Political Diary

New Delhi, 18 December 2015

Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat

MANTRA FOR SOCIAL HARMONY

By Dr S Saraswathi

(Former Director, ICSSR, New Delhi)

A proposal to present a scheme aimed at strengthening national unity and communal harmony is put before the nation by Prime Minister. Labelled as “Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat” (“One India, best India”), it stands in sharp contrast to the bitter political atmosphere prevailing over recent tolerance-intolerance and vendetta debates among political parties.

The idea, mooted by Modi in his speech on Sardar Patel’s anniversary, was elaborated later in his monthly radio talk “Mann ki baat”. He wants to give shape to the idea as a scheme to promote the culture of unity of the nation. The object is to connect each and every Indian with the mantra of unity and harmony.

The Prime Minister has invited suggestions from the public regarding such a scheme – its details, structure, organization, participation, etc. The government and the society are expected to participate in the scheme which is conceived for the good of the nation as a whole.

The idea has come at a crucial time when the nation absolutely needs to strengthen itself with the abundant human resources available in the country, and make progress instead of frittering the precious resources in mutual conflict. A nation progresses only when the entire population benefits. Shresht Bharat, by its very meaning, cannot be restricted to a few fortunate leaving vast masses untouched. Nor can it be achieved with the help of politicians alone though the call for suggestions has come from the Prime Minister.

The scheme, by its very nature and objective, is a people’s programme. Social unity and harmony are indispensable for progress. Social harmony, in common perception, is confined to religious and caste unity. But, in reality, it encompasses the whole gamut of life and is concerned with every activity and aspect of life.

The concept of social harmony dates back to ancient history. In China, it can be traced to the philosophy of Confucious. A profound saying of this philosopher, quoted by Gandhiji reads: “In a well ordered State, progress is not measured in terms of wealth. The purity of the people and their leaders alone constitutes the true wealth of a nation”.

Gandhiji has also narrated that, Confucious, when asked by a ruler what he ought to do replied: “Be in advance of the people”. Asked for further advice, he is said to have stated: “Do not get tired of doing this”. 

In modern China, it is associated with President Hu Jintao’s ideology of Scientific Development introduced in the beginning of this century and developed by Hu - Wen Administration in 2005 by the National People’s Congress. The central themes were putting people first, and working for comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development.

Hu Jintao aimed at building a “Harmonious Socialist Society”, prosperous and free of social conflict. His rule was characterized by collective leadership and consensual decisions. He sought integrated solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems which emphasize harmonious way of approaching issues.    The emphasis was on balanced approach to development.

The concept was incorporated in the 11^th Plan (2006-10) in China, and also in the constitution of the Chinese Communist Party in 2007.

We are not here concerned about the merits and demerits of Hu Jintao’s rule. The point is the importance of social harmony whatever is the form and substance of political power. Developing countries struggling to cope with economic reforms and to achieve in global competitions cannot afford to remain stuck with domestic social-political conflicts.

Harmonious society, whether in socialist or capitalist regime, cherishes certain main features like democracy, rule of law, equity, justice, sincerity, amity, and vitality. It means in practice, legal equality, equality of opportunity, equal access to healthcare and education, and freedom of choice. It implies absence of deprivations and discriminations, uniform law and uniform application of law, and acceptance of diversities in personal faith and ways of life within legal boundaries.

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In such a society, the fruits of development and progress would reach all without exception. The very grievance, whether founded on facts or fears, that development intensifies the gaps between the rich and the poor is antithetical to harmony.   Economic reforms must close the gaps and not aggravate them if we want harmony and peace to make One India. The economic aspect of harmony, in fact, is a prerequisite for fostering social harmony.   

A balanced approach to development must form the key feature of any development process. There are a number of areas that need to be balanced. The major concerns to be addressed specially are differences based on rural-urban areas, gender differences, economic – environmental interests. 

Poverty alleviation programmes and affirmative action become relevant in this context. For lasting social harmony, these programmes must be so organized as to enable the clientele to stand on their legs without making the clutches permanently attached to them.

Development focusing solely on increasing the GDP is not likely to foster harmony.  Rather, it should include equity and environmental aspects so as to benefit all in contemporary society and safeguard the interests of future generations.

Social and cultural life are indeed central to the problem of building harmonious society to the extent that some understand harmony solely as absence of religious and caste conflicts commonly called communal conflict.

Harmony, however, has much wider connotation emphasizing order and stability in all walks of life. India is thinking of social harmony in the context of economic development as well as growing social disparities and rise of extremist groups.

Religious tolerance and inter-caste amity may be the starting point, but not an end and are not enough to promote solidarity. What is needed is mutual understanding and good-will and not just tolerance to cherish the diversified culture flourishing in the country. For promoting unity, uniformity is not required. In fact, diversities contribute to the greatness of this country and its people. A common misconception is to equate moral life as religious faith which introduces race for conversions.

Social harmony cannot certainly be promoted by sermons or by political order. It has to be grown naturally as people’s choice. Hence, to think of a scheme or a strategy to construct Ek Bharat seems to reduce the concept as a programme. Our object is to promote a spirit of “oneness” which may be termed “Indianness” or “Bharatiya” to avoid the controversial term “Hindutva” though it also means Indianness. 

This spirit should pervade all our thinking and be present in all our activities. No special schemes are required. It should be present in all our schemes. National union in India, as Vivekananda remarked, is the gathering up of all scattered spiritual forces.

Perhaps, there is need for an inspiration to adopt harmonious life. Nationalism was promoted in India by inspiring faith in something concrete – khadi and spindle by Gandhiji, and Bharat Mata by Aurobindo and so on. Building Shresht Bharat is a task of “man-making” – a task undertaken by Swami Vivekananda. Without integration of material and moral life, national integration will become an empty slogan.

Politics, particularly party politics, seems to be the first and worst enemy of social harmony today. Divisive politics, identity politics, minority politics, sub-national affiliations are major impediments to national unity. Politicians need lessons on Ek Bharat much more than common citizens who show exemplary unity at least in times of crisis.—INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)