In Nov 1949, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had declared that social democracy would have to be the bedrock for the success of political democracy.
He said -“...If we wish to preserve the Constitution in which we have sought to enshrine the principle of Government of the people, for the people and by the people, let us resolve not to be tardy in the recognition of the evils that lie across our path and which induce people to prefer Government for the people to Government by the people, nor to be weak in our initiative to remove them.”
He emphasised in having a Govt. "by" the people as against a Govt. "for" the people, and to remove the evils which induce people to prefer a Govt. for the people.
Since Independence, have we had a Govt. by the people or did we always have a ‘Sarkar mai baap’ Govt. for the people? If we had the latter, then what are the evils that have induced people to prefer a Govt. for the people over a Govt. by the people? Can we view the present uprising from this perspective?
The process of 'first past the post' elections always threw up a Govt. supported by merely 30-35% of the electorate which voted. This means that almost 60% of the electorate was against the Govt. of the day.
Nation building requires the participation of all sections of society, not merely of the elite. From farm labourers, to craftsmen, from judges to peddlers, from bureaucrats to mechanics, from ministers to housewives, from businessmen to farmers, from journalists to nurses, from tycoons to the unemployed, it has to be all inclusive.
During the last 70 years, we have witnessed that only the elite has controlled the five pivotal pillars of democracy- Politics, Bureaucracy, Judiciary, Business and Media. This was because of the hereditary factor, as entry was strictly restricted by birth. Only the upper castes gained entry, excepting in the legislature and bureaucracy where reserved seats ensured a minimal participation of the lower castes. It was aristocracy in disguise. The difference between a democracy and a monarchy/aristocracy is that there is a genuine level playing field in a democracy and anyone can reach any level in any sector by virtue of his efforts. In the last 70 years, we see a denial of this level field, as the hereditary concept of caste barricaded all elite sectors.
The present caste composition in Judiciary, Media and Business is so lopsided that the upper castes (merely 15% of the population), control these three sectors by virtue of heredity. 90-95% of these posts are manned by only upper castes. Thus, 85% of the population has minimal or nil representation in these three sectors, even after 70 years of Independence. Even in the sectors of Legislatures and Bureaucracy; where representation is ensured by reservations, the upper castes manage to keep all important posts to themselves.
The present uprising stems from this denial, as the youth today are aware of their rights and want to take part in nation building. It appears that the attempts of major opposition party/leaders to join the protests, are being stonewalled silently. The angst of the populace is against all the established parties of the past 70 years. The composition of the protestors, mainly consists of those; who have been denied a role in nation building. Students, unemployed youth, women, lower castes, minorities, have come together and made it their common cause.
The past few years have shown us how a de jure parliamentary system can be made de facto into a presidential system. All this was done, without the backing of law. So you have a handful people running a de facto monarchical system, which is designed to be a parliamentary democracy.
Indians are by and large tolerant and accommodating by nature. The immediate spark may be the CAA-NRC, but the angst runs deeper. It is the feeling of having been taken for a ride. The state’s turning a blind eye towards the crumbling economy, rising unemployment, brutal and cruel response to complaints and protests, are adding fuel to the fire. The biggest insult to a student, is to be named as a misguided ignoramus.
The casteist, chauvinistic, elitist "so called" mainstream, treated the masses as morons, all along. In fact the real mainstream of women, students, OBCs, SCs, STs, Minorities, is now reclaiming its position on the streets of India.
Merely repealing the CAA may not stop the uprising.
Some suggestions:
He said -“...If we wish to preserve the Constitution in which we have sought to enshrine the principle of Government of the people, for the people and by the people, let us resolve not to be tardy in the recognition of the evils that lie across our path and which induce people to prefer Government for the people to Government by the people, nor to be weak in our initiative to remove them.”
He emphasised in having a Govt. "by" the people as against a Govt. "for" the people, and to remove the evils which induce people to prefer a Govt. for the people.
Since Independence, have we had a Govt. by the people or did we always have a ‘Sarkar mai baap’ Govt. for the people? If we had the latter, then what are the evils that have induced people to prefer a Govt. for the people over a Govt. by the people? Can we view the present uprising from this perspective?
The process of 'first past the post' elections always threw up a Govt. supported by merely 30-35% of the electorate which voted. This means that almost 60% of the electorate was against the Govt. of the day.
Nation building requires the participation of all sections of society, not merely of the elite. From farm labourers, to craftsmen, from judges to peddlers, from bureaucrats to mechanics, from ministers to housewives, from businessmen to farmers, from journalists to nurses, from tycoons to the unemployed, it has to be all inclusive.
During the last 70 years, we have witnessed that only the elite has controlled the five pivotal pillars of democracy- Politics, Bureaucracy, Judiciary, Business and Media. This was because of the hereditary factor, as entry was strictly restricted by birth. Only the upper castes gained entry, excepting in the legislature and bureaucracy where reserved seats ensured a minimal participation of the lower castes. It was aristocracy in disguise. The difference between a democracy and a monarchy/aristocracy is that there is a genuine level playing field in a democracy and anyone can reach any level in any sector by virtue of his efforts. In the last 70 years, we see a denial of this level field, as the hereditary concept of caste barricaded all elite sectors.
The present caste composition in Judiciary, Media and Business is so lopsided that the upper castes (merely 15% of the population), control these three sectors by virtue of heredity. 90-95% of these posts are manned by only upper castes. Thus, 85% of the population has minimal or nil representation in these three sectors, even after 70 years of Independence. Even in the sectors of Legislatures and Bureaucracy; where representation is ensured by reservations, the upper castes manage to keep all important posts to themselves.
The present uprising stems from this denial, as the youth today are aware of their rights and want to take part in nation building. It appears that the attempts of major opposition party/leaders to join the protests, are being stonewalled silently. The angst of the populace is against all the established parties of the past 70 years. The composition of the protestors, mainly consists of those; who have been denied a role in nation building. Students, unemployed youth, women, lower castes, minorities, have come together and made it their common cause.
The past few years have shown us how a de jure parliamentary system can be made de facto into a presidential system. All this was done, without the backing of law. So you have a handful people running a de facto monarchical system, which is designed to be a parliamentary democracy.
Indians are by and large tolerant and accommodating by nature. The immediate spark may be the CAA-NRC, but the angst runs deeper. It is the feeling of having been taken for a ride. The state’s turning a blind eye towards the crumbling economy, rising unemployment, brutal and cruel response to complaints and protests, are adding fuel to the fire. The biggest insult to a student, is to be named as a misguided ignoramus.
The casteist, chauvinistic, elitist "so called" mainstream, treated the masses as morons, all along. In fact the real mainstream of women, students, OBCs, SCs, STs, Minorities, is now reclaiming its position on the streets of India.
Merely repealing the CAA may not stop the uprising.
Some suggestions:
1) The hereditary system will have to be abandoned, and the doors of
the palaces will have to be opened to all sections of society in real terms,
for participation in nation building.
2) Practice of discriminatory Caste system along with Scriptures
propagating the same, will have to be declared as illegal, and deterrent
punishment for proclamation of caste will have to be imposed.
3) Women will have to be given complete freedom as individuals,
having complete control over their own mind and body.
4) Primary education will have to be strengthened and teachers
will have to be given high salaries to draw excellent talent.
5) Govt. will have to be a real service provider to the citizens.
6) Media will have to be with the citizen and not with the state.
7) Citizens will have to be treated with respect not suspicion.
8) Reform instead of punishment will have to be emphasised.
9) Revenge cannot be treated as justice.
The list goes on...
We face a long winter!
Rightly said . Vulnerable section need not be vulnerable anymore
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