Gauging Future
Of Indian Democracy
Can Indian politicians or
bureaucrats of 2016 redeem the pledges, as did the framers of our Constitution
66 years ago? Have we achieved targets as per theme of our Constitutional
preamble doctrine of having equality of social, religious economic ,political and
equality before law of the land?
Preamble the soul of our constitution records
the aims and aspirations of the Nation. All it revolves around providing, justice,
freedom, equality to all citizens to
have fraternity in Sovereign, socialistic, Secular, Democratic , Republic
of India. But alas in the last 66 years we have moved but little towards
our set National goals.
Why we have allowed persisting old
religious prejudices including hate values among our countrymen despite having framed appropriate rules to check
these? When we shall be known only as Indians instead of carrying our caste tags which count more than
6743 for Hindus, besides many more for other religious, regional Communities
and categories? Are not we behaving as
individuals, within the webs of different castes and religious faiths, not
treading towards a common road leading us to become one Nation? Is the unity in diversity really working or it
is mere slogan for the politicians and religious peers, we have pondered over
these ills seriously. Are we worried for Indian divide into two segments as prosperous
India and poverty ridden India? Who is responsible for ever increasing Nonperforming Assets (NPA) in Financing
Institution which was as high as 10.20% of total Banking credits? I am sure
majority Indians comprising of SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s are not a cause of this
gigantic figure of NPA’s. the Are we as nation
worried for foreign debit of over $ 455.9 billions ( sep,2014) on us making us to
rank 22nd among the indebted nation world wide? How we are
repaying the market borrowing of over Rs 6.07Lakh Crors
? Is India worried to tame poverty monster forcing estimated
363 million in 2011-12 living BPL on
revised daily income of Rupees 32 /- and Rs 47/- respectively for Rural when single Roti costs over Rs 8.00 each with out dal ? India does boost of having progressed in many fields but its
benefits have not trickled down to poverty ridden section of our country
population. The pictures of our national
achievements as projected by rich and influential segment are that the poor are
themselves cause of their miseries. There cannot be any bigger lie than this.
Real progress should be measured with how many sleep empty bellies and not by
daily increase in Sensex. The economic, social and political advances are being
enjoyed by small segment, who are in minority, leaving majority of population
to lick their ill luck wounds in isolation. Are the bottled water drinkers
worried about the food, water, education, social, economic crises being faced by
poor and neglected segment of society?
Are poor born in India only to vote for the elites, who forget them
after every election? Has any election so far been fought on economics and social
agenda? Why religious matters like construction of a particular structure or
demolishing another are taking priority over poverty eradication matters? Many
Religiously dressed persons taken as Swamis, Peers etc are openly spreading
religious hatred but going Scot free. Flaring up of small matters for pretty
personnel gains unwanted hartalas, Bunds,
closers create big law and order problems where commoners and daily bread
earners suffer the most. Such things have become an order of the day and
creating doubts in the minds of the common masses, whether India is moving in
the right direction to wards set National goals by framers of Indian Constitution.
From the general definition of Democratic
governance “It is the Government of People, by the people & for the
people”. But the democracy in India in the last over six decades, looks more to
be - the Government of the vested interests, by the vested interests & for
the vested interests. Democracy in India has failed to sow the seeds of
brotherhood, fellow feeling & community welfare, so as to cement fraternity on the National level which
was set as national goal. But what has so far been perused has largely failed
to cement our Nation Hood. The elite and rich who had to shed away their
knowledge & wealth voluntarily for the deprived Indians, are showing least
concerns. Dr Ambedkar the Father of
Indian Constitution while writing on Egalitarian (Classless, Equalitarian)
Revolution in May, 1956 wrote “A Democracy is more than a form of Government.
It is primarily a mode of associated living. The roots of Democracy are to be
searched in the social relationship, in the terms of associated life between
the people who form the society” He further explained the Society’s qualities
& nature as “The qualities which accompany this unity are praise worthy,
community of purpose and desire for welfare, loyalty to public, mutuality of
sympathy and co-operation” He continued by asking “Are these ideals to be found
in the Indian Society?. The Indian society does not consist of individuals. It
consists of an innumerable collection of castes which are exclusive in their
life and have no common experience to share and have no bond of
sympathy------------. The strengthening of the Caste System is a standing
denial of the existence of the ideas of society and therefore of
Democracy” Dr Ambedkar the Father of
Indian Constitution himself a deeply
religious soul described democratic and fundamentalist dyed religious
mindsets as diagonally opposite to each
other. Many unbiased minds paint the Indian progress or equality scenario as
under.
Poverty ridden India’s
President takes home monthly Rs 1.5 lakh However, almost everything that the President does or wants
to do is taken care of by the annual Rs2250/- Lacs budget that the Government allots for
his or her upkeep.
An MP draws Rs3.50 Lakh
monthly salary with allowances. Still Months and
months are lost in Indian Parliament with out transaction of any fruitful
business. For the success of Democracy healthy debates the Parliament and state
Legislative Houses on subject matters of common interests leading to consensus
or voting and finally churning out Laws requiring steadfast adherence by our
bureaucracy. Large number of bills are pending in the Parliament and state
Assemblies, because of lack of political
will and welfare mindsets of our majority Law makers. The laws made years back
are seen waiting to be freed from the procedural delays. It seems we have become a nation of Law
avoidance. It is being observed that the Democratic system is being
Challenged even with in the Indian
Parliament & State Assemblies, where hardly any common interest problem is being debated , as
either many of the elected representatives are absent from the respective.
Houses or busy in most uncivilised acts of making unwanted noises, disrupting
house proceedings on non- issues. Breaking of mikes, house furniture, hurling
most un-civilised abuses and shoe beating are now the common scenes in the Law
making Houses which were created for debating day to day house business and
make rules for the common community interests. Calling of the Marshals in the
Law Framing Houses to remove their members to restore order is nothing but
shame on both the oppositions & Ruling parties’ .The First Lok Sabha
utilised maximum allotted time for debates which is said to have been reduced
by 26% in 14th Lok Sabha, and the situation is worsening with every
passing day. Our elected representatives are unmindful of our Lok Sabha costing
Rs20,089 per minute (2007-08) and losing of Rs17, 22, 94,000/- in house
disruptions. With this loss amount about 120 primary schools buildings can be constructed. Majority of
Indian politicians both from ruling and opposition dispensation are nose deep
in corruption and law breaking. A large
number of members of State Assemblies & Parliament are of tainted character
carrying criminal cases on their heads. Has this not polluted the sacred Houses
atmosphere created as model of morality, character, efficiency and political
ethics? Trading in votes, selling of
questions by MLA’s & MP’s to self centred outsiders has become very common
these days. Sycophancy prevailing in politics is very dangerous instrument.
Political Parties whips have made the elected representatives as bonded
labourers of deaf & dumb to the Party Bosses. Division of voters on
religious and other than political thinking is showing dangerous trends for the
working of healthy Democratic system. Large number MPs have very poor track
records in utilising funds meant for public welfare (CDF). In the past three
years, many MPs have not cared to utilise the Rs10 million granted to each of
them for development in their constituency. Many MPs also refused to pay back
the interest-free car loans they have secured from the government and occupy
illegally government accommodations, so forcing the government to hire
accommodations for legible persons, putting unwanted burden on government
exchequer. Voters are harassed, not
allowed to vote as per their free will. A political party won 2/3 majority in
Lok Sabha, when less than 20% of valid
votes were polled by it. Was such
majority rule dreamed by our Constitution framers, who burnt midnight oil to
give the world wide best Constitution?.
The past 66 years experience of Indian
democracy has proved that those who were running the show with the patronage of
British Government before 1947 continue to sit firmly in the saddle of
Politics, Administration, Judiciary and media. They are in total control of the
things with a few hand picked from the deprived sections to show the world over
that things were moving fast in all
right directions for achieving welfare goals for the Indian society. In
majority political parties are under the control of the High Caste bosses with
representation of Lower Castes spineless leaders. Majority of Minorities
leaders have failed to safeguard the rights and aspirations of their communities,
because their political standing and survival is based on intimate interests of
their upper caste bosses. This right of
the Dalit masses to have control over their
Elected Representatives working for their rights was granted by Communal Award of 17th August 1932 but subsequently
snatched away by the Poona Pact of 26 th Sept.1932, due to the Fast
unto death of Mahatma Gandhi. The emerging facts & circumstances cemented
the saying of Dr Ambedkar
That he committed mistake by
signing Poona Pact under duress. -------------
Where as a microscopic section of Indians feel proud of having 90
Indians as billionaires out of the top 1826 world over billionaires. But we do not
show necessary concern for the largest
world population of poorest. The number of poor and deprived persons is ever
increasing in India. Over 29.5% of the India
population lives below the poverty line as defined by the Rangarajan committee Rupees Rs 32/- daily wage and
some others in the private sector draw daily salary of several Lakhs. A private Industry CEO draws nearly $17.7millions
(Rupees 85 crors) annually salary and another one $9millions besides $223millions
tax free dividend income. How much India will have to travel to effect equality
among its people is no man’s guess. For the success of Democracy as advocated
by Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar, Caste System
is a big challenge, and the biggest road block to maintain the status quo. Till
this Caste monster is not tamed practical Democracy may remain allusive. We
observe many government offices are flooded with photographs and images of
deities, Avatars, gods, goddesses, religious Gurus; saints, peers putting our
working as
democratic government limbs
& organs in doubt. Religion should be confined to personal life and should
be disallow to be demonstrated in working places particularly in offices.
The Indian Democratic system is
based upon three important but distinctive limbs viz. Parliament with State Assemblies, Executive &
Judiciary respectively for framing the
Laws & Procedures, implement
these in the field & to serve
as eyes and ears of Law to see if Executive is working as per the Rules & procedures laid down
by the Elected Representatives. Of late the media has attained importance as to
point out the merits, demerits effecting the Indian democratic functioning.
Many scans, frauds, sex rackets, dowry deaths, adulteration in daily consumer’s
articles have been unearthed by the media persons and vigilance organisations.
Working of all these in unison with National interest as prime interest was
envisaged by our Constitution makers. The working of the Executive so far is putting a very sorry state of affairs. The
system have got corrupted to the core with every day surfacing of scams,
frauds, in- efficiency, non implementation of the Government schemes &
enacted Laws. Still over 60 million
Indian Children suffer malnutrition, with 75% are anaemic, over 65 millions in
India live in slums. This figure is estimated to rise to 104 million in 2017. A
survey reveals that majority of slum dwellers are belonging to Scheduled caste. As per UNESCO’s rating 2006, India is having
35%( 296 millions) of world’s illiterates, infant morality is hovering at 57.92
deaths/1000 live born children, 15 million child bonded labour, nearly 33% of
the government School teachers were found absent on the day of verification by
PROBE ( Public Report on Basic Education) and only 25% teachers were found busy
with teaching job. During the last over decades India has succeeded in distributing
only53 lacs Acres of surplus land out of total 500 Lakhs acres of surplus land
available for allotment to land less persons. As many as 26 crore Indian are mentally depressed , 40% of India's
population is infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. As many as
9.6 % working fit Indians are unemployed. To add to the woes of common Indians,
the problems of Militancy, Naxilits, and Religious fundamentalist are adding
fuel to the fire. Problems of Delhi riots of 1984, Demolishing of Babri Masjid,
Gujarat massacre of innocents and many such open sours are weeping with out
application of human balms. Law and order is posing serious threats. The old
Indian saying is getting practical shape “ Saian
bhaye Kotwal, ab dar kahe ka, means when your husband is Station House
Officer , why be afraid”.
$455,900,000,000
The picture of the Indian
Judiciary system working is also not above mark. In April,2015 nearly 30 million ( 3 crores)
cases of different natures and periods are pending in Indian courts ( 58906 in SC, 31 Dec.2015 and
2,00,60,998 in lower Courts with cases pending over 10 years account for
10.83%). Corruption, favouritism, nepotism, inefficiency, delays tactics, undue
pressure exertions find daily reporting in news papers. As per Global
Corruption watch 2007 as many as 77% of Indians say there is corruption in
judiciary and 36% have confessed to have paid bribes for judiciary matters. The
total bribe paid is reported to be Rs 3630
crores. Corruption is rampant in all departments with estimated 20% judges are
also said to corrupt by CJI. Records show that some cases lingered on for five
decades making only a lucky appellant or convict to personally hear court
verdict. Here again sufferers are poor and deprived section people.
Hero worship and Sycophancy is rampant in
India. Dr. Ambedkar warned against hero-worship, as it encourages them to
subvert institutions. There is no harm is honouring those who have rendered
life long service to the society. But there is a limit. Bhakti in religion may
be a road to salvation but Bhakti or hero worship in politics is sure road to
degradation and eventual dictatorship. He
proved correct when India earned the curse of Emergency in from 1975 to1977. In
February 2012, the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation said
that Indians have
As per
CBI investigation arch 2012 Indian have over $500 billion of illegal funds(
Black money) in foreign tax havens, more than any other country. But past government projected it has no
money for transportation of rotting food grains to distribute it in
poorest as ordered by the Supreme Court India . Out of estimated Indian gold reserves
of 60, 000 tons (valued at Rupees18.x1011) major portion is lying
buried in religious places and in bank lockers, beyond reach for the welfare measures for the
surging millions poverty ridden of Indians. This figure is daily inflating with
new disclosers and opening of religious strong velvets.
India
has shown an increase of over 252.4% in crime rate since 1953.( Indian crime
bureau report), with many fold increase in the law enforcing personnel But the Indian average rate of convictions is hovering around 45% (2013), a
point to worry. Japan has conviction
rate of 99%.India has pendency of court cases of over three crors despite
having a battery of judges, judicial officers, courts, lawyers etc being
maintained by spending crors from the National exchequer... Dr. Ambedkar while winding up
debate on the Constitution becoming Statue Book said that India knew
parliamentary system before too. The Bhudha Bhikshu Sanghas were nothing
but Parliaments -----------This system was lost. Will she loose it second time?
Dr Ambedkar further said the real danger to Democracy is dictatorship. He advocated the method of Revolutions to
solve the problems in rare of the rarest circumstances. Only when there is no
way left to Constitutional methods for achieving economic & social objectives,
there was a great deal for the unconstitutional methods, which leads to
Anarchy, and sooner we abandon them the better it would be. Baba Sahib BR
Ambedkar believed that without economic & social justice, political
independence will not give national integration and social homogeneity. He advocated
liberty, equality and fraternity a must ingredients for achieving national
integration.
For long Caste status used to
decide social, education & economic needs of Hindus. For them distribution
of opportunities with peoples of the different status & category were
different. This was in theory done away with by adopting Constitution for Free
India on 26 th January 1950. But majority of elite wants to keep the
things linger on till the time it starts slipping out of hands .The sense of
accommodation is nowhere to be seen. The government funds are utilized more for
the advanced section than on left over lot ignoring their first claim on these
funds.
As
also bureaucracy the Indian press and media is in the hands of multi millinery
bosses and common man in India is devoid of this important facility too. Due to prevailing mistrust already the Centre has received demands for
creation of at least 11 new states, Voices are also being forcefully raised to
give Ladakh at UT status & Jammu separate state in J&K, special status
for Gulbarga,Bidar,Raichur,Koppal and Yadagir districts areas in Karnataka as
their progress is lacking behind as compared with their parent states more
advanced regions .
The worst suffers of these
lapses, delays, corruptions and all prevailing ills are non other than,
Minorities, S/C’s, S/T’s OBC’s and rural India.
For the success or failure of the Indian
Constitution hence the Indian Democratic system Dr Ambedkar while delivering his speech in the
Constituent Assembly said “ However good
a Constitution may be, it is sure to be turn out bad because those who are
called to work it, happens to be bad lot. However bad a Constitution may be, it
may turn out be good if those who are called to work it, happen to be a good
lot”. So far the four pillars of
Democracy in India are being controlled by persons, from privileged sections
claiming to be intelligent lot belonging to the Higher Upper Castes coupled
with owing all Economic, Religious, Social resources producing results as per
their wishes & whims, caring less for the established rules &
procedures.
In view of the prevailing large
scale illiteracy, hunger, malnutrition, militancy rebellion with in country is
strong signals that Indian Democracy is missing its targets. For success of the
Democracy in India, the common man will have to be cared. He should find place
in all developmental activities. Express Poverty eradication, improving health,
education, social systems, proving quick relief to the victims of excesses
shall have to be ensured for the healthy substance of Democratic system in
India. Hence deprived sections need urgent means for breads earning with
dignity. Educated, healthy, dignified and equal Indians shall only ensure
success of democracy from which we are still miles away. Indians will have to come
out of the web of favouritism, distinction between Indians on the basis of caste,
creed, sex or place of birth. Let us strive to achieve what Shri Guru Ravidas
Ji has wished over six centuries ago “Ravidas shall feel happy only if all are
fed well”.
Er. H.R.Phonsa
Words:-3374
Retd Executive Engineer
Jammu (J&K)
Dated 8-02-2016
