Gopal Sharma
India, the largest democratic country in the world, became Republic on 26 January 1950. The nation is celebrating 65th Republic Day today. Republic is symbolized by the absolute sovereignty which a nation enjoys within the framework of its independent and sovereign constitution. The country attained political freedom from the British rule on August 15, 1947 and it took over two and half years to the constitution makers to give the country its first independent and sovereign Constitution.
Today after 67 years of independence and 65 years of attaining status of Republic, if one goes for over all analysis and compares the country with many others who got freedom after India, one does not feel content with the developments,taking place in the Country . A common man is fed up with present `polluted and infectious’ system and the level of corruption. There seems to be no end to the woes of a common man. Justice system has been allowed to be eroded by the people responsible to maintain its sanctity.
The country, no doubt, progressed a lot in many fields in last several decades and also emerged as a stronger nation but it failed to deliver real fruits of democracy to the public. The people are fed up of with the existing corruption in every sphere of life and unfair system available today. The country is poised for a major political change or in other words a great revolution and youth of the country want to lead the nation by throwing the corrupt people out.
With the greater strength of democracy, Arvind Kejriwal, a new young face admired by great social activist Anna Hazare, changed the course in Delhi’s political system and showed to the nation that democracy has great power and people of the country are looking forward for a change. The people have full faith in the democracy and by virtue of this, they have shown doors to the old rulers. With all these developments taking place in the country’s political scene, challenges ahead and next political scene emerging with sudden change in Delhi, we sought views of several intellectuals, former top bureaucrats, judges, members of judiciary, retired top Army officers and social activists on the subject.
Justice (Retd) J P Singh from J&K High Court did not paint a rosy picture of the country’s present political, administrative and judicial system scenario. True to the existing scenario emerging in the country, Justice Singh called for an over hauling of entire political, administrative, judicial/ delivery of justice, recruitment and education system. He pointed out that corruption was the main decease behind all these ills today. He says, if a man sitting at the top is honest and strong, all those operating under him will be alright. While justifying his point, he gave an example of former J&K Governor Jagmohan who set as an example for every body.
Unfortunately, even after 65 years of independence India, the people are not able to get justice.” Infact, the justice itself has become a mockery today. Will you say justice was delivered to a person if he files a suit in court of law today and continues contesting for over 15-16 years and then gets justice. No way, not at all. Have you ever heard of any Commission constituted by Government providing any justice to the public. Perhaps not. We have been forced to work under a faulty system, which needs immediate change or over hauling,” Justice Singh maintained.
The democratic/ constitutional institutions have been eroded. The recruitment and even the election system needs reforms and a major change. Favourtism galore everywhere and the deserving and highly competent people are not being properly placed. Their talent and potential is not being tapped properly. We are producing an industry of `crooks’ right from the school level and the people with such a mindset will not allow to flourish or grow the people of right attitude and those having urge to deliver good to the society. But for this, the selection system has to be reformed and made corruption/ influence free.
Maj Gen (Retd) G S Jamwal, who is also president of J&K Ex-servicemen League pointed out that the country progressed in many fields, especially in the infrastructure development, information, computer, space Technology, raising infrastructure but there are still many challenges before the country. People are not very happy with the Government and the system of governance at present. They feel what went wrong after attaining independence. Ultimate peace is missing, despite the fact that quality of life has improved.
Referring to the scene emerging at the Union capital with the rise of Arvind Kejriwal, Gen Jamwal said the people are fed up of the corruption and present system existing. The people want a major change rather a revolution. The transition infact, started in 2013 and country’s youth is today leading the masses for a mass revolution. The people see a ray of hope in the Kejriwal and the public should support him in the campaign against corrupt system, because to mend affected system men like Kejriwal should get enough public support otherwise the people at the helm of affairs would turn powerful.
Despite this, there are many challenges internal and external security before the country. The problem of terrorism and naxalism are the major issues before the country which are of serious concern and needed to be resolved rising above the petty politics. By playing dirty politics, some political parties and successive Governments allowed these issues to linger on and its consequences are now very serious. Unfortunately, the democracy gave us many wrong politicians. Sometimes, we feel embarrassment when we see criminals occupying seats in the legislature/ parliament. No doubt, India is largest democracy in the world but being role model for many countries, it should be ensured by the system in the country that entry of such people is blocked. We can not expect justice and good system of governance when we send such people at the place where laws are enacted for the public. There is restlessness and strong resentment among the people.
We have lost moral values and morally, we have gone down and turned as an unhappy nation.
Former Chief Secretary and sitting legislator, B R Kundal is of the view that India has witnessed an unparallel development in the history of any country in last six decades. Whether it is information technology, computer science, communication, roads and highways, infrastructure development, space technology or advanced warfare techniques, the country has reached new heights and is emerging as one of great powers among other top countries. The flow of information and the time consumed in forwarding an information is unimaginable. Through satellite and other channels, one can get any information and even the children are well informed.
Unfortunately, the people are getting impatient. They have developed such a tendency which is not good for the society. This, behavior also leads to corruption. They want quick results and fast delivery and do not care to shell out money to save their time. The people are lured to get their jobs done. Not body has patience to wait for the turn at hospital, public office or any other place and they give encouragement to mal-practice and corruption. The people need to mend their ways and behave like responsible and honest citizens.
Referring to the response regarding strengthening of democratic power, Mr Kundal was of the view that democracy is rather getting stronger day by day. He recalled the students agitation in Assam and emerging of young leader Mohanta, emergence of Jai Parkash Narayan, Lalu Parsad Yadav, M T Rama Rao and now, Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. This could be possible with the power of democracy. People are infact fed up of the corruption and system available and they are looking for a change. They are experimenting and hope that new emerging leadership would provide them some relief. But pulling crowd on streets rather `street power’ is different thing and deliverance is very difficult task. Public can never be satisfied as the people are very impatient and some times very aggressive which is not a good sign. They have lost moral values and old ethos. You see most of these fast emerging leaders, have proved failure on the part of delivery of service to the people.
We hardly see any true statesman today. We know our Nehru was described as Statesman but today it is hard to find a true statesman in the country. This is only due to the erosion of moral values and principles. Institutes of very high repute are also being eroded and accountability is missing. For short term gains, the people sitting at the top positions are compromising and it has lost the faith of the people in the system. These are the issues today which the country is facing and needed corrective measures.
Senior Executive Member of Supreme Court Bar and Member National Integration Council Prof Bhim Singh says that Republic is symbolized by the absolute sovereignty that a nation enjoys within the framework of its independent and sovereign constitution. India got political freedom from the British Rule in 1947. It took nearly 2½ years for the Constitution makers in India gave Nation’s first independent and sovereign Constitution with 395 articles thus adding a unique written Constitution in the history of democracies around the world.
It was its last article 395 which commanded to repeat all other previous acts including the Independence Act, 1947, and the Government of India Act, 1935, together with all enactments amending or supplementing the later Act. This great Constitution of India was introduced to the largest democracy of the world on 26th January, 1950. Thus India was declared Republic on 26th January, nearly 64 years ago.
It was most unfortunate that Article 370 was introduced in the Constitution of Republic of India on the same day which disarmed the Parliament to enact any legislation in respect of J&K which had acceded to the Union of India like any other state in 1947. The blunder committed by the Constitution makers to let the monarchy continue in J&K even after India turned Republic in 1950 needs explanation from the historians. However, the Constituent Assembly of J&K under the leadership of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah abolished the monarchy on August 20, 1952 through a resolution of the Constituent Assembly. The abolition of monarchy brought J&K under the same constitutional arrangement vis-à-vis the Republic of India. J&K stood merged with the Republic of India.
But unfortunately, even today the people of J&K have remained denied of the privileges and benefits of the Constitution of the Republic of India which the people of other states have been enjoying. The people of J&K have been rejoicing in unfurling tri-colour on the Republic Day which is celebrated all over the states yet the people of J&K remained denied of the benefits of the Constitution of India, having a separate Constitution and separate flag. After the termination of monarchy in J&K in 1952 and the merger of the State with the Union of India, J&K became integral part of India as has been mentioned in Section 3 of the Constitution of J&K that J&K is and shall be integral part of India.
Former Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Y R Malhotra pointed out that there are many issues even today before the country when we are celebrating 65th Republic Day. He said corruption, unemployment, unequal distribution of wealth etc are the major challenges before the nation. The former VC said the country rulers are unable to contain increasing unemployment and formulating a proper policy for it. Today the country youth is frustrated even after getting higher education. There is a strong need to tackle this issue by those sitting at the top. There is growing discontent among the educated youth of the country and their issues are needed to be addressed.
The former Vice Chancellor further pointed out that unbalanced development is yet another issue which the country is facing today. Many rural areas are turning more backward and the urban areas more urban and over-crowded with massive migration from the villages. Due to lack of facilities in the villages, poor monitoring of funds meant for developmental schemes and simmering feeling of neglect among them, the people from such pockets continued to rush towards cities and towns. The pollution level is increasing in the cities and it has also become a major challenge before the country. The country planners should focus on the issue and take appropriate measures to reverse this phenomenon as it is also aggravating environment pollution.
Prof Malhotra said though there is lot of development observed in all fields but its impact is not so much which should be visible on the ground. There is lot more to do. He described that democracy was getting stronger and stronger and with its strength a lot of change is visible in the political field. The people have faith in the democratic system and a change in Delhi was possible with it.
There are many more challenges before the country but corruption is the major challenge which is needed to be thrown way from the society with collective efforts at all levels. It has been affecting our economy and every field. A strong economy is a must for the overall development of the nation. He further pointed out that there was no corruption about five decades back but with the passage of time and coming of new schemes for the public, the corruption also went on increasing. It has spread its tentacles all around, politics, administration, bureaucracy, public enterprises etc, affecting over all development and country’s economy. This evil is needed to be weeded out but the job is not so easy.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
