riots took place in the country from 2016 to 2020 (Click here for details). Besides causing loss of life and property, the riots leave a trail of destruction and damage in terms of harmony, social relations and mutual trust. The causes of conflagrations need serious cogitation.

Imposing dome of Council House, UP
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The democratic setup in India is leaned heavily on the arithmetics of votes. The public vote count determines the fate of a party or a candidate. During the 2019 general elections, out of ninety-one crore twenty lakh eligible voters, 67% cast their votes. The huge voter turnout lures the political parties to attract voters in their favour. Religion, community, caste and creed are used to garner support. Polarized minority votes have attracted politicians for a long. It has been the decisive factor to win an election. A fragmented society thus becomes a philosopher’s stone, a dire necessity for parochial political gains. Suspicion, mistrust and terror are the building blocks of communal frenzy. An unseen but effective system has sprung up to operate, rule and mastermind the communal frenzy. It is terrifying and damaging to society.

Instead of canvassing about the developmental work and assurance about the future, the thrust on divisive politics appears more convenient to political parties, hence division and conflagrations. A ‘philosopher-king’ is a utopia and absolute is impossible. Good and bad, evil and virtue are the two aspects of the same coin. A good balance is a need for time to have a healthy and sustainable society with minimal outlaws.

Lotus flower
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From corruption to transparency: Strife to Move from Murk to Limpid

Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha
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Political patronages to corrupt and hardcore criminals, choosing them as party candidates to fight the election and inducting them in politics started gaining prominence. The country has seen ex dacoits, culprits and hoodwinkers as lawmakers who get police security at the cost of public exchequer.

Recent incidences in the country have thrown many quizzes on a custom (?) which albeit was apparent but accepted as a way of life by the people. Mingled with the social fabric, it was gradually being institutionalized. Considered a good evil, it is the corruption that ailed the society but could not be contained and people have obstreperously accepted it. One more link was added to the chain. Maharastra Home Minister Mr Anil Deshmukh resigned from the office on 05-April-2021, on the pretext of moral grounds but in reality on the grounds of corruption charges. He resigned following the Hon’ble High Court’s order of CBI enquiry on a petition filed by Ex-Police Commissioner Mumbai, Mr Parambir Singh. Hon’ble High Court order and the resignation has opened a Pandora’s Box, besides disturbing the hornet’s nest.

The incidence is not novel. The nation has witnessed many scams, corruption cases and related legal battles in past. There were cases involving scams in the defence deal, coal scam, spectrum distribution and so on. The list is long. Presently, a person who was holding a constitutional post has been implicated in money extortion through police. The incumbent minister represents people’s faith, expectations and aspirations. He takes an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution. His integrity ought to be unquestionable. The breach of trust is serious. Clean and effective leadership is key to efficient functioning and proper delivery. Corruption at the highest level corrupts the whole system and sinks it deep down in the cesspool. Constitutional machinery, the linchpin of the system, becomes a horrible cannibalistic tool when the key functionaries enter in nexus with criminally minded people to extract money by unfair and illegal means. It shatters the mass confidence leading to an anarchic situation. It is good that an unbiased CBI enquiry has been ordered by the court which would bring the facts to light and culprits to the book. 

The ailment of corruption is age-old and related to the individual psyche but the degree is controllable. Thinking about a corruption-free society, however, is a utopia. Considering it a potential threat to society and its functioning, corruption has since long been considered an offence. It has been viewed with disdain and people involved in it were considered criminal and penalized as per the law of time. Even today, some countries observing medieval feudal laws have stringent punishment provisions for proven guilty of corruption including amputations and/or blinding. 

People are taught since their childhood about the merits of honesty, dedication and sanctimony. They are expected to observe honesty since it was the best policy. Punishing and penalizing petty offenders and patronizing powerful criminals is discriminatory. Finding high profile criminals who are neck-deep in corruption roaming scot-free, people feel cheated and bewildered. It adversely affects security, safety and public order leading to chaos.

 

Majestic Dome of Vidhan Sabha
Picture by Author

India, as we all know, is a multi-religious, multilingual nation with diverse culture and customs. One thing which runs like a silver line is the feeling of one unison. It comes from the organic thought process of nationalism. Every Indian feel and own with proud in their nationality. Despite that country was vivisected on religious grounds followed by cataclysmic conflagrations, arson and massacre which led thousands to transmigrate from their soil, people wanted a society wherein everyone could get one's legitimate due as per their share and labour. We adopted a constitution and declared ourselves a democratic, secular and socialistic republic. After seven and half decades, in 2022, the nation would be celebrating the diamond jubilee of freedom. It is time to look back, introspect and evaluate our system and achievements vis a vis our goals and delivery. 

People while getting freedom have had aspirations. They wished to have a society free from oppression, discrimination, exploitation and disparity. Committed themselves to the cause of peaceful coexistence both in-house and in the matter of external affairs, people yearned for a fair and corruption-free system of their own. Have people’s aspirations fulfilled? Let us descry the incidences. 

People saw the gradual waning of systemic authority. The helpless and sometimes timid state was seen as ambivalent. Most decisions were heavily lopsided because of the corrupt practices and parochial motives. At the start, it was veiled but with time progressively gained prominence and now has occupied the centre stage. Corruption is not only about taking a bribe or monetary favour but it resides in the mind and thoughts as well. It, percolating down to the psyche and thought process, becomes disastrous. History testifies that empires were felled down because of this menace. 

Political patronages to corrupt and hardcore criminals, choosing them as party candidates to fight the election and inducting them in politics started gaining prominence. The country has seen ex dacoits, culprits and hoodwinkers as lawmakers who get police security at the cost of public exchequer. Not only this, they take part in voting on vital issues and participate in law-making activities in parliament. Some of them, though, have been acquitted but most of them are convicted with cases pending against them in serious sections of law books. 

Corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and police personnel are not in singularity. The increasing numbers of elected members having criminal records point out this stark reality. "The Hindu" in its 26 May 2019 edition had reported that 43% of newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs had a criminal record, that is, about half the number of elected members are tainted. The trend has seeped into services as well. The involvement of the members of bureaucracy in corrupt practices is increasing exponentially. The magnitude is such that those who want to play fair are sidelined, frequently transferred or punished in frivolous charges. In reply to a question asked in Lok Sabha, Mr Jitendra Singh Minister of State for Personnel said in the House that a total of 753 complaints were received against the IAS officers in 2019-20 and 643 in 2018-19. The number has progressively increased from 380 in 2015-16 to 623 in 2017-18. The number of corruption cases is on rising in every other All India Service cadres including IPS. The waning premier services, considered to be the backbone of Indian bureaucracy, is the testimony of the decaying system. 

The frequent whimsical transfers of government officers had since long been an open secret. It had taken as a source of easy money and a way to mint money by all concerned. It is rather a state policy. Despite having a perennial detailed transfer policy, the industry (!) used to mint money, flouting the norms and taking advantage of the saving clause. 

The growing corruption in electoral politics is the outcome of lust for power. The candidates used to pump money in the process to get votes. The illegitimate money was used in bribing people and the system. The inflow of money has had a system of funding circulated in the system created the notion of development. The use of money and muscle power vitiated the whole system, affected the works. The rampant corruption not only ails but also gnaws away the legitimate right of genuine beneficiaries as well. Thanks to the Election Commission of India and The Supreme Court which put up hurdles in the path of galloping corruption in electoral politics. A lot more still to be done.  

The nation pays the cost of corruption dearly. It reflects in every walks of life. Irregularities in government constructions, medical facilities and tangential favour to private hospitals are among several such examples. It hits hard to not so well off people.  

  

In ongoing state elections of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Pudducherry, corruption figured prominently. Words 'Tolabaazi' and 'Cut Money' has frequently been used to expose the degree of corruption in the government machinery. It was institutionalized, and the musclemen of local political parties were press in to collect illicit money. It hinders the development prospects of the country. Late Sri Rajeev Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, had pointed it out in 1985. Speaking in Kalahandi, he had said that of every rupee spent by the government, only 15 paise reached the poor. It had been the degree of corruption.

Electoral politics rely on votes. In a country like India that is vast, populated and diversified it is an uphill task to have a unitary system of elections. The election process is vast and lengthy. The political parties, vying for votes, try every tact to garner votes and seats. In the rat race, they try to catch hold of every opportunity to win a seat. They prefer candidates who can win by their qualities of religion, caste, money or muscle power. Ostensibly, money or muscle power is a clear winner of the race. The desired or able candidate loses the battle, and thus corruption goes on.

Who will bell the cat, then? The onus is onto us. It is strife, nay, armageddon. The war against corruption is tedious but not difficult to win. Determined WE THE PEOPLE would win it.  

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Secularism: Reality or Rhetoric

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The concept of governance that advocates and aims to implement equality and justice for nationals of a country, irrespective of their religion and caste, secularism and its way of implementation is under the scanner. India is a declared 'Secular' country. Objectively speaking, with a highly complex brain and society, the near ultimate outcome of organic evolution Homo sapiens ought to be equal. They must not be discriminated against on religion, ethnicity, skin colour et cetera. It would be misbegotten to confine them in religious and sectarian compartments. It is, therefore, imperative that the state should be non-aligned to religion; untouched by religious dogma. Law of the land ought to be equal for all its citizens. The theory appears rosy but is it the ground reality too?

Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said that the word secularism was the biggest threat to develop India's prosperous traditions and give it a spot on the global stage. Speaking on the occasion of the first launch of the edition of the Global Encyclopedia of Ramayana on 06-March-2021, he was referring to the way of using the principle in the past. The supposedly 'unconstitutional' remarks, however, received severe criticism from Asaduddin Owaisi, head of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a party that draws its nourishment from sectarian ideology in the name of secularism. The words like 'Secularism', 'Secular Forces' and 'Communal' et cetera have been the favourite catchwords for politicians who often use it to create a bogey of communal spectre and polarization of votes.

The idea that religion should neither be a guiding principle nor should it interfere with governance fits well with secularism. In 508 BC, when the concept of democracy was introduced in ancient Greek, people except women and slaves were given voting rights. Each citizen had had a single vote. The society was predominantly theistic that gave priority to religion and social status. The ancient states were not indifferent to religion. Tabernacles, lofty temples, synagogues, churches and mosques were patronized and often constructed by states. Talking or preaching against the beaten principles of religion was considered blasphemy and the culprits were brutally executed. The concept of secularism albeit occupied the thought process of early Greek and Roman philosophers, it is not antediluvian. Relatively new, the term ‘Secularism’ was first used by British writer George Holyoake.  

With the growing prominence of intellect, the Age of Enlightenment started in 17th and 18th century Europe. The advocacy for the separation of religion and church from the governance started gaining ground. Thoughts accorded a sovereign status and the perception considered as the only valid source of knowledge. The changing perceptions were bound to develop cracks in the bastion of the intolerant, religion-based political system wherein the king was supposed to be the representative of God and the clergy as his aides. The opposition of the system was unacceptable and used to be brutally crushed.

In the Indian thought process, Charvaka were the main exponent of philosophy who put thoughts and perception on a high pedestal. Religious tolerance gradually made inroads. In the 3rd century BC, Ashoka the Great appealed to his subjects to follow religious tolerance and treat other religions with respect (Rock Edict - XII). In the 19th century India, devout Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjeet Singh honouring other faiths had soldiers of different religions in his legions.  

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The medieval period of Indian history witnessed a watertight and intolerant system of governance of monarchs. They invaded and looted India. Some established their kingdom. Invaders became emperors who happened to be dynastic, wishes of whom used to be a command. Proselytization was a state policy. Non-muslims and Hindu natives were considered inferior subjects. Their faiths were corrupted, routed and trampled; the ‘jizya’ tax was imposed on them. In northern India especially, Hindu temples were desecrated, idols of deities were beheaded and temple materials were used to construct mosques deliberately on the fallen temple spots to trample the self-esteem of Hindus. The opposition was dealt with brutally and the 'culprits' were tortured to death. Rulers like Akbar, portrayed as a tolerant monarch, were religious bigots for a fairly long time.

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The divide on religious lines was distinct during the British empire in India. They encouraged religious intolerance and created a furrow between Hindus and Muslims to establish and strengthen their rule, especially post-1857. In an upheaval against the British East India Company, both Hindus and Muslims participated in the joint operation and courageously fought the first war of independence in 1857, termed ‘mutiny’ by Britons. Even though that the upheaval was crushed and henceforth governance was taken over by the British crown, Britons sensed the threat of joint native force. Slowly and meticulously divide was created to appease a section of society. In 1909 an Act was promulgated to constitute a separate electorate for Muslims. Later it was furthered to include other communities as well by the Government of India Act, 1919. Cracks started appearing between Hindus and Muslims - the communities that fought as one in the first combat against foreign rule. The foundation of the Muslim league in 1906 ensured the divide on a religious basis culminating in India's vivisection in 1947. 

Party spearheading the freedom movement in India sans Muslim League had been in favour of collective fight without any discrimination. Many illustrious leaders like Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Rafi Ahmad Kidwai contributed positively to the fight for freedom. Gandhiji wanted a wholly tolerant India with its religions working side by side with one another. However, there was a section of society that had a different ideology. Muslim League, which was constituted with the sole aim to garner the support of the Muslim population, started demanding a separate state for they could 'not live with Hindus'. They propounded “Two Nation Theory” and impetuously worked on it. Fierce communal riots were instigated, causing panic and colossal loss of lives and properties. People started transmigrating well before the actual vivisection of India. They were aghast, did not know as to why they were being displaced from their soil.

Freedom came staggering; India was freed but paid a heavy price. The nation was lacerated, wounded and vivisected. Rampant communal conflagrations started on the call of "Direct Action" by the Muslim League. Large scale arson, loot and violence had left people in the lurch. Newly established Pakistan chose to be an Islamic state, but India opted for a secular structure. Religiously intolerant Pakistan became hellish for non-muslims. In India, however, Nehru was for a robust system indifferent to religion. The first Prime Minister of free India, Pt. Nehru was a visionary. He was an atheist but not anti-religious. For a country like India, which is pluralistic and varied with many cultures, languages and religious practices, secular democracy was the option that aligned to many west educated Indian leaders of the time. The Constitution, adopted in 1950, guaranteed the citizens a society free from religious interference but simultaneously gave them individual freedom of religious practice. It had to be a harmonious society. Article 14, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution ensures freedom of expression, worship, and work. There is no state religion. Article 25 of the Constitution ensures “Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion”, while Article 26 gives the right to establish, manage and maintain every religious denomination or any section thereof. These provisions ensure individual freedom which aligns with Nehru’s thoughts. Later, with an amendment in the Constitution adopted in 1976 (42nd Amendment Act, 1976), “We The People of India” resolved “To constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular Democratic Republic”. India was now a ‘Secular’ country not tangentially but directly.  

Coming to the point of implementation, it is limpid that the Constitution and its provisions ought to be followed in its letter and spirit. Interpretation of the Constitutional provisions is under the purview of the judiciary. Interpretations and explanations of the constitutional provisions have been done by the judiciary from time to time. The Hon'ble Supreme Court upheld that preamble was part of the Constitution and could be amended. Secularism became a cromulent state policy after its inclusion in the preamble, therefore, it has to be observed diligently. In practicality, however, a deviation is witnessed. 

The electoral politics of India is a complex process. In a society with different languages, groups and sub-groups, customs and practices amalgamated with diversified regional patterns, an absolute system are difficult, if not impossible, to have. The number of votes and the ability to convert votes into seats is the crux of forming the government. The political party or the conglomerate of parties that gets majority seats can form the government. Ostensibly it is the vote which is a decisive factor in government formation. Political parties in India started eying on en bloc vote-share of minority voters. In all practicality, political parties prefer to choose their candidates based on religion, caste, creed and influence in elections occurring after lustrum.

In the rat race of getting votes, the political parties started making alliances ignoring the fundamentals of ethics and compromising ideology. The ‘Grand Old Party’, Congress, having the onus of carrying the torch of Nehruvian secularism, showed the inclination for ‘Vote-bank Politics’. They enter into alliances with sectarian regional parties which have been vocal against the majority sentiments and lopsidedly critical to them. Congress allied with Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Kerala, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam, and Indian Secular Front (ISF) in Bengal for parochial motives. Parties vying for Muslim votes are seen in the mad race to show themselves as their Messiah, shunning secularism and following preposterous appeasement policy. In the over-enthusiasm for appeasement, they even declared that minorities, particularly Muslims, have the first claim on the government resources while some claimed that they would strife and die for the Muslim cause. People of the country saw that Puja in Bengal was banned while religious processions of minorities were permitted. Iftar parties organized by the Chief Ministers of States and at the President House happened to be the ludicrous show of appeasement blatantly flouting norms of the Constitution. 

The dent in the secular philosophy which started appearing in the period of Late (Mrs) Indira Gandhi, deepened when the then Prime Minister late Mr Rajeev Gandhi, yielding to the clergy pressure, turned turtle the verdict of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Shah Bano case and later tried to pacify majority by letting open the gates at ‘Ram Janmabhoomi’. Vexed, especially after December 1992, the issue of 'Ram Janmabhoomi' has now been settled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court after a very long legal battle. Numerous communal conflagrations took place which shook the very root of the system. People are now witnessing the pantomime of temple hopping and flaunting ‘Janeu’ by leaders of political parties ostensibly to balance the act of appeasement and to lure majority voters. 

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was probably referring to fake secularism in practice. Appeasement of a section of society was nothing but lip service. It harmed the minorities who had been kept frightened and lured with freebies. They went up to an extent of disintegrating the social and national unity by favouring those who are a potential threat. The support for Rohangiyas and eyebrow-raising on the Army actions are but few instances. Muslims feel cheated and cornered except for those who are getting a major chunk of the cake. The people are smart, they understand the acts. 

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Secularism is not about appeasing a group or two. Appeasement is discriminatory and is against the spirit of the Constitution. The law of land treats everyone the same. Fruits of development are for all. A socialist, secular and democratic setup is unitary, not only in words but also in full practicality. The step-motherly treatment towards the majority section of society gives way to social discontent, which is detrimental to the nation. Each citizen contributes their share for the emancipation and development of the nation. It is equally important that the majority population have a tolerant and compassionate attitude towards minorities. There is no place for fear, haterade and suspicion among the sections of the society. Mutual trust, understanding and respect are the keys to harmonious coexistence. This is the essence and spirit of the Constitution that the eminent members of the constituent assembly envisaged while preparing the voluminous and exhaustive document which is the sole source of governance in free India. 

                                       Photo: by author

Social Media: Boon or Bane

Recently, Social Media attracted eyeballs. The alleged biased attitude of Facebook, famous social networking site was in the eyes of the storm. The government was charged for ostensibly misusing the platform for their selfish motive. The issue raised a furore. Government and the ruling party were under heavy shelling of opposition. Heated arguments and counter-arguments put forth about the Social Media platform. Ironically, the mainstream media which obtain their substantial quota of scoops from Social Media were the front-runners in the race of scathing.  

The present time is an era of information. The society is running on information superhighway wherein delivering and receiving contents is fast, secure and on a real-time basis.  It has opened up an entirely new vista. Like Hide Park of England, it is a platform where anyone can vent out oneself. Till recently unaccustomed to such freedom, people seem bewildered and startled. Know not how to use it effectively, they are experimenting in rather a different way. More often than not, people are using the new technology ludicrously not the way it should be. Though misused, social media has helped to unearth many hitherto unknown facts.

With computers getting smaller, lighter, powerful and easy to carry the content production, their upload and retrieval have also become fast and convenient. The Smart-phone technology has augmented the spread of Social Media by shortening the cumbersome process of content creation, processing and transmission to a great extent. The reduced data cost has added its share in the exponential growth of Social Media Platform. 

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool. With the army of individual users, it becomes all the more powerful. It helps to reach a large number of audiences and affect their viewpoints. Political parties use it for canvassing and proliferation of their ideas. Various media houses find it easy to promote their medium and get large viewership. In the recent past, it was grossly misused for rumour and hate-mongering to disrupt public order and creating anarchy as well. Albeit it is difficult to ignore the ever-evolving social media platform, but it needs to be regulated by law. 

A convoluted society like ours is a motley aggregation of people where every individual has something to say. Asking questions is the key to a free and frank society where every citizen has the right to express their views guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and Section 10 of The Human Rights Act 1998. People, however, tend to thrust their views onto others which culminates in a heated discussion. Such is the hardening of attitude that they behave like a bigot and intolerant. To make an argument heavy(?), use of abusive language is becoming frequent. It is unacceptable in a civilized society. However, it is not only so-called Social Media which is to be blamed, increased acrimony and use of choicest words on TV debates are also gaining currency. Unexpectedly, TV channels promote filthy languages and loose-talks apparently for their TRPs. The deterioration in quality is frequent and rampant. 

A healthy discussion is an indication of sound knowledge, and a deep understanding of the topic panellists have. It is, therefore, imperative that the participants adhere to those qualities. Lopsided and unfounded arguments cause infuriation. At times during the discussion, commotion and a tug-of-war like situation occur among the panellists. Nevertheless, it does not give a person to use offensive language. The discussions would be decent and fruitful only when the arguments are courteously put forth, respecting sentiments of all. Contrarily, a steep decline in the quality of debates on TV and social media platform is becoming recurrent. It affects daily lives as well. 

The growing resentment against the social media platform is because of the increasing verbal duets, use of abusive language and unwillingness of participants for a mic drop.  People are part of society. The individual behaviour affects society in general. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the individual to use this technology judiciously. With logical concept-formation buttressed by reasoning and observing restrain, the use of social media can be made more effective. 

Blazing Saga of Success: India, Years after Independence

The nation celebrated its 74th independence day. The celebrations took us back in a time of euphoria. For people born post-independence, especially in the seventies and after, it is a matter of imagination. The period happened to be laden with the fervour of festivity and expression of ecstasy which would come from within hearts. The school children in uniforms would circumambulate city roads holding the national flag, raising slogans and singing patriotic songs. After the culmination of flag hosting, sweetmeats were distributed. 

Three-fourth of a century has passed since 'WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA' attained freedom after years of strife and supreme sacrifices of illustrious freedom-fighters and people. The journey all through had been an arduous one. Newly liberated but vivisected and bleeding nation was passing through traumatic times. Post-partition exodus had changed many things. Looted and dejected, the desperate victims of communal frenzy continuously poured in. Confidence building among people and rehabilitation of refugees were of utmost importance. The country had to be rebuild. Since then, we have come a long way. Constitution was adopted; paired with a robust system of governance the country staggeringly rose, started a journey on the path of progress. During the difficult times when the nation was rising, the hostile neighbours back-stabbed and thrust five wars. 

Despite all odds, people took up the daunting task of rebuilding a new nation with firm resolve, commitment and missionary zeal. The path was rough and the journey arduous. The journey started with initial hiccups. Initially, the pace of development was neither fast nor was focussed because of the feeble governments, unable to take tough decisions. The rampant corruption caused delayed completion of the projects with sub-standard results. A large number of villages were unelectrified and devoid of basic amenities like clean drinking water, health and sanitation. Infrastructure development was equal to nothing. The loopholes have now been plugged and the lethargic system revamped. 

Despite all odds, however, we have come to the point of take-off. Speaking from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August 2020, Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi said that there was a need to give a new direction to the overall infrastructure development of the country. He emphasized the importance of breaking the era of "working in silos".

Villages are now clean and uncluttered with CC drains, roads, sanitation and toilets. The fruit of technologies is reaching rural areas that are being connected with optical fibre networks to augment the use of information and computer technology. Prime Minister Modi laid the aim of connecting six lakh villages with the optical fibre network within 1000 days. Farmers are now becoming more self-reliant; getting appropriate returns of their produce. Rural poor womenfolks have been provided with gas connections and burners to cook food in a healthy environment with ease.

Defence forces are getting modern warfare, ammunitions and communication networks. In sharp contrast to the time of 1962 when the Bravehearts fought with bare minimum amenities and outdated weapons on high altitude under frigid conditions, the adequately equipped armed forces are on guard, face to face with the enemy at LAC and LOC. The borders, under the able surveillance of alert security forces and army, are now safe. Efficacious patrolling has significantly contained infiltration and aggression. The perpetrators of terrorism have been cornered and befittingly replied. Bharat, now a self-sustaining and powerful nation, is being viewed with respect all over the world. The hostile neighbours with the expansionist ideology, have realized it thoroughly. 

With a whooping139 crores population, India is the second most populous and seventh-largest country is the world's largest democracy. Blessed with lingual diversity, customs and cultures, India is one from length and breadth. A firm believer in democratic values, people tend to resolve differences and intricate problems through dialogues under the framework of the Constitution. Momentous and historical decisions, taken in the recent past, testify to the maturity of people. Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A pertaining to Jammu&Kashmir and Ladakh. Albeit an integral part of India, there were serious discrepancies. The state was divided into two separate areas declaring them Union Territories simultaneous to abrogation. Terror funding by Pakistan has effectively been curtailed and till now the terror-ridden area is fast returning to normalcy. 

With such a vast geographical area and huge but creative population problems are intrinsic. The state that reeled under terrorism and anarchy has to be brought back to normalcy. The present government is addressing issues with utmost care as per law and norms. The opposition is a crucial component in a democratic setup. Constructive opposition is a linchpin of the system which helps in steering the government to move in a proper direction. It not only points out the flaws of government and criticizes it but suggests means as well. It is incumbent upon them to maintain dignity and keep the national interest in mind while doing so. The opposition loses its sheen when to remain in the limelight for parochial gains, it starts aimless scathing without suggesting healthy means and considering the facts. It amounts to befooling people. A balance ought to be maintained for a healthy democracy to flourish. It will help in the speedy development process.