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India in Transition…
India is undergoing a similar transition. In their unprecedented press conference, the Supreme Court judges appealed to the people of this country to save Democracy. The appealants are those who are expected to deliver justice to every common man and woman of this great democracy in the highest court of law. But even they have now appealed to the people of this country, the most powerful court of India. The world is watching these events as an angst of Indian democracy. At this time, we all have the responsibility to fight the decisive battle against this Manuwadi authoritarian regime. Starting today, this blog from me will be a small but determined part of this battle.
Almost three and half years have passed since the people of this great country elected the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Next year, on this day, the election ball would have set rolling. But as a citizen of this nation, we must ask one critical question. What have we really achieved in the last three and half years? The manner in which Modiji’s call for ‘Acche Din’ was received by the people was astounding, but did the government subsequently show any respect towards the people’s sentiments?
Last week, I happened to stumble upon a television interview of former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha. He articulated in precise words, what not only me and my other colleagues within the NCP but millions of Indians have been feeling largely. He said, “Mandate of 2014 has been wasted completely.”
In 2014, the country received its first government with absolute majority for the first time in the last 30 years. Following the murder of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi attained power with an unprecedented majority. It was this power which became the stepping stone for Rajivji’s vision to take India towards the 21st century, transforming it into a pragmatic powerhouse of the world. As a part of his vision he laid the foundation of the digital revolution in this country. Using this foundation, the Indian youth with their in-built hardworking capability and stubbornness projected India as an IT superpower to the world. This is called foresight and ingenious implementation of policies to fulfill the vision.
What is in store for us today? Which vision did Modiji show with his massive public support of 2014? Which are the schemes that he introduced to propel India’s development?
Let’s examine one of his schemes as an example. Make in India! The fact is that it has been nothing but only an announcement. I often visit Chakan industrial area in Pune district. Once upon a time, this area with bustling activity was well-known for the production of complex components for the automobile industry. Today, the deafening silence will take your breath away. Hundreds have lost their jobs. Medium scale industry, earlier working on double shifts, is closed. This is the real picture of Modiji’s Make in India. This is not Make in India, but ‘Brake’ in India. This government has applied brakes to India’s development.
Agriculture is affected far worse than the industrial sector. Recently, I along with all my colleagues in the Nationalist Congress Party walked from Yavatmal to Nagpur, covering over 150 kilometers. This was a part of our ‘Halla Bol’ agitation against the government and its anti-people policies. Maharashtra has witnessed over 10,000 farmer suicides in the last 3 years. Sadly, Yavatmal tops the chart. Hundreds of citizens joined us at different stages of our protest. We witnessed the pink bollworm pest destroying the cotton crop and the state government’s absolute neglect. 37 farmers have lost their lives due to pesticides. This is horrible. And yet, no firm action has been taken against the responsible officers. We are seeing a farmer in Marathwada and Vidarbha who is more scared of this government than of a natural calamity. The uniform feeling among farmers across all regions is that the government has no right to remain in power, not even for a second.
With this type of chaos all around, the only outcome had to be a drop in the GDP. Based on drops in each of the recent quarters and as per the latest forecast, India’s growth rate is expected to be around 6.5%. It has dropped by over 2 percent points in the last 3 years! India is witnessing a reverse trend of a declining economy at a time when the economies the world over are showing the symptoms of improvement. We are facing a slowdown all over. The faulty policies of the Centre and the State are responsible for this.
Today, no big investor is daring to invest. Please check this fact. In the last 3 years not a single major industry was set up in Maharashtra. The investment numbers are dismal. Similarly jobs have declined. Be it IT, be it banking or even the power sector. We must think of the reasons behind all of this.
As per my understanding there are two important reasons for this. First, the government’s failed policies. We just saw the reality of Make in India. Demonetisation and the faulty implementation of GST have destabilised the Indian market like never before. It has broken the back of the domestic industry, particularly the small and medium scale sector. Not only from India, but criticism is pouring in from all over the world over this irresponsible handling of matters. I am sure, you have read this. Discontent within society is a second reason for matters to turn worse. The wisdom of our forefathers tells us that a new shop hardly finds an opening in a village that lacks peace. The same rule can be applied for bigger industries with minimum to no exception. The government is announcing memorandums of invesment but the money is nowhere to be seen on the ground.
Where do we stand in terms of social harmony? The Manuvadi brigade, which takes pride in claiming affinity to the present government has taken our country into a zone of fear and absolute disarray. Be it cow protection or love jihad, gharwapsi or restrictions on food and clothing habits of people; these fringe elements are terrorising citizens all over. The Sangh Parivar is playing its dirty trick of keeping all sections of society under constant fear to push their agenda. This has become a real hindrance in the path of development. The rulers have turned a blind eye on this violence to safeguard their position of power.
These instances of violence began soon after the Modi government took charge. Intially we hoped that Modiji would speak loudly against such acts and step in to put a stop to them. But his poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat has raised serious questions about his intent. His speech dividing smashaan and kabrastan was delivered with the sole aim to widen the gap between the Hindu and Muslim communities. His much famed Gujarat model of 2014 was orphaned in the Gujarat poll campaign. He did not utter a single word about development. On the contrary, igniting dispute between religions and castes helped him secure numbers which are barely satisfactory and make the state government stand on the edge.
To tell you the truth, this is the real Gujarat model! Create disputes within society, break the peace, start riots in the name of religion and caste using goons at your service and then hold on to power. This is his true Gujarat model.
In Maharashtra, attempts are being made using the Bhima-Koregaon incident by this communal and power hungry ideology to poison minds not only of the Bahujans but every Marathi who is a believer of Shahu, Phule, Ambedkar and considers Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an icon. But Maharashtra has realised this internecine plan!!
It is us, who are bestowed with the responsibility to counter this. Maharashtra has shown direction to the country every time. Maharashtra has put its life on the line to keep all religions, castes, sub-castes, communities, ethnic groups of this country united. The time has come to raise our voice and call for yet another battle.
This ancient, cultured country has to progress taking inspiration from our constitution. With joined hands, our battle is to defeat all divisive and communal forces. This confrontation is of positive transition and of positive change. We must enter the battlefield with the blessings of Aie Jijau. Success awaits us!! Because the only bond that we share is one of inclusive development and humanity!!
Jai Shivrai ! Jai Bhimrai !!
– Supriya Sule
India in Transition…