RESURGENT INDIA OR INSURGENT INDIA

RESURGENT INDIA OR INSURGENT INDIA

Out of 29 states in India almost 19 states are affected by violence (12 states by Maoists in Central, Eastern and Southern India plus 7 states of North East India). In some of the NE states of India there exists an uneasy calm. Then can we say it is Resurgent India and not Insurgent India? In the recently concluded chief Ministers conf on security (preceded by major jail break at Dantewada, Jharkhand) our Honorable Prime Minister had expressed legitimate concern over Maoist threat in the country. He said, “We must rout out this menace with synergy of all resources at our command. He further directed to raise a new force and promised all help by the centre”. Similarly CMs of Assam and Manipur had also proposed to raise a similar force to fight insurgency in respective states. Will the raising of physical force be able to mitigate the scourge in mind?

We have been fighting insurgency (now terrorism) for past six decades in North East India. Have we been able to defeat the threat? Answer is No! In some of the states like Mizoram and Tripura there is normalcy with an uneasy calm. Number of times one hears surrendered militants lashing out threats since they have not been meted out their dues. Physical force cannot eradicate but contain the menace. Our statistical figures are good to alleviate our mood of positivism, that there is decline of violence from the last year e.g. Maoist related violent incidents have gone down from 1509 in 2006 to 1285 in 2007 till 31 Oct 07. There are similar statistics for NE states. These figures have been arrived at a cost of losing lives (SFs, Civilians and Militants alike) loss of public property etc. Can we afford to let it happen like this till it dies its own death? Probably not, keeping in mind the strides of progress India is taking; more so Big Five are revisiting their foreign policies towards India due to economic interests.

Napoleon said,” Mind is to physical as three is to one”. There is need to change the thought process of the Elected Leaders, Populace and the Militants. India is a democracy where basic spirit of social justice is enshrined in our constitution. Article 14 - talks of right of equality; Article 15- talks of right against discrimination and Article 16 – talks of right of employment. Are our elected leaders able to ensure the basics? What can we expect? When our leaders have dubious past records? When our leaders maintain their own private forces to settle score with their opponents? When our leaders encourage some of the Under Ground Groups for political ends? When our leaders are all out to divide the society ( on religious, creed, caste, tribal basis) for political gains e.g. tribal leaders of Jharkhand rushed to Assam to win over the estranged tribals during Beltola mayhem (24 Nov 07)? When our leaders have lost their trust with the populace? They have to shout from rooftops for people to hear their false promises because their actions do not speak. There is no congruity between their thoughts, words and deeds. Recently CM of Manipur made a remark that accused of Pourabi, Imphal blast will not be spared. How many such statements are made by various leaders and to what result? Probably to tide over the current crisis till another crisis. One can make out the hollowness of these statements when cases pertaining to assassinations of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Parliament attack took so much time for investigation and action.

Society is being driven back to Tribalism. Where in people are interested in exclusivity i.e. Exclusive benefits, exclusive developments, exclusive rights not duties without accommodation for others. In this age of interdependence and intercommunication there is need of an Inclusive society that has room to accommodate and synergize. Every leader is out to draw benefits from the deprivations of a particular section of society instead of addressing them. The nuisance to be branded as scheduled tribe has also affected the innocent society of North East India.

Third wing of our democracy (Judiciary) meant to review the laws made by legislatures in the interest of public is kept in a dilemma. All out efforts are made to subjugate this important wing of our society. In last sixty years our constitution has been amended almost 100 times. Most of the amendments are aimed against activism of judiciary. USA is another democracy with 150 year old constitution but it had been only about a dozen amendments till date. 73rd constitutional amendment relates to basic democracy and Panchayati Raj where every citizen is connected to main stream democracy. During recent Panchayat Polls in Assam supporters of AUDF and Congress clashed with each other in Moirabari and South Assam. Can this happen without tacit support of the leaders? What message our leaders want to give to grass root democracy? Two parties of national stature have openly colluded with DHD groups of Assam i.e. DHD(N) & DHD(J) with resultant spurt in violence.

Now is the populace and militants. Latter are a very small part of populace with major influence on the society. They fall prey to vested interests (both inner and outside powers) due to some disaffection with the administration. Personal example of leaders will speak louder than their loudest voice. Silence of their actions will be heard much louder than their speeches. I agree that we can not find a solution to a problem at the same level at which it started. In the nascent stage this problem could be addressed as law and order problem with firm and selfless political will. Now is the time for twin strategy at physical and psychological plane.

Advertisement campaign of TATA tea conveys ample message that there is a need for qualification for political leaders other than money power and muscle power. Let our leaders become role models or idols like our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and similar others. Leaders need to shun parochialism and think leader like with all pervasive wellbeing in mind. They need to stop usage of famous Vidur Neeti of Sam (benevolence), Daam( monetary gifts), Bheda ( divisive role) and Danda( punishment) for propagating party/ self interests but State interests.

Once populace is convinced in their mind of unbiased social justice they would brave all odds to fight the inimical elements and deliver helping hand to ensure that policies are implemented in letter and spirit. Now is the time to fight this inevitable battle at physical plane and graduate to psychological plane through merger of thoughts, deeds and action. Here silence of action will be heard across all sections of society. No new militant outfit will mushroom to be banned by the Government.

Geoffery
(The writer can be reached out via
email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in)