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| Saffronites destroying democracy | | | Omkar Dattatray
Democracy is the government of the people and therefore it is definitely a superior form of governance in which power flows from people and they are the ultimate source and fountains of power at least in theory. But compared with other forms of government, democracy ranks first for been people's government and here it is proper to quote Ibrahim Lincoln's golden words on democracy which are "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people". But now democracy in our country has degenerated into mobocracy and doomocracy. It has now turned into government off the people; buy the people and far the people. The people who are absolute sovereigns in a democracy should guard against the degeneration of the democracy and put their hearts and minds together to safeguard the much valued democracy for the interest of the country and its people. Elections are the soul of a democracy but these should be free, fair and impartial and then alone democracy will flourish and grow; otherwise the tamasha of elections will only widen the gap between the rulers and the ruled. We must protect democracy and its institutions at any cost and for this our political satraps and leaders should be ready for any sacrifice. Unfortunately from some time past the institutions of the democracy are under threat and assault from the saffron brigade under the guise of moderation and reforms. The autonomy and independent character of democratic institutions is eroded and the nation sees all this without any revolt and the consequences are that the saffron rulers are for saffronization of all important institutions of the democracy. One institution after another is under threat and assault under the saffron dispensation of the centre. The independence, autonomy and professional integrity of the democratic institutions by and large is threatened neigh destroyed by the right wing ruling party of the country. All this is done to perpetuate the saffron rule and mould all institutions of the democratic governance so that they obey the dictates of BJP rulers. In this way autonomy and independence of these important institutions is eroded and there is no sane voice to safeguard these institutions except for some mute response from the secular brigade. The saffron government headed by Narinder Modi did not leave any opportunity to denigrate the democratic institutions for its vested and selfish interests and for furthering its rule. In fact, it can be appropriately called destruction of democracy and when democracy is threatened and its institutions are crumbling, there is no meaning of real democracy. All of us should fight for the preservation of democratic institutions so that democracy will flourish and people have faith in democratic institutions. Modi government has tinkered with the independence, autonomy and functioning of the CBI which is the primer investigating agency and is considered autonomous institution and people had faith in the functioning and working of CBI. But, alas this independent institution was under assault and its director Alok Verma was forced to go on leave and later on he put in his resignation papers as a protest. Now a new director who is closed to the power corridors at the centre was appointed to manage this institution. In fact, the very credibility of CBI was eroded but all this happened under the Saffron rule which wanted to control this agency for the ulterior motives as it is alleged that CBI was probing the much controversial Rafale deal and the role of Narinder Modi vis-à-vis Rafale contract. CBI's deputy director Rakesh Asthana was also shown the door. There was a tussle between CBI head and his deputy and the agency was reduced to a government controlled organization and its impartial and unbiased role is under attack. Unfortunately CBI has become a caged parrot and a puppet in the hands of centre government. Similarly the RBI was also under attack. The central bank was misused by BJP government for political gains. There was a tussle between RBI and government for power. RBI wanted more powers over regulating PSUs. It also feels that the government should not dictate the quantum of its surplus that can be paid as annual dividend. It is miffed that the centre has suggested a separate payment regulator. RBI was unnecessarily slammed for poor regulation following fraud in PNB. RBI governor Urjit Patel told the parliamentary penal in June, 2018 that it does not have enough powers over PSUs. But the fact is that RBI does have adequate control over PSUs but may not be exercising fully. One view is that RBI dips its reserves to be paid to centre, this would weaken its balance sheet. On the other hand RBI is accountable to government. Globally, Central banks transfer surplus reserves to their governments. The centre sees the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework by RBI which restricts weak banks from lending as contributing to liquidity crisis. It wanted special dispensation by RBI to help NBFCs apart from relaxed norms for lending to micro, small and medium enterprises. A political fire storm raged as Mamta Banerjee sit in protest against CBI's bid to question Kolkata police chief in Chit Fund Scam. The CM of West Bengal declared that her agitation to save the country will go on. Central vigilance commission is another institutions which was also sought to be controlled and regulated by the central government while the fact is that this anti corruption agency should be kept autonomous and its independence and working should not be interfered with, but what has happened under the BJP rule is disturbing and distressing and all of us are concerned about it. Another organization RBI was under attack which is also one of the impartial and autonomous institutions and its role for the economy cannot be over-emphasized. But this institution of democracy is also under assault by the centre government. There was a tussle between the governor of RBI and the Central government. Though BJP has said people's faith in the institutions like CBI should continue. The new CBI chief is expected to add to the controversy surrounding the agency. Mamta Banerjee slammed BJP government over the ongoing tussle in the CBI and said that the Saffron Party has been misusing the probe agency for ulterior motives. From the above it is clear that democratic institutions are under attack and its positions are filled by the men from saffron parivar and all this is destruction of democracy and all of us including political parties should make earnest efforts to bring the institutions back on the track and not allow the powers that be to tinker with these democratic institutions. It is very unfortunate that judiciary and even election commission of India is influenced and manned by the saffron men and this should not have happened in our democracy and thus to save democracy and its institutions, it is opportune time for a silent revolution through the medium of franchise to rid the country from the forces who are hell bent on destroying democracy and have even destroyed it. The third important organ of democracy judiciary is also being interfered with and it is a cause of concern as the judiciary in India has been independent and impartial. There is government interference in Judiciary. After having KM Joseph's elevation to the Supreme Court thrust upon it after the collegium reiterated its choice, it was proper for government to accept it wholeheartedly. In trying to make him even more junior than he already is by keeping his swearing in behind those of the two other judges, the centre is just being petulant. This reflects that government should accept that in a democracy there are few institutions which must function in a cordial and harmonious manner. In our democracy there should be coordination as well as separation of powers between legislature, executive and judiciary and they should act in cooperation and in balance for the overall functioning of the democracy. Institutions like CBI and RBI are misused and these institutions are being destroyed. The CBI is doing whatever BJP leaders are asking it to do. In RBI also BJP has done the same thing. BJP is aiming at political gains by trying to turn RBI into "his master's voice". Mamta further said super emergency is prevailing in the country. Now the assault on the important institution of press and its freedom is a glaring example of assault on the freedom of expression and speech. The government's inclination of imposing the provisions of official secrets act upon the national paper Hindu is an instance of destroying this institution which is called fourth estate. It is dichotomy that the BJP is criticizing the congress over the imposition of emergency in 1975 but it is itself assaulting and destroying democracy. Earlier government has used force to quell farmer's agitation in Mandsur which resulted in the death of some farmers. Arrest of Kalburgi and other liberal activists by CBI is also very disturbing development. So democracy should be saved and strengthened for the welfare of the plebeians who are the supreme source of power and this can be done by making proper and judicious use of our right to vote in the Lok Sabha elections beginning from 11th April, 2019. Long Live Indian Democracy. |
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