The Mirage of Justice

“Lets be fair it should be a win win situation, your approach should be unbiased, you should keep that compassion ,passion & integrity high up there ” …. all this means we just be just , not biased, not parochial in our approach.

Justice means fairness , being fair means not being partial to some , preferential to other & step motherly treatment to the neglected. When you are in a car , a beggar comes on the signal & begs in front of you ” Bhaiya, aage jau ” is what say — we take his condition to be deplorable , ours to be privileged , we consider him to be just one of the many beggars — who wants to loot us presumably , a transgender is laughed off & made fun , we feel that these people dont want to work & eat for free ?? Let alone the person sitting in the car would still not have anything of his own — just living on the earning of his parents .. What is the Fundamental difference ??? just ACCIDENT of BIRTH … is the only difference that separates the two …

We take this situation for granted, our attitude is Apathetic, we don’t care & forget the very next moment, Our senses are immobile & we are not touched by his deplorable situation, we are not empathetic, let alone being compassionate. The huge cleavages in the society , where handful are privileged & large section deprived, where some enjoy the benefits, other live in deplorable , inhuman situations . Where are focus is on the outcomes that one achieves in life, MONEY becomes our Parameter of difference, SUCCESS is what counts … in short we are just bothered about the RACE – in fact just the winner of the race– … we dont care whether all the participants had proper kit, where all of them wearing sports shoes ?? or were some running with naked legs ?? all of them had proper built ?? did some of them not have money for a proper diet ?? some gained their physique by hitting the Gym,while others through manual labour ?? or were some handicapped among them ?? did they even have a common starting point ?? — The privileged today feel its their birth right to be privileged & others are born to be poor– the line of difference is very thin ..

We are some busy in our daily routine .. we have no time to think about these mundane things, ” Bhai jo hai vo hai , kya kar sakte hai ?? ” — JOHN RAWLS — an liberal egalitarian thinker — looked at JUSTICE to be the highest of all values — he kept it even over liberty & equality as a value. The Aim was to create perfectly just system. He wanted to give Equality of Opportunity to all, where the deprived have equal opportunity & compete with the privileged.

“ JUST or UNJUST are not just NATURAL facts — what is Just or UNJUST — depends on the way the systems of the world — treats them “ — Hence being poor, born in a rich family , being from the underprivileged sections , or even born with a golden spoon may be natural facts at that point of time — But it depends on the way the Society treats this natural injustice — Gives them equal opportunity, equal resources , identifies their dignity & what we call as INVIOLABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS — which means the rightness of a human being , dignity of a person should not be suppressed for the Collective good of the society .. “individuals position should be pivotal ” —- HOW CAN THIS BE DONE ??? — why are things unfair at the first instance ??

Human beings are complex species — they have tendency to both cooperate & conflict — when these individuals who lack qualities like empathy , integrity & compassion — are made in charge of a position of Authority , when they are given discretion — they take decisions that would benefit themselves the best , they are not in a position to understand what the needy is feeling, they are unable to keep themselves in his place. For instance RESERVATION in INDIA — is it GOOD or BAD ?? — it depends on which side one is ?? is one a VICTIM or a BENEFICIARY ?? taking decisions on immediate

gratifications ?? so have we lost our RATIONALITY as INDIVIDUALS ?? — we should go behind the ” VEIL OF IGNORANCE “ — according to Rawls — that means a person taking decision should know nothing about the particular talents, abilities, tastes, social class, and positions they will have within a social order. When such parties are selecting the principles for distribution of rights, positions, and resources in the society in which they will live, this “veil of ignorance” prevents them from knowing who will receive a given distribution of rights, positions, and resources in that society– he should focus on the beneficiaries — he used use his RATIONALITY & analyze what is best suited for the society … is this quality present today ?? off course not ...

Is giving Equality of Opportunity enough ?? — for example a underprivileged son of a bonded labor is allowed to sit for a prestigious exam with a son of a doctor, or a civil servant or an actor … Can both compete ?? should not their backgrounds be considered ?? is the starting point same for both ?? we should thus Compensate Individuals for their “BRUTE LUCK ” — here is where AFFIRMATIVE ACTION comes in , or giving extra advantages or privileges — “individuals should not be blamed for the decisions they take in Unchosen circumstances “…….

POLICY MAKING — especially in INDIA needs to go a long way — policy makers should develop the basic Emotional Intelligence , they should have the Compassion , Empathy because for persons in discretion — it is just another case , but for person in need it is their LIFE… we should keep ourselves in their places & make decisions — the privileged should value their position in LIFE & live each day with GRATITUDE .. we have a along way to go before we establish a Just society, free of inequalities, free of bias ness — The solution cannot be just giving equal opportunities , but making the Starting point same , by Developing EQUAL CAPABILITIES — so next time we see a underprivileged, we should not take things for granted , rather fill ourselves with Gratitude, be modest & try our level best to change the STATUS QUO………..

It is said that with respect to most of the social evils in India – more prominently Casteism and with respect to Reservation, our opinions in Public and Private life are different.With the above write up, I just want you to think pause for a second and think from the other side (for beneficiaries and victims both ) – I am in no way supporting the loopholes, forgery, people misusing it and some others suffering – in fact the entire idea is to promote BOLD DEBATE on the topic, all though Ram Chandra Guha states that ,”The Debate on Reservation in India – Generates more Heat than Light ” – still an attempt for Societal Peace is worth giving a try ………………..

always an optimist

CHINMAY DANDEKAR

All feedbacks will be appreciated on

chinmayud@gmail.com

( All rights of the blogs are reserved with the author , duplicity in any form without the consent of the author will be legally scrutinized

Tale of Two Democracies

                                        “DEMOCRACY”– literally means Demos + cracy -i.e  “Rule of the people ” ;  it has  today become the most fashionable , the most trendy word, “direct democracy” , “indirect democracy “,  “participative democracy “, “deliberative democracy ” – the concept itself has multiple variants . Its cool to say “we are democratic” , “lets keep things democratic between us” – we say in our private sphere. What is Democracy ?? Democracy is taking things to the least advantaged,  making him to participate in the decision making, it is empowerment of the masses, it is giving “power to powerless” , it is respecting human rights, upholding the principles of liberty, equality , fraternity. It is not only type of Government but “VALUE SYSTEM” 

                     I bring to you — TALE OF TWO DEMOCRACIES — one the oldest  & other the largest  , one preaching the values of equality, liberty, justice ,  human rights — but themselves violating those principles, they try to Impose democracy on smaller countries, they feel theirs is the “only way of functioning ” — they are monistic about their values, they do not subscribe by other people’s value structure, they feel other who dont subscribe by their teachings are BARBARIANS .

                    The other democracy — is nascent, it is just 68 years old ,  not even the average life span of an individual. It is faced by numerous difficulties day in & day out, it is surrounded by  cacophonous neighbors , it took huge efforts to recover from the colonial legacy , it faltered, it faced hardships, it was vulnerable to various threats , economic hardships, huge wars, corruption, cultural divides, religious riots — but he still kept standing tall ; it has kept the key principles of democracy alive. It manages largest number of voters in the world , it is poor –but its poor vote & vote in huge numbers – about 66 % — people participate in political processes, they come out protesting for a rape or when they feel that Corruption has crossed its limits.

                 The former democracy on the other hand , was preaching liberalism , UNiversal Adult franchise, equality , liberty to the world, but it got caught in its own web , the most literate people , the so called intellectuals –vote only about 45 % in their recent elections , do not even subscribe to their primary democratic duty . They vote a Fundamentalist to power, a Misogynist , a misanthrope & off course a xenophobic,  who through his speeches has deregarded women as “Second Sex” , other that Whites all to be inferior.

                   YES —- YOU ALL GOT IT RIGHT …!! — I am talking about United States of America & INDIA….

“for me the meaning of democracy is that weakest should have the same opportunities as the strongest” —GANDHI once said. 

                    USA & india — are probably the strongest propounders of democracy , but actually none are perfect — neither is European Union– which claimed to have  combined many democracies & give rise to the value of  “Multiculturalism”. Neither can  not voting in the elections can be called democratic , nor can just having elections in INDIA , be called as democratic . In todays world differences do emerge, the world is going towards Fundamentalism , National IDentiies are on rise &  the concept of “borderless world” getting blurr ,Globalisation & liberalisation which was considered ” to be end of ideologies ” be considered to be Absolute . Schumpeter calls ” democracy to be a marketplace, the politicians are entrepreneurs & voters are consumers “ Democracy  has reduced to “race between elites” — it is cirulation of power between elites, it is Oligarchies who are shaping up the present governments— even in India the voter is reduced to only means to achieve power — there are certain sections , who form the crux of DECISION MAKING — mainly drived by the Capitalists .

                  CHina while not subscribing by the model of democracy , has achieved progress  but the borders of China still remain opaque , Progress cannot come “at the cost of subjugating rights”  — Europe which supposed to lead most successful Integration project in the Form of “European UNIOn” is going to “fundamentalism” itself — nation & national boundaries are becoming relevant again. In India also , inspite of being “parliamentary & not presidential ” in form — people do feel comfortable with charismatic leadership —they wish to transfer their power for the sake of Security — “IF you sacrifice  liberty for security — you ultimately get none ” in the end.. 

 

                 The picture remains Blurr , there is no clarity , a sense of ambiguity prevails , the world remains in “Ideological Confusion”  –  the reason world is at crossroads , it will take time for those crossroads to clear out ; till what we can hope is Democratic values are upheld.The solution is not NO Democracy but instead MORE DEMOCRACY.

THIS is the way , we can get there…..

 

 

” Man’s sense of justice makes Democracy possible , but his tendency  & inclination for INJUSTICE MAKES DEMOCRACY NECESSARY “ 

always an optimist

CHINMAY DANDEKAR

All feedbacks will be appreciated on

chinmayud@gmail.com

( All rights of the blogs are reserved with the author , duplicity in any form  without the consent of the author will be legally  scrutinized)

BRIC(S) by BRIC(S)

                                           The World Order in International POlitics is ever evolving, from city states in Ancient greece to medieval kingships , Post Treaty of Westphalia giving rise to the concept of Nation States where Sovereignity of the nation was of Ultimate importance to Current MultiLateral World Order, where countries are dependent upon each other. The World in indeed interconnected, we are actually moving towards One Global Village. But metaphorically that village has different groupings within itself. From the time when POlitical Ideologies were the overarching principles – which glorified the principle of “MIGHT IS RIGHT” to the current situtaion where Economic Realities has become the new rationale.

                                           The present world revolves around Multi groupings, where the importance of global institutions like United Nations , IMF & World Bank are started to reduce, the post Cold War world no longer revolves around the Hegemonic paradigms of WEST. Fall of West & Rise of Rest is the new mantra. The hegemony of power like USA and some EU countries, disregarding the importance of Powers like CHina, India has developed as a irritant for them . Complaining of being moved by the thumbs of the few, The emerging powers like CHINA,INDIA, BRAZIL,RUSSIA & SOUTH AFRICA  have decided to carve their own way out by creation of BRICS.

                                            BRICS was the term coined by Goldman Sacchs, as this countries were initially viewed as most profitable destinations. BRICS which was initially formed  on geopolitical & geoEconomic considerations takes up variety of issues today. It signifies the new world order, it allows these countries to play a assertive role, it takes them forward , moving away from the hegomic paradigms of west & altering the Status Quo, It allows India to play a pivotal role ,it allows India to punch above its weight, progressively Rebalance Global Economy & enable Distribution of power, it allows us to explain our views on Inequalities & differences.BRICS represents 43% of World population & 26% of world landmass, it is land of 3 billion people.

                                            At a time when India’s current Foreign policy taking a complex & significant manoeour. AT a time when India pakistan relations developed a new trough, SAARC gasping for breadth, Chinese showing obstinate determination to hurt , harm & oppose India we need to make the most of this opportunity. The BRICS summit  at Goa tomorrow can turn to be a important juncture, with recent developments , Pakistan being diplomaticaly cornered by INda, Russia & pakistan conducting their 1st Security Drill, The BRICS meet  ,they meet to brainstorm of various burning issues.

                                         Along with BRICS , the IBSA & the BIMSTEC also meet at Goa. This is a movement for india to showcase its importance as a lynchpin, to justify its pivotal role. With India gears up to assert its position, it is going to be Crucial for South block to Balance the conflicting powers, to keep Bilateral conflictual issues away. According to Our PM – BRICS signifies the vital pillar of hope to the world & challenges being faced by todays world. The theme of the Goa Summit is Building  Responsive Inclusive & collective  Solutions. BRICS now needs to go beyond the Governmental Framework — India has planned for BRICS football tournament, Youth Summit, young Diplomats, Film festival — thus rightly moving towards developing people to people ties.

                                           The Goa Summit integrating BRICS,IBSA ( india brazil southafrica ) & BIMSTEC is expected to developed a new paradigm in India’s South SOuth cooperation. India has moved from the role of Golobal Opposer to Global Agenda Setter, a democracy promoter & a agent of Peace. Thus, the evolution of India’s Foreign policy from Idealism to Realism to Realpolitik & finally now revolving around Pragmatism seems to be completed a full circle

always an optimist

CHINMAY DANDEKAR

All feedbacks will be appreciated on

chinmayud@gmail.com

( All rights of the blogs are reserved with the author , duplicity in any form  without the consent of the author will be legally  scrutinized)

 

                                          .

VALUING DEMOCRACY..

It was 26th  January,1950 when we adopted our Constitution i.e. we decided our way of life in Independent India.It was beginning of the journey ,realising the dream and ambition of Democracy.Equality,liberty & justice; all these terms may look easy and theoretic today but back then it was a dream that less people had faith in.We had started the process of transforming Indians from subjects to citizens &the process of breathing  free and realising political sovereignty.

                   To value democracy we have to understand briefly about the history of democracy.It was  in 1776 that the colonies in North America declared themselves independent from British and in 1787 they adopted a democratic Constitution.The pioneers of democracy had given the world its first Constitution.The time when back in India the Marathas were fighting with Tipu Sultan, Shah Alam II was the Mughal Emperor and Lord Cornwallis was trying to spread the legs of the English in India, democracy had taken birth in  far west. The 20th century saw the transition of Democracy.Popular struggles by people for democracy,writing and rewriting of Constitution,military coup’s led to the formation as well as shattering of democracies in countries all over the world.Europe was inspired by the French Revolution.A big push in democracy formation took place after 1980 i.e after disintegration of the Soviet Union, 15 parts of the Soviet Union turned into Independent Countries.The map of democracies in the world kept changing & by 2005 more than 140 countries of the world were Democracies & some pretending to be Democracies e.g our wonderful neighbour Pakistan,Nepal,Bhutan that can be called pseudo democracies but more importantly democracy has become the style and the symbol of modernity and liberalism in the world.

                    Indians often complain about democratic establishment in that case we should compare ourselves to these Pseudo Democracies where they like to call themselves democracies but don’t want to give the power to the people.Countries like  Mexico,Zimbabwe where only one party comes to power every time with dirty tactics or countries like China where a single party governs the country & people are not allowed to form organisation or political parties nor to express their opinions freely,how will that development serve the purpose if your people are not free.Democracy should allow citizens to oppose, express their views & provide condition where incumbent government has sufficient chance of losing.

                    I get astonished about the immaculate  value based Constitution that the Constituent Assembly blessed us with.A mature document with parts borrowed from all over the world but adopted in a way that suited India the best with balanced flexibility and rigidity but more importantly it was done in the period of huge political turmoil when the future did not look as secure as it looks today.We need to introspect and ask ourselves, are we moving in congruity with their vision and aspiration ?……

                 I have seen people cursing democracy and saying , “In Democracy there is no stability,its all about political competition and power play where morality is at stake, corruption, allegations & dirty electoral tactics is hampering progress & we will never become a superpower given   a democracy like ours;I wish we had a system like the Chinese or the Americans”. I would say grass always looks greener on the other side.Yes, all the above aspects are true but reforms need to be done & they are being done however their magnitude can be debated but these things are not to an extent that they don’t serve the entire purpose of Democracy. Our Democracy makes our government accountable,it might lead to delay in decisions but we are protected from rash and irresponsible decisions because of the consensus between representatives.Our democracy, the electoral competition works in the long run.Our Political leaders are compelled to raise issues of pubic concern as they know they should perform or they will perish.We have in fact raised the importance of democracy by voting a 130 year old party out of power & make it look like an underdog.By voting a Chai Wala as the PM we have shown the world what worlds largest democracy and one of the strongest Election Commission along with 90 Crore electorate can do.Our democracy deals with differences and conflicts also India is together due to its democracy & dignity of people are intact or it  is being fought for.It allows us to correct our mistakes.

                   Our fascination about democracy makes us think that it can address all socio-economic & political problems & if those are not met we blame the democracy.We have to understand its just a form of government and it just created opportunities and citizens have to take advantage & achieve their goals . We should break our stereotypes,our prejudice and make the most of this liberal atmosphere.

               Let us try that combination of our politics and our social,regional,linguistic & geographic divisions serves the purpose of representing all sections of the society and does not lead to factionalism and disintegration of our country.Secularism should always remain the driving force of our democracy.In this case,” सबका साथ सबका विकास “ becomes an impressive and necessary slogan.

                    Yes,our democracy & electoral politics are full of challenges but the mere definition of challenge is problem with an opportunity of progress.Democracy has been imbibed in our day to day life.When someone says,” Common Dad I can do whatever i want its a democracy”  but the importance of this world can be well understood with the above background.Internal democracy,dynastic succession,money and muscle power remain the main concerns in our electoral politics but our dreams being ever bigger,our potential will overcome these problems if we move together with the spirit of nationalism and zeal of patriotism.

                   All in all our Constitution has given us a platform & an idea, we have to realise,value,establish and propagate these ideas.The fate of democracy depends not just on what the rulers do but also what the citizens do to establish these democratic ideals and fulfil their aspirations.

                   COME LET US ALL PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THESE DEMOCRATIC IDEALS AND MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AND MAKE INDIA A BETTER COUNTRY TO LIVE IN & MAKE OURSELVES PROUD…….

-always an optimist

CHINMAY DANDEKAR

All feedbacks will be appreciated on

chinmayud@gmail.com

( All rights of the blogs are reserved with the author , duplicity in any form  without the consent of the author will be legally  scrutinized)