During a personal conversation with a senior bureaucrat twenty years
ago he expressed with concern, “don’t you think that we got freedom too
early?” He made this statement knowing well about the corrupt background
of politicians who run the government. He was also lamenting about
the miserable condition of the top bureaucrats who act as salves
to their political masters whom the common people trust blindly.
In the absence of responsible citizens with critical thinking democracy
will not succeed.
Much has changed in the country during the last twenty years. Politics of
communal polarization and nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and
criminals have only become stronger. Hardly we can find any politician who
stands for principles. Most of them without listening to their conscience sell
their souls for power and money. Journalists and the
whole media are sold out to the corporates who have become part of
the ruling dispensation. The worst of all is the indifference and
silence of the so called Gandhians , social workers and
celebrities who matter.
After long years of sufferings and struggle we got freedom from the
colonial oppression. Our visionary leaders with wisdom and vision made a
Constitution with much foresight declaring India to be a sovereign socialist
secular democratic republic. They made their resolution to secure justice,
liberty and equality to all citizens. The Constitution also resolves
to promote fraternity assuring the dignity of individual and unity and
integrity of the nation.
The elected representatives, ministers, judges, and bureaucrats make
solemn pledge to safe guard the Constitution of India in letter and spirit.
Taking oath has become a mere ceremony. Politicians take oath without
believing in the deep meaning of the values of the Constitution. Hence
they violate them from the day one without any guilt. They are not punished for
this violation because the law enforcing agencies also don’t understand the
sacredness of the Constitutional values.
Today there is an urgency of educating citizens especially the youth
about the sacredness of the universal values enshrined in the
Constitution. Leaders come from the society. When people in the
society have not understood the meaning and value of sovereignty,
democracy and other sacred values enshrined in the Constitution they can
easily be brainwashed and sold.
Indians have much to learn from Germans who value the laws of the
country more than their religious laws and rituals. In the past they paid
heavy price for their failure to be alert citizens. They blindly
trusted in the eloquence of Adolf Hitler and did not understand his crazy
racial cleansing by killing millions when he came to power. They woke up only
after the death and destruction in the world war caused by this narcissist
who became a dictator misusing democracy. Hard lessons
of war taught Germans to be committed to universal solidarity and
fraternity.
Responsible citizens with critical mind will analyze the
socio-political realities and make a stand on every issue without
prejudice of caste, creed and other petty considerations. The sovereignty,
democracy and all other noble values of the Constitution will be
safeguarded when citizens take up responsibility. Such citizens
will elect their representatives purely on merit. They
would make politicians, bureaucrats and all public servants accountable
because people are sovereign masters in a democracy.
Though it is too late we need to start educating our children and youth
about the national vision and values as enshrined in the constitution and the
importance of becoming responsible citizens.
Our soldiers keep guard of the borders of our country day and night
from outside enemies. Responsible citizens have the duty to safeguard the
sovereignty of the country from enemies inside who violate the sacred
values enshrined in the Constitution. This task is tough because the
enemies inside are “like wolves dressed as
lambs”.
(Published on 17th August 2020,
Volume XXXII, Issue 34)
