The real democratic country is where people are able to elect the representatives of their choice and in turn those representatives truly strive to fulfil their people’s needs and aspirations. In this sense, India is not a democratic country, though we may shout that ours is the second largest democracy in the world.
Today, a few individuals decide the fate of a billion people. It is no better than dictatorship. It is these few people who make you to elect the people of their choice. When the people cannot contest the elections in a free and fair manner, what is the fun in gloating over that we conduct elections in a free and fair manner?
It is painful to see that no party really debated the potential candidates for the highest post of the President of our country, either within the party or more importantly in public. They never thought of serious process of shortlisting names, debating the same and finalising the candidate as “Our President”.
These leaders’ prime consideration in deciding the Presidential candidate is to ensure that the person chosen is least independent in his actions and would be sub servient to the Kingmaker and his party in times of need. This is not said off the cup but based on our real experience of chosen Presidents from V V Giri onwards with perhaps one or two exceptions and the best thing that happened was the election of our present President, for whatever political reasons it may be. It is a wonder that politicians sometimes do good things though unconsciously.
Of course, the post of President in India is ceremonial and indeed a waste of public money. But in spite of this serious drawback, our President has given a new dimension to the post. He did it with decency and decorum without in any way interfering with the functions of the Cabinet system of governance.
He put forward his thoughts of future India from time to time to inspire not our politicians but common people. He gainfully utilised his time to interact with people in person and more importantly through modern electronic media to motivate them and to develop a pride among themselves about our country and its culture. He said it without hurting anybody or any group or any party. After Nehru, perhaps it is only A P J Kalam who was eager to mingle with children.
Perhaps, there were certain hic ups even in his presidency like imposition of President’s rule in Bihar, Office of Profit legislation, and the mercy petition issue. Not only in handling these issues but throughout his tenure, he had never given an impression that he was biased towards any individual or party or religion.
It is therefore a pity that the UPA, particularly Congress and Left parties, thinks that the President should have a political background. It only reflects their narrow mindedness in expecting the President to serve the political interests of parties. An independent President may not be to their liking, as they want their political power to be supreme. Anything which may come in its way including judiciary is just not acceptable.
If our MLAs and MPs have even a little bit of feel of people’s pulse, they would ensure that the present President is re-elected with dignity and decorum that it deserves. Perhaps for an Indian to expect that, may be too much. So, it is high time that we amend our Constitution for direct election of President, empowering all voters of this country to elect the President by casting their votes.
Meanwhile, voluntary organisations, intellectuals, non-political corporate personnel with high integrity, the media and above all the people should raise their voice and ensure that their representatives unanimously re-elect the present President for another five years.