So, we the largest democracy of 138 crore citizens, have celebrated once again the Republic Day. We counted our achievements, praised our Constitution and eulogised our leaders. But this occasion calls for deep analysis and sincere stocktaking.
State of the “union” is far from satisfactory. Signs of authoritarianism are too visible. Air is thick with repression. The Government, the media and most unfortunately judiciary are abdicating their responsibilities. Opposition is in disarray. States are frustrated and complaining about the highhandedness of the centre, civil liberties are endangered, national institutions are being devalued and discredited. It appears proper to quote W.B. Yeats, who wrote: “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”
For the last five months aggrieved farmers are agitating against the arbitrary farm laws. In this coldest and cruellest winter they are agitating and demanding the repeal of these anti-farmer, pro-capitalist laws which may reduce the largest segment of Indian population to slaves, whose necks would be in the grip of crony capitalists. But the ruling party wants to prove its strength through continuation of these laws. The Government is bent upon using the stringent UAPA and other laws against the lakhs of agitating farmers who represent the crores of fellow workers and stakeholders. Pressure, crackdowns and threats are being used as weapons against these citizens. Worst suppressive tactics is being utilised by the UP government. The agitators are being denied their right to assemble and agitate peacefully.
Uttar Pradesh, the largest state, is using its brutal police force to intimidate those who do not agree with it. The terror raj has become synonymous with the state. In the name of freedom of religion, the basic freedoms are suppressed there. The constitutional guarantee of freedom to profess, practise and propagate a religion of one’s choice is brazenly denied. All these things are being done through ordinance way. A particular minority is the main target of these moves. In spite of the adverse remarks by the Allahabad High Court the unconstitutional laws are being pushed through.
People are losing their faith even in the judiciary and making very disparaging remarks against it. To top this all, cases are being launched against reputed and conscientious journalists, while the state sponsored media, nicknamed godi-media, is shamelessly either supporting all anti-people policies or looking the other way.
The ruling party must realise the irreversible damage it is doing to the spirit of the Constitution and freedom of citizens. If the rot is not stopped at this juncture, the country may descend into chaos and anarchy. Let us hope and pray that the dissatisfied and desperate citizens join hands and take the agitation to its logical end and force the ruling party to stop its anti-people and anti-Constitution policies. The freedom is in peril. We have to defend it with all our strength.