CATCH THE BULL BY ITS HORNS
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Veteran Colonel Shaitan Singh Rajan
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1. The people of Bharatvarsh, the largest Democracy in the world, gave unto themselves a Constitution which came into effect on 26 Jan 1950. Abraham Lincoln defined Democracy as, ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people’. But after 63 years of Independence, what is it that we see on the ground? The reality is, Democracy in India has been subverted & sabotaged by a Gang of Four, viz. 1. The corrupt politician; 2. The corrupt Bureaucracy; 3. The corrupt Law enforcement Agency; and, 4. The corrupt Business Houses.
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2. Where are we as a Nation? The Nation today is in dire straight. The polity is being taken for a ride. The Country is being raped & looted by the Gang of Four; so much so that, today, Democracy in India is - ‘Government of the Thugs, by the Thugs and for the Thugs’.
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3. What is the root cause of our ills? Though our Founding Fathers gave us a world class Constitution, they could not foresee the depths to which the people would sink to subvert & sabotage the Constitution. Our experience over the past six decades has shown that the West Minster Model of Democracy, adopted by us, on the lines of the British, is most ill suited; for, it has given way to ‘aayaa-raams & gayaa raams’, dynastic rule, extra constitutional power centres saddled with unbridled powers without a semblance of accountability or responsibility towards governance; and regional satraps weakening Central Authority under the garb of Federalism.
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4. What is the way out? It calls for structural changes to our Constitution, which cannot come about in the normal fashion; because the vested interests (read the Gang of Four) would brook no changes to the existing setup; for, it suits them fine in looting the Nation and in subjugating the masses. The recent developments in Egypt should be an eye opener to them. But would they heed the warning? NO.
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5. Am I suggesting Army Rule? NO and a resounding NO. Nothing can be more disastrous for this Country than Army rule; for, it must be realized that no country, I repeat, no country has ever progressed or prospered under Army rule. One does not have to go very far to realize the truth. Pakistan, Bangladesh & Burma are glaring examples as to what depth the Country can sink under Army rule.
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6. Structural changes and who is going to order them? If we wish to survive as a Nation, our only hope is the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and the Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court of India. In the supreme interest of this Country and in the interest of the people of Bharatvarsh; and, for the survival of Democracy, I strongly recommend that the following steps be taken:
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(a) Under a proclamation by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, backed by all the Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court and the three Service Chiefs, the Presidency, the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the State Legislatures be dissolved.
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(b) A Governing Council comprising eleven eminent citizens, experts in the field of Law, Economics, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Ecology & Environment, Medicine, Education and the three serving Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy & Air Force, with a mandate to rule the Country for a maximum of one year; by the end of which, a democratically elected Govt. headed by a President, shall be sworn in. One amongst the members of the Governing council shall be nominated as the Chairman of the Council, by turns, every month.
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(c) The Governing Council shall convene a Constituent Assembly comprising seven eminent citizens, well versed in Constitutional Law and shall include a retired Chief Justice as Chairman and two retired judges of the Supreme Court; to study the existing Constitution, its strengths & drawbacks, in the light of past sixty years of experience; and, recommend structural changes, resulting in Indian Democracy becoming truly vibrant and India, a torch bearer of Democracy. The Constituent Assembly would be given six months time to submit its report; at the end of which it will be debated at all levels and in various forums; and shall be passed by way of a referendum to be held all over the Country, with all citizens participating.
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(d) The Governing Council would also constitute committees, having mandate of six months, to study and recommend structural changes in the following Organisations & Institutions, with regard to their administration & execution of their assigned roles, without external influence; so as to be truly autonomous with freedom to act & perform their duties without fear or favour:
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(i) Election Commission.
(ii) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
(iii) Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG).
(iv) Direcor General Central Intelligence (DGCI).
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7. Structural Changes Recommended to the Constitution.
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(a) The present West Minster model be replaced; and, switch over to Presidential form of Govt. at the Centre; with Governors in the States. The tenure of President and Governors shall be restricted to four years; with the proviso that no person can serve as President or Governor for more than two terms.
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(b) The tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures shall be restricted to four years and that no Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the State Legislative Assembly (MLA) can serve for more than two terms of four years each, ie. either two terms as MLA totaling eight years or two terms as an MP, totaling eight years; or, one term as a MLA for four years and one term as an MP for four years, totaling eight years. Such a step would result in drastically reducing corruption and encourage probity in public life.
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(c) 10% of the seats be reserved for women and 15% of the seats be reserved for Ex-Servicemen in the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures; which would have all round salutary effect on Democratic norms & functioning.
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(d) Service in the Armed Forces, viz. Army, Navy & Air Force for a minimum period of five years be made mandatory or compulsory for all individuals seeking employment at all levels, both in the Central Govt. and in the State Govt.
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8. The above are only random thoughts, which merit serious consideration and to be debated & crystallized, if we want this Nation to survive, progress & prosper.
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Veteran Colonel SS Rajan
Social Activist,
Brief Resume
The truth and absolute reality speaks of a patriot vateran and son of a vateran.
ReplyDeleteAmit Bhadhuri
Col Rajan, r u not suggesting the end of democracy, ultimately. coz it started paying poor so the so called educated and elite wants it to be abolished. and by the way, who will decide who is the eminent citizen in particular field. Is our prime minister is not an eminent citizen. to some it may be hema in the field of art and cinema and to some mallika and wat bout ms. sawant. Plz educate me who will decide that who is eminent. As for as judiciary is concern, for god sake and also your knowledge sake, plz plz visit a court and see the fact how honest they r
ReplyDeleteDear Colonel saab,
ReplyDeleteYour confidence on higher judiciary is commendable. However, before suggesting anything new, i request you to kindly read history and know about the judgements of judiciary during declaration of emergency in 70s.
95% Bharat is ruled by 5% India. I think the Col. has not experienced the working of judiciary. Unfortunately Some judges even in SC are law unto themselves and decide case as they think it should be and not what the written law reads. Because they are not answerable to any body in India. So whatever is told by Col is correct except that judges alone can not be given authority to decide the course suggested by Col. but process should start under a care taking PM and a committee of Judges and representatives of army/navy/airforce/IAS/IPS/IRS/States/MPs etc. till referendum result is out. Present day democracy system is fooling the people who are the actual ruler but the servants(judges/MPs/IAS/babus/)becomes rulers after their apponitment/election and start giving what they(public)servants wish and not what the people want. lets have real democracy from the gram sabha level upward. The public servant must give what the people want. now a days ministers/MPs/MLAs through advertisements shows as if they are giving from their pocket. Every public servant paid by public is answerable to the public. A public servant(president/judges/PM/ministers/MPs/MLAs/Babus) who is paid by the people should not be exempted to give answer/information except on national security and personal life.
ReplyDelete