Our nation is undergoing a manthan once again; multiple narratives are trying to redefine what is India, and what it means to be Indian; what is the meaning of true secularism; and with everyone trying to 'safeguard' the letter and spirit of our worthy Constitution.
Our biggest strength of being part of a living unbroken way of life despite multiple foreign invasions, encompassed in our civilisational ethos of Vasudaiva Kutumbakkam, which is the solid foundation of our Constitution, is being put to test with the tools of modern liberal thought and personal beliefs of a few highly vocal sections.
Independent India was partitioned and carved out of British India, on the basis of religion. "India that is Bharat", despite the grave provocations and mass killings at the time of partition, chose to draft a Constitution that stood firmly on a solid foundation of our civilisational ethos of Vasudaiva Kutumbakkam, while looking forward to grow as a modern state giving equal status to each citizen, irrespective of other differences, including those of belief, sex, region, language, etc.
Our founding fathers discussed/debated the various provisions but ultimately relied on & trusted our innate strength as a people; a people who despite enduring harsh realities through multiple generations, comprising of invasions/plunderers/killings, were still accepting of diversity as a way of life, as ordained by the Creator. Did they err in this thought? I believe not.
Our elected political class, which is a representation of us as a people, is either too lazy, agenda driven, or complicit in ensuring that the rule of law is not enforced, leading to a breakdown of law and order on the smallest pretext.
External threats to India are manageable, if we can only contain the support that these threats enjoy from a section of people from within our own borders. Can we secure our home base, by rule of law?
The biggest challenge we face today, I believe, is not external, but from within our own border, which can be eliminated by the institutions operating freely without undue interference, as envisaged. Also, as a corollary, no citizen should be able to take the law in his own hands and/or every citizen has to be treated equally by the law, irrespective of every other considerations.
Political parties and their leaders too are, and should not be treated as above the law. Let us start with them. We owe it to our future generations to leave behind a legacy of clean politics, rule of law applied equally to all citizens governed through uniform laws, not laws based on beliefs; this was not the spirit of our original Constitution, which was incidentally drafted just after independence; at a time when the memory of mass killings were fresh in our minds, on account of the hurried partition plans & implementation, all on the basis of religion. The constitution spelt out the Directive Principles to smoothen the process of reaching the goal of equality while keeping in mind our turbulent past; by making provisions to ensure a stabilising present for everyone; and finally, laying out a vision for the future: of equality before law. Our political class has probably forgotten the letter and spirit of our constitution, while endlessly swearing by it. Where are we with respect to the Directive Principles?
National Register for Citizenship, and Uniform Civil Code are a much delayed but needed law. Pahalgam killings, and the subsequent crackdown by the govt, have brought to fore many shortcomings that have paralysed our systems over the years, due political interference and inadequate enforcement of rule of law. Can we afford to continue with business as usual on any more of this?
Murshidabad was bad enough, but Pahalgam is definitely a wake up call. Let rule of law prevail; deportations of illegals is a much needed part of it; let no bleeding heart tell you otherwise, as it impacts our national security & our survival as a thriving and functioning democracy. We owe this to our forefathers and our future generations.
Jai Hind.
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