Welcome....To the world of Ideas and Original Thinking

Threat to Secular Democracy


-->
What shall I do? What’s the future of my children?” tears filled in her eyes, a Bodo woman was crying her heart out during the recent and ongoing crisis in Assam. Her situation sites at the rising insecurity, intolerance and denial of human rights in the country. In a moment when the nation is in crisis and chaos due to various and many pressing problems, it’s apt to reflect on our democracy.
Democracy is a universal value, based on the free expression of the citizens of a nation, to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and people’s full participation. Democracy calls for a people centered nation; a nation by the people and for the people. Holistic growth of every individual and the collective growth of the community among the many goals of democracy. We, Indian’s are privileged to be the citizens of a secular democratic nation.
On 15th September we celebrate the world democracy day. India is the second most populous nation and as per the calculations, it will take over China in population by 2025. One of world’s oldest civilizations, India is the largest democracy in the world and yet a young nation. With 28 states and 7 centrally administered union territories, culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic India is unique in its own manner.
Being a secular democracy, India is supposed to enjoy the religious and cultural freedom. We do not hold the slogan of, ‘One nation, one religion, one language.’ Rather we believe in, ‘Unity in diversity.’ Cultural and religious diversity adds to the beauty of the nation. For long, India is known to be a peace loving nation.
Over the past few years the situation in the country is changing drastically. A few years ago during the election campaign, the slogan, ‘India is shining’ was sung gloriously though it was far from reality. A few days ago when Assam was burning, the chief minister of the state sarcastically remarked, saying, ‘Where is it burning?’ The denial to look at the reality, is leading our nation to the ruins.
There are several factors that affect our nation from living its foundational ethics. I would like to discuss a few of them here.
For long India was seen as the symbol of tolerance. Among the many, I would like to focus on the current Assam violence. Lakhs of people have lost their belongings and all that they had and have practically become destitute. A fight for supremacy, a war for survival and power and above all a communal thinking, no doubt has unsettled Assam. Does this support our country’s slogan of tolerance? Many have asked this question, ‘When was India tolerant?’ I wish we take some time out to reflect on this question, for it has lots to tell us.
Culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic India, can no more be called a peace loving nation. When thousands were massacred and several women were raped and killed in Godhra carnage, world realized that India was moving away from its fundamental values. Attacks on Christians in Khandamal, was yet another example for the increasing religious intolerance in our country. Over the years, increasing attacks on various religious communities tell us that religion is no more a uniting factor in this nation. Today religion, that too being a minority breeds fear.
Being the citizens of a secular democratic nation, every Indian has a right to move throughout the length and breadth of the country. But reality contradicts. If we glance a the threat that is being posed to the lives of the people of north and the recent incidents of spreading suspicious roumours of attacking the north eastern people,in Bangalore, conveys the message that India is no more a secure place to live on. India is at the verge of getting divided as fragments on the basis of caste, colour, and creed. Narrow minded, small group of people have come on the way of its integrity as a nation and it will take years to re-unite it. I wish to live in a nation, where I have the freedom and security, wherever I go and whichever state I enter and I believe this is how majority in this nation think.
One of the major factors that has damaged the Indian democracy, is the attempt to saffronization. A conscious effort to make India a nation with, ‘One religion, one culture and one language’ is a serious concern to the country’s democracratic stance. Attempts of saffronization are working subtly in every field including education. Off late the home stay attack in Mangalore, in the name of protecting the culture points at the rising concerns of democracy. Politically motivated idea of saffronization, is the weed, needs uprooting, if we want to protect the democratic stance of the country. Let’s not forget that the real beauty is in diversity.
Corruption is yet another factor that has denied the growth of this nation. Today there’s hardly any sector we can call-corruption free. Talking about this issue, I would also like to remember the movement, ‘India Against Corruption.’ Forgetting the tragic end it had in aspiring to be a political party, I still am not sure, how far this movement has contributed to the growth of the nation. On the periphery, it looks as though this movement made more damage to the stability of the nation than any positive effect. New and variety of scams, that come into light daily, give us an idea of the dark future of this nation.
Being a democratic nation, electoral politics hold the key. Every member of this nation has eligibility to contest the elections. But it’s quite sad to see that we are still in the age of Nehru family. We have failed to look beyond, to leaders who can give a new vision to the nation. I wish at least in the near future, we start to think big, to make this nation different and unique. In my opinion, it’s time to look beyond Congress and BJP.
India is a young nation with a large number of youth powers, which is hardly used. I believe, it is youth, if properly oriented, will make a difference in the nation. The guidance of the experienced and the vibrancy of youth, as I see, are crucial to change the history and the future of this nation which looks in shambles today.
Democracy invites the individuals to take responsibility for the nation. Often we are mere recipients of the system, but hardly contribute.
Years ago, when I was in a poor village in Raichur, Karnataka, for a month long experience, as for the requirement of my studies, I came across a boy named Basava, aged 9, was under bonded labour. On the day of my departure from the village, he came running to me asking, “Sir I too want to study. I too want to be like others. Will you help me? Listening to the boy, my conscience was shaken and challenged. There are thousands of them seeking for liberty, struggling under various bondages, in our nation. Can we do something about these people? Will they some day be able to feel the taste of the spirit of democracy.
As I conclude I remember the words of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:
YOU say that our government is inefficient.YOU say that our laws are too old.YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.YOU say that the phones don’t work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
It’s good to ask today, ‘What can I do for my country today?’
Let’s strive to make this nation, truly democratic.

No comments:

Post a Comment