DUTY
OF LEARNED MEN - ARIGNAR ANNA
The elite of the nation, and editors
of newspapers disseminate knowledge, and discuss about the problems of topical
interest, about the new laws that have been passed, and about the taxes levied.
This helps the public to get an intimate knowledge of the problems of the day
and their significance, and they are so much the better because of the
acquisition of such knowledge.
This task undertaken by the elite
and the intelligentsia, especially the editors of journals and newspapers, is a
very commendable one and shows their magnanimity and their conscious sense of
duty. They richly deserve the regard and respect of the people at large.
But their duty does not rest content
with simply elucidating about the problems of the day. The nation expects a
great deal more from them. More than 60% are illiterates in this land of ours.
If democracy is to function successfully and yield good results, the
educationists and the great intelligentsia owe it as their duty to take more
active interest and participation in the politics of the day. The price of
democracy is that these elders should take to the task of educating the masses
in elementary politics.
The congress is boasting of itself
that it has been the sole cause of the country’s achieving independence. But
the fact is that the congress is now creating many problems bristling with
difficulties incapable of any solutions.
On these insoluble problems that
plague the country, the congress has become a divided house and congressmen
hold diverse views on these topics of interest. From Ambar charka on to
American foreign aid, from prohibition to Mysore-Maharatta border dispute,
people of diametrically opposite views on these topics all call themselves
congressmen, despite their clash and conflict.
One class of congressmen demand the
scrapping of prohibition: another group of congressmen oppose it and both sail
under the same boat-congress. Congressmen hold the view that it is better to
die than go about to foreign countries with a beggar’s bowl; at the same time
congress has within its fold many practical men who view the matter in a
pragmatic way; beg, borrow or steal, by hook or crook, somehow get food from
foreign countries. Even Ministers make public statements which differ from
person to person or from time to time, of course all as their “personal views”.
The same is the story in respect of the Gold control order also. One section
clings to the policy of control and wants to retain it while the others desire
its repeal and both are of course staunch congressmen. The difference of
opinion persists in matters of the manufacture of atomic bombs, in respect of
the ‘public’ and ‘private’ sectors and also in regard to various other matters
of fundamental import and significance. Persons, who hold diverse and
conflicting views on matters of such momentous importance still clinging on to
the same camp, shows that they are not prepared to forego the loot obtained
there from, and also that, by themselves they are too weak and impotent to
organize an independent party on the basis of their differing ideology.
It is only a semblance of
cooperation, just to keep up show and this false show can never make the
congress strong. To say that laws, rules etc. passed by this congress has the
support of the entire masses of the country is to make a mockery of democracy.
The elite of the entire nation should bestow their careful thoughts over this
situation the country is placed in.
The congress party itself has
secured not even 50% of the votes of the nation. The fact is that it is the
single party which has secured the greatest number of votes, because of the
multi-party contest in the elections, and not that it has secured the majority
of the votes polled.
This sad state puts a damp on the
glow of democracy. The congress which has got only less that 45 per cent of
votes and represents a minority is put in power and office and runs the
government. This is a travesty of democracy. Even this minority of a party has
no unity in its ranks but is torn asunder by hundreds of differing ideologies.
Judged by this, the country is now ruled by a clique commanding the confidence
of less than 20 or 30 per cent of the population.
Is this democracy? The fair name of
democracy is tarnished and tainted by the Congress party.
Democracy in India is on the verge
of eclipse. The elite of the nation should take up the challenge and face the
crisis. If they fail to bestir themselves and act betimes, democracy will be
engulfed in darkness and is sure to die an early death.
The good and great men of the
Country should come forward to lead the people on to the right path so that
democracy may have a bright and glorious future.
Mr. Gajendra Gadkar, ex-Chief
justice of India, has been time and again emphasizing on the duty of the
intelligentsia of the nation to take an active interest in politics, if
democracy is to function effectively. Eternal vigilance is the price of
democracy.
General elections are fast
approaching. It is the sacred duty of the elite and the educated to deliberate
and use the franchise in a judicious way so that proper men are elected.
KURAL NERI - 01.06.1966
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