India is like the proverbial elephant being examined by four blind people. The perceptions and reality of each one of them are inevitably different. The year 2019 began with the 16th General Election for the Indian Parliament with all its hopes, claims and counterclaims. Democracy and human rights are rightfully being mentioned by media covering the Indian political situation and other scenarios. Congress and most of the opposing parties are almost united to unseat the BJP led NPA government of India. Elections in India are, in a way, a national festivity with all its pomp, ceremony and humbug aplenty. All the main parties set out their manifestos which are there for all to see. The BJP manifesto clearly stated that the removal of Article 370 of the Indian constitution and the required remedy for the stateless people residing in India was their top priority. The opposition parties, Congress, Communist, Socialist and others opposed this agenda tooth and nail.
India is, as a geographical mass almost as big, if not more, than the European Union. Its population of 1.3 billion is almost three times larger. Indian democracy is alive and thriving. Let’s look at some statistics: 900 million people had adult franchise with 600 million exercising their democratic right. With a thumping majority the BJP won a clear victory. After 30 odd years a five year term of the elected government of the NDA was followed by one with an even larger majority.
During the elections India received ample coverage in the foreign press. Prior to the election date even the great English magazine ‘The Economist’ announced or declared it’s opposition to the re-election of Narendra Modi and his party. Either their voice was not heard or the voters did not give a damn about the advices from London and elected Modi with a huge mandate.
There are two houses in the Indian Parliament. In the Lower House - Lok Sabha - the BJP on it’s own has a clear majority with some thirty more MPs from its allies. In the Upper House - Rajya Sabha - the BJP and it’s allies are numerically in the minority and, yet, both houses with a two thirds majority endorsed the removal of Article 370. Period.
The Supreme Court in India, in spite of various accusations, represents a judiciary of the highest integrity. The Supreme Court found nothing unconstitutional in the removal of Article 370. Today, with some proportionately smaller problems, the unification of India is more of less complete with rights and responsibilities to all its citizens irrespective of caste, religion, or which part of India they live in.
In various parts of India especially in the North like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and in the North East like Assam and other smaller states and a substantial majority of the foreign born but predominantly Hindus, Sikhs and even some Christian refugees are living without any nationality. These stateless people received the right of abode in India under the provisions of the Citizens Amendment Act. It is not perfect but we will come to that later. As elsewhere mentioned in this paper, and in Manoj Ladwa's article, sadly in Pakistan Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the last seventy-two years the ethnic cleansing has become a reality. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians and others in Pakistan especially are highly vulnerable and experiencing all sorts of calamities simply because of their faith. They suffer discrimination, hatred, forced conversion and several other serious problems. Over the years thousands have somehow reached the safety of their neighbouring country, India, to escape.
This, and other corrective legal steps by the Modi government, were not a surprise as if they have been simply pulled out of a hat - they were part of the election commitment. The parliament of India, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, has approved this legislation and in Britain we have recently seen the problems and the consequences of the Supremacy of Parliament and people’s verdict in the referendum.
In the last two weeks or so, the Indian opposition parties which failed to garner support in the elections have opted to use the street demonstrations to unseat an elected government and overrule the decisions democratically reached through the parliamentary process. Street protests, if they are peaceful and non violent, are surely a welcome part of a living democracy. It is acceptable when the students, or some other groups with vested interests, come out in the street to protest against a particular parliamentary decision. In a way it is even desirable for a thriving democracy but, when by night time it turns into violence with the destruction of government property and private vehicles as well as attacks on people, and police are forced to use their legitimate power to discharge their duties, the situation becomes dangerous, very painful and, frankly speaking, unacceptable.
If Groups with dubious intent in India and from abroad, especially the media, are instigating or provocating such violent and undemocratic opposition is it fair or reasonable or even possible to bring peace and harmony in India? These are all important questions.
Now we have responsible journals like the Financial Times, who were or are fearful of forecasting the notorious emergency of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, joining the fray. This is not only silly but very dangerous and divisive.
It is also very painful to see several instances of economy with the truth in the media coverage about the Citizens Amendment Act. It selectively talks about preferential treatment for Hindus, sometimes Sikhs, but ignores the plight of Christians, Parsis and others from the three neighbouring countries of India. It also systematically ignores that the cut-off date for these refugees was 31st December 2014, five years ago.
All media, whether print or electronic, have their own definite rights and responsibilities. It’s like every element has it’s properties. But is it wise to attack the fundamental institutions of a democratic nation? We have seen such well-intentioned attacks on the governments of several states run by either dictators or royalty who were earlier favourites of the western powers, especially Syria, Iraq, Libya and other countries, where the western media instigated and provoked resistance and rebellion systematically, and for a considerable period of time. The resultant turmoil which saw the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children as well as the migrations of millions is a matter of fact. These countries have been turned into ruins. It is also a fact that four million or more Syrian refugees are taking refuge in Turkey and some other adjoining countries. The European Union including the United Kingdom have allocated billions of pounds to Turkey and other countries to keep them there and not allow them to move towards the north especially the UK and other countries of mainland EU.
Democracy, secularism and human rights are noble terms. They are fantastic ideas but almost all countries and civilisations interpret them in their own way to suit their requirement or reality. One would wish that India would open it’s doors to all the Hindus from Sri Lanka or the Rohinjyas from Mynamar, or even the oppressed and discriminated Muslims from Pakistan like the Amadiyas and others.. Or like the rich countries who need skilled and unskilled workers to open their boundary willy- nilly to all and sundry. That is an utopian expectation which cannot happen.
People in London who sit in their comfortable homes in a civilised environment cannot preach what they should expect from India. Preaching is one thing but putting it into practice is another. We need to be objective in our preaching or assessment. Whether we are honourable individuals or commentators in the media, we must remember our responsibilities. To quote former British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin: 'Power without responsibility - the prerogative of the harlot through the ages'.
India, with all its imperfections and predicaments has come a long way both economically and otherwise and has progressed tremendously since 1947. Let us be very careful with our utterances and comments. India is not perfect and neither is Britain or any other country for that matter. But looking at the whole of Asia, Africa, even the world, how many countries are developing peacefully and freely along the path of prosperity in a peaceful manner.
Leave India alone for God’s sake.
