The Public of the Republic
There was a disturbing news item in the newspapers a few days ago that said the central government was contemplating capital punishment for plane hijacking. From surrendering before the plane hijackers and the shameful release of notorious militants, to the contemptuous delay in execution of Afzal Guru awarded death penalty by the Supreme Court, our nation is fast descending into an abyss under the ill-leadership of the vote-players. Despite having completed 63 years of independence and 60 years as a Republic, we show signs of being immature and puerile. Since independence or since India became a republic, the people have been witnessing a drama being played by politicians at the cost of the nation. We are victims of the criminal negligence of politicians who destroyed all the four pillars of democracy in these years. On the eve of the 60th Republic Day, it is time to retrospect. For a moment, leave the issues of price hike, the forged data of the developments being shown to the people and the prevailing 'econo-politico-socio' anarchy. Just analyze the shape of the security system we have. The ministry of defense and the ministry of home affairs are supposed to cater to our external and internal security. But what is the situation? China is eating into our territory inch by inch and we are engaged in a continued directly and indirect war against Pakistan. The sense of patriotism and love for the country seem to have evaporated. The planners, executors, judiciary and the media are seen as symbols of exploitation. The police infrastructure that forms the backbone of internal security has become a disaster. Over the years, they have changed into a gang of hooligans serving political masters. For all natural or man-made calamities – a terrorist attack, flood, earthquake, political crisis, agitations, serious law & order situation, a small child falling into a bore hole or fighting the Maoists – it is the Indian military we turn to. If this be so, why are other departments and bureaucrats allowed to fatten themselves on the state exchequer? Besides losing our moral values, social and national ethics, we compromise with our national commitments and nationality. Rather than joining hands to strengthen the nation, we fight each other on the issues of language, region and religion. Today Indians don't need to go to Australia to get bashed up. All they need to do is to cross the boundary of a state and get the same treatment. The fundamental fabric of our constitution is so badly damaged that if an elected member of a state assembly takes oath in the national language, it boils the blood of MNS people and the assembly witnesses one of the worst slaps on our national integrity. The blood of these MNS workers never boils when national security and national honor get threatened by gunmen from across the border or from within the country. MNS certainly deserves a gallantry award on the eve of republic day. A failed state like Pakistan plans an attack on the Indian Parliament. Our court takes years to complete the proceedings. An accused Afzal Guru is convicted, but we lack conviction to protect our sovereignty and he still waits for the punishment to be executed. Every time there is terrorism or security related problem, we blame the ISI. What are our intelligence agencies doing? Hundreds of terrorists are held, prosecuted but saved by human right activists. What about the human rights of common people? Hundreds of people got killed in the genocide in Mumbai. The entire world watched the bloodbath live on TV, and yet the court wants evidence. It is ironical that Kasab was caught during the act, but the court is conducting identification parade. Crores of rupees of taxpayers' money is being misused to provide security and nutrition to these killers. If this is our law and our political system, we certainly need a change. This is the time for renaissance. Let our democracy shed the feudal traits of 'fortified villas' and 'car cades' and reach the citizens and admit that it has fooled them for last 63 years and has failed to provide effective governance. (Published in By-Line National News Weekly (Hindi and English) January 30, 2010 Issue under regular column - Last Punch)
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