There is an urgent need to take corrective steps to change the deplorable conditions. For that it is essential that principled leaders start working indefatigably in the interests of the country. They have to junk their personal interests, selflessly unite and work determinedly for this transformative change, writes former IAS officer V.S.Pandey
History is witness to the fact that since time immemorial, selfish rulers have buttressed their power by following the policy of divide and rule. It reached its apotheosis during the British rule, when the policy of creating a wedge between Hindus and Muslims and dividing them was followed so successfully that it enabled a handful of foreigners to successfully enslave crores of us interminably. The tragic result of this divide and rule policy was the partition of our country. During the horrors of partition, about one million people lost their lives and more than two crore people were rendered homeless. The unbridled ambition and selfish interests of a handful of people was behind this humungous human tragedy , unparalleled in the annals of history. The tragedy that befell crores of people had its genesis in the rapacious avarice and ruthlessness of a few leaders of the newly born nation. A nation which was born in the name of religion, unfortunately got split into two within a span of merely 24 years. When the foundation of a building is not right, then the collapse of the superstructure built on that foundation is inevitable. People living in any time or age should realize that no nation can ever thrive on a polarizing ideology. As soon as the janta comprehends this, this divisive agenda will be defeated . The brazen attempt by the political class to grab power by dividing the people on the basis of caste, religion, community, language and region will in all likelihood prove to be as catastrophic as it was during Partition. When will we awaken?
It is we the people who have to course correct immediately. Today we are a democracy where we are sovereign ,have equal rights and the rule of law prevails . Promoting casteism ,communalism, or maligning the Other so aggressively is an assault on our civilizational ethos and its catastrophic effects are bound to be visible in the near future. This insidious politicking to divide the people has to be ended and has to be executed by the common people. We are sovereign and have to fearlessly vote for honest leaders.
Today, except for caste, religion, language and regionalism, there is probably no other incentive left in front of the cynical janta to vote for any party . A Turkish tale captures their plight. A luxuriant forest was decreasing in size rapidly. This destruction was wrought by the axe. Still the vulnerable trees ,collectively kept supporting and voting for that axe. They believed that since its handle was made of the wood of the same forest that axe was a part of them .So all the trees deemed it to be harmless. In the end the whole forest was decimated by the wily axe. Today, this political axe is busy chopping and ravaging our country . The common people have been blindly supporting those politicians who belong to their own caste, religion or region. Such communal and casteist political leaders have accumulated immense wealth and heft by misusing their power and by looting the J anata indiscriminately. Public interest and Development is the mega casualty. Currently, 80 crore people have to stand in queues for a measly five kg of ration. The education system is in shambles ,the health services are sick and awaiting surgical strikes and our frustrated youth have spent decades waiting for employment.
There is an urgent need to take corrective steps to change these deplorable conditions. For that it is essential that principled leaders start working indefatigably in the interests of the country . They have to junk their personal interests, selflessly unite and work determinedly for this transformative change .
About a hundred years ago, Mahatma Gandhi had not only challenged the might of the British Empire but also defeated them by following the path of truth. Today’s conditions are much easier as the system of peaceful change of power through potent franchise exists in our country. We have to work to change this Machiavellian political system by electing virtuous leaders. Then only will we initiate new ethical politics purged of caste, religion black money and muscle power. We need politics which is based on truth, honesty and tolerance and is guided by principles not subversive agendas. Gandhi’s last wish must resonate and preponderate with our politicians ,’’I do not ask you for any kingdom nor heaven or for any liberation. I only ask for one thing-to liberate the agony of the people.’’
(Vijay Shankar Pandey is former Secretary Government of India)
