Open Forum
New Delhi, 11 April
2019
Pervasive Insecurity
WILL NEXT GOVT ALTER SITUATION?
By Dr Oishee Mukherjee
The ongoing debate
about present-day insecurity that we are witnessing in society is growing all
the more with elections underway. Whoever may emerge the winner, will the sense
of fear and uncertainty disappear is a nagging question. Speaking against the
authorities or the party in power is not largely not being tolerated as
politicians have become narrow minded and are not willing to accept dissent.
Though they talk of ideals and the country being the world’s largest democracy,
they are literally unaware of what really democracy stands for and the values
associated with it as enunciated by its proponents.
Another symptom that
is being manifest in the country is the centralisation of power. This is not
just within the government – be it Central or State -- but also in most
political parties. The impression going is party members or even ministers are
not allowed to speak their minds and only one or two persons air the views.
This trend has become manifest across the nation, while it is no secret that at
the Centre the ruling party has taken control even of academic bodies,
universities and autonomous institutions.
According to
sociologists, such situations lead to a kind of neurosis where people become
nervous and edgy and they tend to blame others for things beyond their control.
Similarly, sociologists and psychologists point out that individuals want to
enjoy power and authority and are unwilling to trust many persons except their
chosen few. Constantly suffering from fear psychosis, they become intolerant
even when decisions taken by them backfires and are not accepted.
Obviously, these
powerful patriarchs always like to be praised and cannot digest dissent. Thus
it is quite natural that there is a robust and healthy democracy is under
threat in the nation but also within political parties. Whether it is Narendra Modi
or Mamata Banerjee or Mayawati – or in the past, late Jaylalitha -- all have
been found autocratic in their functioning and are averse to dissenting opinion, even if these are
constructive and judicious. It may not be out of place to consider that women
political leaders, at the helm of affairs, have been found to be more
autocratic and centralised in their decision-making process.
However, the trend is
not just limited to India but has become a common feature is most parts of the
world given the rise in right-wing politics, though the degree differs from country-wise.
It is generally observed that in countries which are marked by inequality, poverty
and low level of education levels are low, there is a tendency for the regime
to be autocratic.
One is inclined here
to refer to a recent order of the Delhi High Court which, while restoring to an
Indian-American doctor his Overseas Citizen of India card, which had been
cancelled following allegations he was preaching Christianity and carrying out
conversions, came down heavily on the government. Given the doctor’s plea that his
stated purpose was to provide medical service in Bihar’s Raxaul, the Court ticked
off the Government, which claimed the doctor was working against the
sovereignty and integrity of the Country. Justice Vibhu Bakhru observed: “It
has perhaps escaped their attention that India is a secular country . . .”
While the Modi
government is accused of exceeding all norms in violating individual’s right to
free living and with dignity, the future does not augur well. Even if in these
General elections, there is a coalition government at the Centre, it is hard to
believe that it would restore security and freedom in society. Most of the
regional leaders too are not much tolerant and, as such, they may not be
either.
The present trends of
insecurity are further compounded by rising unemployment and political pressure
at every step. The youth, even the educated ones, are way laid into activities
under the patronage of local goons which help them extract money and earn a
living. The law and order situation, business and other spheres all become part
of the pervasive rot. This has led to widespread corruption and misuse of power
at every level. It is indeed distressing that very few people protest against
corrupt practices such as from getting admission to hospitals, schools to
getting the minimum support price.
Apart from this the
police machinery appears to have become a pawn of the ruling party, taking
orders from their leaders. The entire system, many feel is being ruled by
unhealthy individuals who become part and parcel of this unethical game. Small
traders and business people are the worst sufferers as they end up having to pay
up as per calculations of local leaders and their representatives, when
demanded. Cases of local police looking the other way are not few.
Sometimes ordinary
citizens are harassed and may face false charges, possibly because they may have
gone against the ruling party line. Similarly, the rich and the powerful as
also politicians owing allegiance to some other party are now increasingly
being reportedly harassed by the Income Tax department and Enforcement
Directorate to exert pressure to toe line or clamp down.
With quality education
not reaching the masses, they remain ignorant about their rights and are not in
a position to challenge the political and economic order. Moreover, the clamour
to respect religion and the firm impression that the Centre is concerned with
the Hindu majority, half educated people get swayed and start to believe that
the minority community, particularly Muslims are invaders and destructors, as
being prompted by the BJP. Meeting the essentials of life like better health
facility or education in villages no longer remains a priority, which is
instead overtaken by the zest to have the Ram mandir constructed.
It is indeed
distressing that society today has made life insecure for the common man. He/she
lives in a state of fear and insecurity as law-abiding citizens as they have no
other alternative. Plus, on the one hand, big statues are being constructed and
Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated with
leaders talking about his life and mission, on the other, they are violating
the basic principles of equality and justice.
Can we not say that right to life is being violated at every step by the
government?
While the Modi
government has exceeded in its intolerance, the future does not appear quite
encouraging. Though the possibility of the regional parties combine coming to
power appears bleak, the situation a number of analysts fear may turn out disastrous
if the NDA is re-elected and continues with its present policies. However, another
set feels that the aggressive Hindutva and the pro-business approach of the NDA
may change as it would eventually have to focus on economic regeneration. How
much individual rights, specially of those belonging to the poor and weaker
sections, would be upheld remains to be seen.
Finally, apart from
freedom of thought and expression, rights of the struggling masses need to be restored and they be given the confidence so
they can live with dignity. Thus, a pro-poor approach – not pro-middle class
approach – needs to be initiated with a genuine action plan for rural
regeneration, more employment opportunities, entrepreneurship development at
the grass-root levels along with more power to the panchayats for a real
democracy to be functional. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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