By Noor Ul Shahbaz
Two hungry persons holding peels of a banana but the fruit has been already eaten by the rich, is it development. If we jettison the nations resources for being consumed by capitalists the people below the poverty line will have to hold the peel, and the fruits, which are euphemistically described as “growth” having been craftily consumed by corporate capitalists. The developmental aspirations of the people unfold themselves through various stages of freedom movements, violent resistances, subsequent upward surge with strong commitment and strength for achieving something best for themselves or the future generations. These movements are not individualistic in nature but collective and hence must yield fruits for all on the basis of a basic principle by which the grand norms of democratic countries as well as the United Nations start i-e,, “We the People”. The principle is of worth if appropriated in the practical lives of people. We the people mean billion and million population of the states and not the billionaire’s and millionaire’s. By using the above principle in the Constitutions, it mandates use of nations natural and human resources must be utilized for all round developmental dimensions of the people. In a democracy, it is an essential pre-requisite to have an ideal model of development. The formulation and implementation of policies greatly depend on the “model of development” adopted for this purpose. It is because of the fact that democracy and its institutions have their origin and evolution within the general masses and it must repay them as per the principle of “Utilitarianism” given by Jeremy Bentham. The end of the policies must be to prevent evil and produce some good for all and not for a handful of people. If it is a contract by the people, of the people and for the people then it is justified only when there is egalitarian well being of masses. The state as a democratic institution cannot claim special position or privileges and on the other hand muscle the basic rights of survival of its subjects by its erroneous policies. It is one of the various human organizations which are necessary to protect and ensure the harmonious working of man with man. It is legitimate and can be justified in a democratic system in so far as it defends and furthers the principle of interdependence of the people. If it acts in the above way it is entitled to be upheld and encouraged, and if it does not, the people have a right to revolt against it and suppress the state itself, and at the time the whole idea of such a fictitious personality is meaningless. The state must so as that it does nothing which may injure the principle of democracy upon which it depends, and more positively the state must do all which tends to promote democracy. So, the social contract in which people entered in ancient times and today as well are entering has to serve a purpose of peace, prosperity and well-being of all irrespective of any differences. We empower the democratic authority to represent and such representation must yield benefits not only for the ruling class but for all. I must quote Mahatma Gandhi that, “a half-naked symbol of hungry homeless, jobless multitudes, gave a talisman to the ruling class: when in doubt, recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man you have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him… will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny?… will it lead to Swaraj for the hungry and starving Millions?”.
He demanded production by masses, not mass production and it is the policy which leads towards a welfare state. The glory of democracy “sovereignty of people” can be regained only if democratic socialists unite without factions and divisions, and win, without discrimination distributive justice by full and fair use of resources of the state, give just opportunity for all to share its work, wealth and happiness. The main component of a nations development is the educational facilities for the needy and underprivileged getting the state’s first charge, far above the pampered seven star pleasures of millionaire’s, the desiderate socialist concern for the health, food, shelter, income of “We the people” is a most in democracy for its healthy development as well for the people. When the survival of common masses is at stake due to lack of essential requirements or other exigencies, it means survival of democracy is about to expire. Television everywhere, cars in every garage in every house and consumerism urban and rural, commercialism even for education and medical facilities, do not constitute sensible or sensitive participations of the people in economic advance. Unfortunately this idea of “growth” has diluted the economic vision, which blinks the right to life and dignity of the humblest have-nots. Justice VR Krishna Iyer in his book titled Law and Life with regard to the condition in Indian state has wrote, “The miseries of the many stare us in the face and what we glamorously feel is the elite minority affluently flaunting their slavery wealth denying distributive justice any place in our sky-high, Westoxicated philistine culture. Sky cities, Yanke style, are the distortion of Development, hijacking the great Tryst with Destiny. There is no green revolution, no brown revolution, no social justice revolution, with the result that the land mafia and high-technic mafia control ownership urban and agrarian, ignoring environmental population which produces diseases through our food, air, water and multiplying accidents in the functional anarchy of our feudo-capitalist economy. Suicides are escalating on a large scale; violent crimes terrorize homes, schools and public places. When independence came, the masses had great expectations. But expectations darkened into anxiety, anxiety into dread and dread into despair. This is where we are. When, according to our highest echelon in politics and power, the great moment of a U.S-India Nuclear Deal has arrived we shall not miss the bus they are betraying our Founding Fathers, plus Gandhi, Nehru and India. Indeed, the other day, the supreme leader of the ruling party is reported to have said, (Vide Malayala Manorama) that those who oppose the Nuclear Deal are enemies of “development of the country”. What a pathetic and bathetic surrender of Swaraj culture. What is the philosophy of development these political barons have? Anyway, neither Gandhi ji, nor Pandith Nehru could or would have agreed to nuclear energy largely designed to serve mega-Bussiness Houses and technological giants to facilitate exploitation of our resources and carry away huge profits…Big powers not only occupy the economy of other countries but also influence their foreign policy, political perspectives and social philosophy. They have hidden agendas disguised under innocent human rights and developmental deals. Beware of Big Powers!” The all round development of common masses cannot be sacrificed on the grounds which have secondary value or importance. The disadvantaged too should find a place to enjoy the sunshine of the country’s growth and development.
Conclusion: Democracy is based on the social contract which is yet in existence and involves participations of masses and their representations in general without any discrimination by giving peels of banana to a hungry citizen and its fruit to rich so as to further the maxim, “rich get’s richer and poor gets poorer”. Development must be as such to uplift the common masses and must not be seen in the eye of nuclear deals to serve Mega Business Houses at the cost of innocent Human Rights.
Noor Ul Shahbaz (MA, LL.M GOLD MEDALIST) is a Lecturer and former acting Principal at Sopore Law College. He can be mailed at im1415151819@gmail.com
