Prof A N Sadhu
During last more than six months now, the nation has witnessed quite a few things happening due to activism of the present Government in taking some bold decisions which were evaded by the earlier regimes, Be it the case of Triple Talaaq, Scrapping of provisions of the Article 370 & 35 A. Sri Ram temple or the passing of CAB in Parliament; all these decisions are bold and have neither been thought of or kept pending for a long time. As is natural in a vibrant society, government decisions evoke different response from different sections of society. However, some kind of cumulative anguish burst into large protests against CAA, encouraging different sections of citizens to give vent to their pent-up feelings about other decisions as well. Gauging it by the sections of population who have come into open against CAA, it appears that they suffer from confusion exploited by the vested interests to score points against the Government, should it be concluded that there is poverty of understanding or should it initiate an intellectual debate on the ramifications of such decisions and their futuristic impact on the political and constitutional character of the country. It happens, at times, that problems arise not only because of intellectual bankruptcy but also because of intellectual vitriol. Intellectuals can be both, constructive and destructive as well.
If it is believed that protesters are confused about the implications of CAA,NRC and NPR, let us delve a little deeper into it. CAA is essentially a compassionate response to the religious minorities facing persecution in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. That the majoritarianism is brutal to the minorities in these countries cannot be overlooked and India, known for its compassion towards such persecuted people needs to be applauded for pursuing a humanitarian approach. The people on protest are made to believe in some impending dangers to their citizenship rights in the future, which, on rational analysis appears a conspiracy to excite these people against the settled secular system of the country. That there is apprehension of the country giving up its secular character is ill founded. So, if the confrontation is only the manifestation of this confusion resulting from fears devoid of any substance, it is totally unjustified.
There, however, are some doubts which need to be addressed. Is the country heading towards becoming a Hindu Rashtra, squeezing the space for other religions? Will there be intolerance, undermining the religious freedoms of the minorities or will there be uniform civil code harmonising the peaceful co-existence of all the religions living in the country. Even if it is granted that the country will become a Hindu Rashtra, it will have the foundations of Indian Civilizational ethos of “Vasudeva Kutambkum” Ganga- Jamune heritage. Nobody can think of India as a uni-religious Hindu country. Perhaps the CAA could be worded as a provision of granting citizenship to persecuted minorities of the neighbouring countries without bringing in the mention of religion. The vigilantism of the type witnessed in the country has been curbed and intolerance tackled tactfully. The nation first should be taken in the right perspective because in the changing world the forces inimical to global peace will have to be kept under check. In the light of India’s emergence as a leading nation politically and economically, international disruptive forces will always remain on prowl to harm the country. Historical evidence from rest of the world does necessitate timely corrections of some of the distortions to put things right.
People’s concern about the things happening in the country is not out of place, the government did appear some haste to take these bold decisions in quick succession. It is unfortunate not to have strong and thoughtful opposition in the Parliament and at the national level. Such an opposition always acts as a safe guard against undue Government activism. The capacity of shock absorption at the average level of societies is limited. Even when on rational grounds, the decisions of demonetisation,GST, article 370& 35A and CAA were taken, much less breathing time was given to debate these issues. Focussing on these bold initiatives did much less time with the Government to deal with price rise, unemployment, health and education.People do feel concerned with these day to day problems and their restiveness offers an opportunity to the distractors to play the spoil sport.
The champions of anti CAA stir may be asked as to how often did they raise their voice on mass exodus of KPs who are living the life of refugees in their own country. It is thirty years now; they are homeless and scattered all over the world. Will tukde tukde gang solve the problems of this country? Will today’s Jai Chands provide solution to the current problems and lay the foundations of strong India? The country is passing through a crucial phase of history; let Government act judiciously and let public respond with reason and logic.
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