By SUNIL SETHI
A lot of hue and cry has erupted as a fallout of Uttar Pradesh Government’s dictate, now followed by governments of other states too, to display personal identity of the vendor or shopkeeper on way of Kanwar Yaatra Route.
Here a very humane and relevant factor comes in focus that what exactly are governments formed for and what all should be the basic concerns of any government?
It is commonly understood that Social Welfare, Education, Health, Agriculture, Public Distribution System and Security of nation & its nationals happen to be top priority of any government of any country or state. But, today’s scenario of national or state governance in India of some states seems to be doing advocacy on religious lines as this dictat of Uttar Pradesh Government is, somehow, directly related to Religion, Caste and Community!
What’s any government meant for?
Simple answer – to strengthen the integration of any country or society!
Keeping hand on our heart can we say that above mentioned initiative of any government will strengthen the social fabrication of a country?
Natural answer will be – No!
Why in the past few years religion has become omnipresent in political strategies?
Why?
A Very Big WHY I ask?
Political platforms should not at all be used for religious ends, I believe and stand with!
Such a practice will, certainly, play a catalyst role in disintegrating social fabric of the country. It is to be understood here that Religion is something very Personal with Faith as its central constituent, whereas, Nationality is something Unanimous with Duty as its central constituent. Any government is expected to be committed to Duties rather than Faith!
Here, seemingly, intrusion in Faith is being established by an imposition of monetary fine of Rs 2, 000/- or so.
If this same practice is applied to Medical Field and Services, then? Just imagine if any Kanwaria, on way, unfortunately suffers Heart Attack or any other medical urgency, then will he or she pay attention on such identity boards, if displayed, on Medical Stores, Clinics, Hospitals or Blood Blanks!
Will any government dare for putting or pasting Community or Caste Identities on Blood Donation Packets?
Answer for this, most probably, will be a Unanimous No! But, recent dictat by Uttar Pradesh Government is to be taken as an effort to baffle people on caste or community lines for political gains.
This dictat will not only dig a deeper ditch between Majority and Minority, but also within same caste too on lines of Swaran and others. Minority, of any sort, is bound to suffer on business front because of this move.
This dictat, as getting on to a national platform now, be an effort to divert the attention from allocation of very high amounts to the states whose governing parties are supporting the Centre, in comparison to the demand of Delhi Government asking for Rs 10, 000 Crores from the Central Budget.
Reasons can be various, but the outcome will be one, that is, hurting social fabric and harmony of the country! I believe no one can deny this.
The results of recently concluded Parliamentary elections have rung danger bells for the party in power, but, it seems, instead of learning from the results, party in power, is more stringently beating religious lines, thus, putting nation and its nationals in peril.
I am sure, we Indians, as always, will rise above such dictates and with saner sense prevailing, defeat any fallout for making a stronger and better India for Humanity and its Growth!
I, as a Senior Journalist, do not at all affiliate to any political party or move, but, being a part of Fourth Pillar of Democracy, do feel agitated on such dictates which try to take us away from being Humans and Indians, as a whole!
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