Open Forum
New Delhi, 19 January 2011
Murder of
Parliament
WHITHER DEMOCRACY?
By P K Nigam
Author, Reflections on
History of World in 20thC
Crores of rupees of public money are spent on Parliament,
which has not been functioning for the last few months. Some Opposition
political parties are lusting for power and want to win the next Parliamentary
elections to rule in Delhi.
They are using Parliament as a tool to fulfill their ambition. Clearly, this
action is most foul.
Undoubtedly, the people should denounce the murder of
Parliament, arguably the most important pillar of democracy. Sadly, the problem has proved to be too big
for politicians who think they can do anything to gain power. The aam aadmi need to take up the issue and
see that Parliament functions properly and serves the purpose that is required
of it.
If any MP is allowed to force Parliament to accept his
view(s), otherwise it will not function, this will result in the death of not
only Parliament but also democracy. Recall,
a Parliamentary democracy was considered necessary for a diverse country like India. The
country has weathered many serious problems yet it has survived. Democracy has served us well and made a floundering
poverty-stricken country into a major power marching to becoming one the most
important nations in the world.
History tells us that on 7 December 1947 India’s first Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to the States Chief Ministers whereby he
stated, “We have a great deal of evidence to show that the Rashtriya Sevak
Sangh (RSS) is an organization which is in the nature of a private army and
which is definitely proceeding on strictest Nazi lines, even following the
technique of organization …..
“I have some knowledge of the way the Nazi movement
developed in Germany.
It attracted by its superficial trappings and strict discipline considerable
number of lower middle class young men and women who are normally not too
intelligent… And so they drifted towards the Nazi party, because its policy and
programme, such as they were, were simple and negative and did not require an
active effort of the mind. The Nazi party brought Germany
to its ruin and I have little doubt that if these tendencies are allowed to
spread and increase in India,
they would do enormous injury to India,” he added for good measure.
After the assassination of Gandhiji, Nehru again wrote to the
Chief Ministers on 5 February1948, “We have banned the RSS organization.
Investigations are proceeding. But enough has come to light already to show
that this assassination was not the act of just an individual or small group.
It is clear that behind him (Nathu Ram Godse) lay a fairly widespread
organization and a deliberate propaganda of hate and violence carried on for a
long time.”
Nehru stated, “It is clear that a deliberate coup d’ etat was planned involving the
killing of several persons and promotion of general disorder to enable the
particular group concerned to seize power. … It is equally absurd to talk of civil
liberty to be granted to those who wish to seize power by murder and violence.
… We must remember that people opposed to us are thoroughly unscrupulous. They
say one thing and do another.”
Again, on 6 December the same year Nehru noted, “The RSS has
been essentially a secret organization with a public façade, having no rules or
membership, no registers, no accounts, although large sums are collected.” This
led the RSS to organize satyagrah from
8 December 8 1948 to 19 January 1949 to demand the release of their leaders and
removal of the ban on its organization.
While the ban on the Organisation was lifted on 2 February
1949, the RSS leaders including RSS Chief M.S.S. Golwalkar were released from
jail on 13 July 1949 after Golwalkar gave an affirmation of complete loyalty to
the Union Constitution and respect for the Union flag a day earlier.
Again on 31 December the same year Nehru wrote, “The RSS has
not indulged in any obvious public activity except for some ugly scenes at the
time of the Hindu Code Bill debate. But all our information goes to show that
their minds function as of old, and I have little doubt that they will act as
of old, when they have a chance to do so. We must, therefore, be on our guard
against these harmful developments.” This
is not all. Subsequently, Nehru told Gundevia, “The danger to India, mark
you, is not communism. It is Hindu right wing communalism.”
Undoubtedly, as historical records show Parliament has to be
saved in the interest of the nation and democracy. Why penalize the institution
for no fault of it. Today, the world over civilized societies believes that
punishment should be in proportion to offence. One cannot cut off the hand that
picks up a handkerchief. The time has
come for the public to demand two important things. One, Parliament must start
meeting and functioning immediately. Two, laws must be made to prevent MPs from
stopping its functioning.
Any Right Honourable seeking long absence from Parliament
should get permission from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha
Chairman. Permission should only be given for valid reasons and not for
political motives. In addition, in case of disobedience, withholding of a MP’s salary
and likely expulsion could also be weaved in. ---- INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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