Resetting India’s national aim

By Justice Markandey Katju-

Justice Markandey Katju

(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)

Today’s political scenario in India presents a sordid sight. Our politicians, of all parties, are squabbling with each other, seeking power and pelf for themselves, with no genuine love for the people, and with that end polarizing society by inciting caste and communal hatred to get votes, an exercise in which they are experts.

The forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections to be held on 5th February, for which ‘saam, daam, dand, bhed’ ie all means fair or foul, are being applied by all 3 major parties, the BJP, the Congress, and the AAP, is a typical example.

But whoever wins in Delhi and elsewhere, it will make no fundamental change in the lives of our people, not only because our selfish politicians do not really care for making such changes, but also because they have no idea how to do it. So, whoever wins, it will be just a change of leaders, but with no basic change in the lives of our people.

As Manthara said to Kaikeyi in the Ramayan
“Koi nrip hoye hamein ka haani
Cheri chaand ki hoib rani”

i.e.

“How does it matter to me who will be king?
Will I be anything but a slave.”

The test of every political system and every political activity is one, and only one: Does it raise the standard of living of the people? Does it give them better lives?

From that perspective, it matters little who wins elections in India. The people’s miserable lives will remain unaltered.

Today India is facing massive socio-economic problems.

We must have a single national aim: To abolish our massive poverty, record and rising unemployment, appalling level of child malnutrition (every second child in India is malnourished, according to Global Hunger Index) and almost total lack of proper healthcare, good education and housing for the masses.

For that, we have to transform India from a backward to a highly developed and highly industrialized country, like the U.S. or China, with our people enjoying a high standard of living.

And to do that we have to launch a mighty united protracted people’s struggle, in which tremendous sacrifices will have to be made, led by patriotic, selfless, modern minded leaders, culminating in a historical people’s revolution, and setting up a political and social order ensuring a decent life and justice to all our people.

This requires total focus and concentration by the patriotic section of our people on this national goal, like Arjun’s total focus on the eye of the revolving fish in Draupadi’s swayamvar.

All patriotic Indians must therefore read these articles carefully.

(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

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