The Failing Idea Of India
By Shah Faisal
23 October,
2008
Countercurrents.org
As old as the land itself,
is perhaps that something called the "idea" of India. We
may debate it, but it can not be refuted that this idea is as organic
and alive now as the history had once sculptured it. But at the same
time, it is no longer as inviting and impressive as it used to be
once. The problem is not that the change is drastic but the problem
is that the change is adverse. It seems as if heroes and villains
of this land have swapped their places. Buddha personified this idea
once but now bandits and barbarians have adjusted it to their own
frame.
It signified
Vaishali once, that grand ancient city which boasted of
being one of the earliest republics known to mankind. But now this
idea reminds of Gujrat, the excesses of Maharashtra Navnirvana Sena
and the bruised-backs of Bihari labourers. The idea was glorified
by Megasthenes or Huen Sang one day but now routine assaults on foreign
tourists and chastisement by International media, be it about poverty
levels or human rights abuses belies that reputation. Once upon a
time Gandhiji was the mentor of this idea but now Modi is. The India
that took pride for famed universities and seats of learning once
is illiterate beyond remedy now. The prosperity of yore is long forgotten
and it is the abject poverty now that rules. The idea envisaged renunciation
once, but now it implies corruption. It meant tolerance and diversity
but now it is synonymous with Kandhamal massacre and
Muslim-bashing. The idea that conveyed a conservative sense of the
morality has now been held hostage by gay-rights activists. With degradation
of its constituent institutions, principles, people,
places, practices the image that this "idea" of India brought
to mind once is deformed and mutilated beyond recognition now.
India is
a secular socialist democratic republic in principle. But
off-late, we have seen how India's secularism was put on sale in
Orissa and Karnataka by its own people. The socialism that Jawaharlal
Nehru swore by has become meaningless in wake of the starvation-deaths
in poverty-stricken districts of Madhya Pradesh and AP. And more so,
just a decrepit structure has perhaps remained of the democratic credentials
that was so admired by Europe and America. It is an irony that in
India people have become powerless while special powers have been
gifted away to army and police. Those much-talked about freedoms that
Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteed to citizens of India are
now subservient to pleasure of the executive. The three pillars that
shouldered the high-dome of democracy are now shaking like
never-before. The cash-for-votes scam related to July 22
confidence-vote in Parliament and subsequent enquiry and recent
expulsion of Babulal Katara and alike is just a heart-breaking
incident. A record 11 MPs have been disqualified from the 14th Lok
Sabha so far that is in itself a pointer to the level that Indian
democracy has descended to. When Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief made
public its claim to Chief Ministership of that state by arm-twisting
the UPA-coalition, it was enough indicator of an irresponsible legislative
that India has come to rely on. And the last nail in the coffin came
in the form of a judiciary charged of tainted practices that finds
itself now under the microscope of Supreme Court and an upcoming National
Judicial Commission. All said and done it is clear that the India
is running away as fast from its sacred precincts of democracy and
secularism as it is approaching the pinnacle of economic and scientific
progress. India may have journeyed towards the moon aboard the Chandrayaan
1 but the real idea of India is in dire-straits and crying for help.
In last
sixty-two years the image of India has never perhaps taken
those perilous dives as it is now comfortable with. There was disease,
poverty, illiteracy, lack of development sometime back also but the
larger image of India was as impressive and unscathed. And now there
is progress, special economic zones, space programme, agricultural
and economic boom but ironically the long-cherished idea of India
is failing. The dark side of the bright picture is becoming increasingly
visible. India as a nation is at cross-roads. India as a democracy
is in jeopardy. India as a birth-place of different religions and
spirituality is given away to riots and violence. The whole idea of
India is pleading for mercy.
The intention
here is not to churn out a contemptuous critique
against India but the real purpose is to provide some food for thought
and introspection. If there are achievements to pride over, there
are even larger issues to be worried and concerned about. The slogan
of incredible India can not be materialized unless the country gets
rid of the numerous ailments affecting its social and political institutions.
The parliament will have to restore its own reputation before repairing
other pillars of the democracy. Fundamental rights of the citizens
are to be safeguarded against all odds. The rule of law as Dicey had
once propounded is to be enforced in the real spirit. Criminal politicians,
rioters, hooligans who keep on bringing shame to India will have to
be thrown into the nether-trenches of hell. Empowerment of the people
and restoring the honour of public institutions has to be assured.
The fourth-pillar of state viz media is to be strengthened and the
right to information has to be made more meaningful. Political parties
with communal agenda must be banned and a sense of security extended
to sense of security extended to minorities and their conditions improved.
The quality of life of an ordinary citizen living in some remote corner
of rural India will have to change. But most importantly the real
reform has to take place at the level of policy-making with attenuation
of an arrogant political and bureaucratic class. There can be no better
way of underscoring the real idea of India than reminding the present
rulers of India what Mark Twain had said once.
That "India is the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and million gods- the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free. The land that all men desire to see and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the world combined." Even if nobody listens, let Thakareys and Modis atleast take a note please.
