செவ்வாய், 8 செப்டம்பர், 2015

DUTY OF LEARNED MEN - ARIGNAR ANNA


          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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