- People would have noticed how the Indian political narrative has veered toward the sanctity of the Constitution with both the incumbent central government and the opposition parties highlighting their unflinching faith while denigrating each other for compromising on the ideals set forth by the Constituent Assembly members. Of course, we are aware of how the political parties are looking out for issues that would enable them to score a brownie point or two with the electorate. They would never want to miss out on an opportunity to impress upon the electorate and also consolidate assiduously built vote banks. The country is also witness to how the elected representatives are hell-bent on disrupting the proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament.
PC:The Wire
- The ongoing winter session of Parliament is witnessing debate on the Constitution with the parliamentarians raising tremendous heat and dust making claims about the same. It goes without saying that the real debate on the Constitution should be centred around the rights of ordinary citizens. Heavens won’t fall if the debate on the Constitution simply meanders along targeting to impress upon the vote banks. Unfortunately, parliamentarians are cold to the fact that for those the House represents, the Constitution’s guarantees are barely enforced. Wherever the citizen encounters the state, constitutional guarantees turn into paper tigers. The living document has been called a revolution, and indeed the Constitution is for the people.
PC:The Hindu
- But the Union Government, State Governments, and political parties have a long-held tendency to curb rights, even bringing in legislation to curb freedoms. The Internet era is perhaps where the clampdown on fundamental freedoms has been the most pan-India, including shutting down the Internet for months the right to privacy runs parallel to governments’ self-arrogated right to ever-increasing surveillance. Young people still struggle to exercise, in safety, their right to marry their choice. The bureaucracy hardly ever questions politicians. It ignores its public duty and blindly pushes rule upon rule in an over-controlled society by stalling business, making unlawful arrests, robbing the poor of wages, and weakening the right to protect the marginalized.
PC:National Herald
- Worryingly, police powers run counter to fundamental rights, heavily influenced by extra-constitutional and extra-judicial power structures. Cops have always decided who gets access to justice and who gets to exercise any rights. In large parts, police are upholders of regressive practices – in the name of keeping the peace, whether that be turning a blind eye to the killing of a runaway bride or firing pellet guns at protesters. Sanctions are provided for dubious prosecutions and promises of speedy and fair trial remain just that. Had all govts been more mindful of the Constitution, in 75 years, the Supreme Court would have effectually settled all basic doctrine questions. Sadly, that’s not the case. The political parties should show more maturity.
