Dr. PP Singh
As and when election to the Parliament or Assembly of states are held in the country we oftenly come across an unpleasant word ‘polarisation’. It has always been seen that whether national political parties or regional political parties whose position in the election is not upto the expectation they oftenly allege winning party for polarisation. This is very unfortunate. Some of the leaders of national parties and regional parties stalwarts frequently talk of polarisation. We do have Parliament election after every five years in the country and except J and K where the election are held after every six years and in rest of Indian states, the election are held after every five years. The candidates in the elections are mostly elected on the basis of their performance and very rarely on the basis of party popularity. Then where lies the question of polarisation.
India is a country which possesses unity in diversity. It is home of Aryan or Hindus, Jains, Budha and Sikh religion. India has welcome all religions, so Muslims both Shia and Sunni, Christians both Roman Catholic and Protestants, Parsis and Jews reside here. Hindus themselves are divided in various castes having different traditions, social setup and way of life but Indian Constitution has provided highest office of President to Muslims, Harijans and to Sikhs. Similarly Prime Ministership has been provided to ladies and Sikhs. Highest offices of Governors or Chief Justice or army and of secretariat or bureaucracy and police etc have been to Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians and to ladies. In 2005 highest authority was with foreign born Roman Catholic Christian lady, Prime Ministership, Chairmanship of Planning Commission were with Sikhs. Thus India is the only county where highest posts have been conferred to minorities, ladies and concession and privileges to weaker sections.
In Britain, no Roman Catholic Christian can be a king or queen. In USA , Russia and China no lady has become President and this highest office is given only to a person who may follow same religion or ideology, which possesses majority in country’s population. India is a true democracy, where highest offices and concession have been given to all without any consideration of caste, creed, religion or sex.
Therefore, entire election process is being carried out in most democratic and secular way in India. There is no scope for polarisation, people who are voters, exercise their franchise without any fear and political pressure. They elect their candidate of their own choice irrespective of caste and creed he may have. The elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner and results are declared under tight security arrangements. The voters are at liberty, they are free at will to caste their votes in favour of any candidate. So will of majority prevails. Allegations and counter allegations by political parties oftenly observed. It is not a new phenomenon, usually happens during electioneering but it should openly be condemned because on one hand we talk of secularism and on the other hand about polarisation. These are two contradictory statements. If the elections are fought on the basis of polarisation and India with 82 per cent Hindu population would have never gone for the election of people of other minority community. Therefore, the slogan of polarisation has no place in present political setup in India and is out rightly rejected by intellectuals and people of modern Indian society.
Though the Constitution of India prohibits the exploitation of religion, caste, community. During election times these feeling are much exploited by all political parties in one form or the other. In every political party there is a great importance of the leader. A popular and dynamic leader can take the party to height of its glory.
Religious politics has greatly influenced Indian politics. India which is geographically and historically one country and due to conflict of religion stands divided now. Inspite of this Christians of Nagaland and other states are demanding autonomous powers. Akali Dal of Punjab stands for reservation and promotion of Sikh religion and Punjabi language in Gurumukhi script. Similarly Muslim league and Itihd-ul-Musalmins, Hurriyat of Kashmir play their role on communal basis etc. In India no political party can survive without cooperation of fanatic religiou parties. In past Congress tried to win Muslims with the help of Muslims with liberal outlook such as Maulana Abul Kalam, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Asif Ali etc but Muslims overwhelmingly supported fanatic and orthodox leaders of Muslim league. Realising this Indira Gandhi favoured fanatic orthodox Muslims such as Faqruddin Ali Ahmed and Justice Beg etc. Who supported emergency to keep all Hindu important political leaders in jail, but lost majority support of Hindus. BJP under the banner of NDA followed old Congress policy of wining Muslims support through liberal Muslim leaders such as Najma Heiptullah, who is grand daughter of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Mukhityar Abbas Naqvi etc but failed to win not only Muslim support but also lost support of RSS, Shiv Sena and VHP etc and lost power. On the other hand SP of Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD of Lallu Prasad Yadav in Bihar and Congress etc came to power with the help of fanatic orthodox leaders such as Jamir and Sibte Razi etc and who have been given Governor’s posts. It may be pointed out that Congress and Shard Pawar sided with worshippers of Afzal Khan in constructing of Masar for worship of Afzal Khan and got beaten by followers of Shivaji and Shiva Sena. Ram Vilas Paswan paid back Lalu Prasad in his own coin by declaring only Muslims can be CM of Bihar and brought fall of Rabri Devi Govt. In foreign countries votes depends on politics, issues, achievements and economic development etc but in India votes depends on support of minorities as their votes are consolidated and solid. While majority votes are divided on the basis of castes and lot of other considerations. Thus constitutional declaration of India as secular is a myth. In actual practice fanatic orthodox religious parties decide the issue. But the present government slogans Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Hath and Sab Ka Vikas is the agenda and manifesto of NDA and not the votes on account of polarisation.
