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Swaraj is Still Waiting to be Born in Indian Democracy

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Swaraj Not Obtained Yet, Suraj is a Constant Process

Swati brought to my attention a video by Prashant Kishore (PK) where he is explaining the meaning of the Jan Suraj Yatra that he and his team are currently carrying out in Bihar.

PK in this short video says that Swaraj (Self -Rule or Self-governance) has been obtained, but successive governments after 1947 have meant to stress that the governance provided by them has been Suraj (good governance).

However, I would like to say that even Swaraj has not been obtained as yet. Many Indians believe that India got its Swaraj once the Britishers left the shores of India in 1947. In a way, you might say that. But dig deeper, the harsh reality is that white sahebs have been replaced by Brown Sahebs. Over the last 7 decades, our democracy (Lok Tantra) has been captured by Party Tantra. The political parties in India have grown into thug gangs where they give the perception of representing people’s wishes and desires, but in actuality, they are huge power centers and impose things on us. Three major ills of current political parties in India:

  1. They are Undemocratice in their own functioning (lack inner party democracy): High command culture and godfather culture are the usual ways of their day-to-day conduct. Solution: Political parties need to pave to internal organizational elections and selection of candidates via primaries (public candidates/ Lok Ummedwars).
  2. Financial Opacity: Political parties have become the hubs of black money, wheeling dealing, and wrongdoings. Tickets are brazenly sold. Solution: Strict financial regulation, transparency, and campaign finance. Electoral Bonds should be scrapped immediately.
  3. Refusal to be accountable: Indian political parties blatantly refuse to come under any scanner, including RTI. Solution: Scrutiny and RTI implementation for parties.

Thus, there is a clear disconnect between people’s desires and the current affairs of polity in our country. A real Swaraj would only be obtained when the political parties behave ethically and follow the norms and regulations as per the law of the land. I would blame ECI to some extent. ECI has not really warmed up to the idea of exercising its constitutional powers to regulate political parties.

Panch Sudhaar – Country Needs them Right Away

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Prime Minister Modi called for Panch Pran (oath/pledge) from the Red Fort on Independence Day.

These pledges are: Taking pride in our civilizational roots, Removing traces of colonial mindest, a developed India by 2047, Duties and responsibilities of citizens, and unity among workers.

Not to be outdone, the chief of AAP who is discredited with the removal of donor lists from his party’s website soon jumped out with 5 Kaam (tasks). Flushed with unaccounted money, he is threatening to take a nationwide tour in the name of Make India Number 1 and exhorting Indians to join the National Mission, he is trying to set his own agenda. Misleadingly enough, he is coming to the same rhetoric that this project has nothing to do with party politics.

The fact remains that the aspirations of the country can be met with sudhaars (reforms). (Photo: Canva)

The political parties are desperate to outsmart each other because the very survival depends upon showing each other down or in poor light. Whereas, politics demands that the elected representatives work with the spirit of working together for nation-building.

The fact remains that the aspirations of the country can not be met without sudhaars (reforms). Mere incremental changes will not help, we need reforms to galvanize our country. There are many reforms that we need, but Panch Sudhar (5 Reforms) that we need immediately are:

  1. Ban electoral Bonds- the symbols of black money in politics
  2. Bring political parties under RTI
  3. Right to Recall and Right to Initiative
  4. Ban big currency notes immediately
  5. Give 7 % of the national budget in form of untied funds to Gram Panchayats to empower them in a realistic manner.

The country needs real reforms to bring an overhaul. So, Panch Pran is good, no one is stopping them to do Panch Kaam, but we really need Panch Sudhaar in order to upgrade our democracy.

“लोक उम्मीदवार” के माध्यम से भाई-भतीजावाद की समस्या को खत्म किया जा सकता है।

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हाल ही में प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने कहा कि हमारे देश में भाई-भतीजावाद (Nepotism) एक बहुत बड़ी समस्या है। राजनीती में परिवारवाद, भाई भतीजावाद का बोलबाला आपको स्पष्ट दीखता है- गांधी, लालू ,करूणानिधि , मुलायम,देवीलाल -चौटाला, ममता -अभिषेक, इत्यादि। लेकिन प्रश्न यह उठता है कि इसका उपाय क्या है?

तो आपको बात दें की इसका उपाय भी राजनीतिक दलों के पास ही है। पार्टियां जनता का प्रतिनिधित्व करती हैं, तो परिवारवाद, हाई कमांड कल्चर जैसे विकारों को पार्टियों से खत्म करने का दायित्व भी उन्हीं का बनता है। लेकिन क्या यह राजनीतिक दल अपने आप को सुधारेंगे? क्या बिल्ली अपने गले में घंटी खुद बाँधेगी? अगर आज की स्थिति को देखा जाए तो लगता नहीं कि ऐसा कुछ होगा। लेकिन क्या जनता इन राजनीतिक दलों को, पार्टियों में व्याप्त विकारों को खत्म करने व सुधार लाने के लिए विवश कर सकती है?

देश में भाई, भतीजावाद एक बहुत बड़ी समस्या है। (साभार: Wikimedia Commons)

आज भारतीय लोकतंत्र पर राजनीति दल इस कदर हावी हो चुके हैं कि वह एक गैंग की तरह नजर आने लगे हैं। आप सभी ने राजीव दीक्षित का एक वीडियो देखा होगा जिसमें उन्होंने कहा है कि किसी भी एक नगर में या क्षेत्र में हमें अपना जन प्रतिनिधि चाहिए, तो हम (जनता ) उसका चुनाव कर उसे संसद में भेज सकते हैं, इस के लिए यह दल या पार्टियां क्यों चाहिए?

तो उनकी इस बात से यह समझ आता है कि वास्तव में लोकतंत्र में राजनीतिक दल न भी हो, तो भी लोकतंत्र को चलाया जा सकता है।

इसके अतिरिक्त अगर हम इस परिकल्पना में न भी जाएं की राजनीतिक दलों को पूर्ण रूप से खत्म कर दिया जाए, तब भी अगर राजनीतिक दल इस तरह का सुधार लेकर आएं कि उसमें कोई भी सदस्य उतना ही हक रखता हो की वह पद, जिम्मेदारियों के साथ पार्टी में आगे बढ़ सके। यानी कि पार्टी में आंतरिक लोकतंत्र की स्थापना हो।

पश्चिम जगत के देशों में इस प्रकार के रिफॉर्म्स को लाया जा चुका है। उन देशों में ऐसी प्रणाली विकसित की गई है, जिसकी वजह से राजनीतिक दल किसी एक या कुछ लोगों की बपौती नहीं बनती है। इसलिए परिवारवाद-भाई भतीजावाद जैसी समस्या वहाँ देखने को नहीं मिलती है।

भारतीय परिप्रेक्ष्य में यह करना असंभव लगता है, लेकिन अगर हम प्रधानमंत्री की बात पर जाएं तो इसके कुछ उपाय यह लगते हैं।

  1. भारतीय निर्वाचन आयोग (ECI) स्वतः प्रधानमंत्री की भावनाओं का ध्यान रखते हुए, आंतरिक लोकतंत्र (inner party democracy ) के लिए कानून बनाए। या ऐसा सिस्टम बनाए की अगर राजनीतिक दल आंतरिक लोकतंत्र से नहीं लेकर आती हैं तो, पार्टी की मान्यता रद्द कर दी जाएगी।
  2. संसद के माध्यम से भी इस पहलू पर विचार किया जा सकता है और कानून बनाया जा सकता है।
  3. लोक उम्मीदवार (Lok Ummedwar): जनता भी राजनीतिक दलों की गुंडागर्दी, धाकड़बाजी, माफियाखोरी से परेशान है। और इसको खत्म करने के लिए, जनता भी एक व्यवस्था के तहत लोक समितियाँ बनाकर या मतदाता परिषद के तहत, जनता बड़े स्तर पर, अपने क्षेत्र से अपना उम्मीदवार या प्रतिनिधि खड़ा कर सकती है। उन जन उम्मीदवारों को भी चुनावों में राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधियों के मुकाबले चुनाव लड़वा सकती है। आप इस विचार को लोक उम्मीदवार (Lok Ummedwar) भी कह सकते हैं। इसी के माध्यम से राजनीतिक दलों को भी विवश होना पड़ेगा की वह अपने में सुधार लेकर आएं।

Lok Ummedwar: Solution to Nepotism

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PM Modi says: Nepotism is a big problem for the nation.

And he is right on the spot.
However, the solution is easy:
Mandate Inner party Democracy (aantrik Loktantra) for Political parties. ECI and or Parliament can do it.
BETTER STILL, people need to choose their own candidates (Lok Ummedwar) and contest against political parties.
Bacause: लोकतंत्र के उलटे पिरामिड को सीधा करने का समय आ चुका है।

“एक बार यह नारा दो, उम्मीदवार हमारा हो”
#LokUmmedwar
#LokSwarajya #JanSansad #लोकउम्मीदवार #JanSansad #Swarjaya #LokSwarajya

Inner Party Democracy: Solution to Nepotism of Indian Politics

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On Aug 15, 2022, Prime Minister Modi stressed from the Red Fort that Corruption and Nepotism are still significant challenges to the country.

Let us look at the UK. Indians are keenly watching if Rishi Sunak- of Indian decent- will be becoming the Prime Minister of England or not. Currently, Rishi is busy undergoing Primary elections whereby contenders compete within their own party for votes from their party members. This system of primaries within parties gives a fair chance to every aspirant to take a shot at the intended goal. In the US presidential system, primaries (also called caucuses) are held and thus, the game is open to everyone. In other words, we call this phenomenon Inner Party Democracy.

In India, the concept of Inner Party Democracy is sorely missing (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

In India, the concept of Inner Party Democracy is sorely missing. That is why we see sons, daughters, nephews, and even son in laws becoming powerful in the political parties.

I hope Mr Prime Minister takes follows up on this issue. The solutions are within his hands and readily available. For example:

  • He can appeal to ECI (being an autonomous body) to take this issue up. No one can stop ECI if it puts out a diktat to political parties to set their house in order. ECI will surely listen to PM’s conscience.
  • Parliament can take the issue of Inner Party democracy and bring about a law in this regard.

Equally important: The public keeps a follow-up on this issue and builds up pressure on all political parties to reform their system to achieve the goal of Inner Party Democracy (Aantrik LokTantr/ Swaraj).

Note: Just a decade back a nascent political party promised Inner Party Democracy /Swaraj. When ascended to power, it simply left the public in the lurch on this promise. As the public, let us not get disappointed by this bewafai. There is a lesson to be learned.

Corruption Issue Raised by PM Modi: Solution is within the Sight

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On the 75th independence day of India, Prime Minister Modi candidly admitted that corruption and nepotism are a big hurdle in the development of the nation.

Mr Modi also gave a clarion call for the Jai Anusandhan pledge. This is a significant move as India not only needs to bring back focus on Scientific Temperament, we need to give impetus to scientific research and funding.

Corruption Issue Raised by PM Modi: Solution is within the Sight (Photo: PIB)

Coming back to the issue of corruption and nepotism, I truly appreciate the candid admission by Mr Modi. However, being the Prime Minister and having a clear-cut majority in the Parliament, I would call upon Mr Modi to enact the following REFORMS with immediate effect. While these 10 reforms are not an end in themselves, they will pave the way for larger reforms. The country needs an overhaul of the system. Incremental changes alone will not meet the needs and hopes of India – a vast country with huge potential.

List of Reforms that India needs without losing further time:

  1. Higher denomination bank notes (Rupee 500 and Rupee 2,000) should be taken out of circulation.
  2. All political parties must be brought under RTI(right to Information)act.
  3. Right to Recall
  4. Right to Initiate.
  5. One Nation – One election. Thus,
    Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Gram Panchayat elections must be
    held every 5 years at the same time.
  1. All courts of law must work 7 days a week. The number of courts must
    be increased and the vacancies for judges ought to be filled.
  2. A simpler single tax should replace the present GST.
  3. Should a sitting MLA or MP change his party then he/she must step down
    and a fresh election in the constituency be held.
  4. In order to bring transparency to political funding the ‘ Electoral
    Bonds ‘ must be done away with.
  5. Approximately 7% of the total national budget should be allocated
    to Gram Panchayats in order to facilitate them carrying out village
    developments. This will truly bring Swaraj to the doorstep of villages.

Issue of Nepotism: Let us admit, that party-based politics is actually hampering the growth of the country as the politicians continue to divide us with partisan agendas. Political parties have become like organized gangs with ills of high command culture, family rule, and ill-gotten money. Dear Prime Minister, the constitution of India is not very specific about the role of political parties. As a statesman, can you take steps to lessen the role of political parties in Indian democracy? The nation will be forever indebted to you. While partyless democracy may sound like a utopian task, at least the Parliament can enact laws that bring Inner party democracy within political parties. Some electoral reforms like holding primaries, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) or preferential voting, or treating NOTA like a candidate (eg. if NOTA gets the highest votes, the election will be held again), etc. can improve the level of democracy.

India is capable of deciding its destiny. Let the political will complement the resolve!

How to Reclaim the Democracy? Lok Swarajya is the Answer

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Today in India it is August 15, 2022. It is the 14th night in Chicago. We as Indians are celebrating the 75th year of Independence (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav).
On this day, my thoughts about how to Reclaim our Democracy. Lok Swarajya is the answer to the current ills of our Loktantr (democracy).

This article has been published at NewsGram.

https://www.newsgram.com/politics/2022/08/14/time-to-reclaim-democracy

IndependenceDayIndia

reforms #LokSwarajya #LokUmmedwar #JanSansad

अमर उजाला में प्रकाशित यह लेख: देश के उलटे पिरामिड को सीधा करने का समय

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आज देश को चुनावी, न्यायिक, और प्रशासनिक स्तरों पर सुधार की सख्त आवश्यकता है, और हमें यह भी समझना होगा कि  इस समय पार्टी आधारित राजनीति सबसे बड़ी बाधा के रूप में हमारे सामने खड़ी है।

On the eve of America’s Independence Day, let’s understand American politics

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On the eve of American Independence Day (July 4), having lived in the USA for almost 20 years, here are my thoughts. Without sounding cynical, I still believe that the US can continue to be a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom of speech, but for that to happen, the politicians and thought leaders have to do some soul searching and bring true democracy back on track.

1. DARK MONEY: The US is no more democracy at this point, It has steadily transformed into an oligarchy.  The common man has no actual say in politics and policy. 

That EVIL ruling by none other than the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) in the year 2010 (United Citizens Vs FEC case has legitimized and accentuated the role of black and Dark Money in politics. Now that money rules US politics, your ideas and activism are secondary.

This image was shot by me in Bloomington IL

2. Lobbying: The system of lobbying has essentially created a system where you keep corrupting the lawmakers and Congress. It has turned lawmakers into money-sucking parasites of the corporate world. Lawmakers essentially work for the interest groups and not for the welfare of the public.

3. Too Less the Players: The 2 party system is not working. They are so polarized that they refuse to work for the needs of the public. This duopoly has to be broken. We need at least a couple of more significant political parties to represent the aspirations and needs of the people.

4. Gerrymandering is a serious blot on the US democracy. How can Democrats and Republicans decide the voting maps according to their suitability? It is a clear conflict of interest as far as the public is concerned.

5. Many grassroots organizations are working hard to get the rights for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) – also called the Preferential voting system. They want RCV to replace the First Past the Post voting system. On a personal note, I fully endorse this.

6. Liberty and Freedom: The US needs to make conscious efforts to keep this as the plank because erosions seem to have started. 

7. Racism: The Americans are nice people, but I still do not understand why this issue keeps making headlines. Times are changing and we need to bury this. 

Happy July 4!

Bhoomi Poojan for Electoral reforms: When will that happen?

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Congrats to the nation that today (Dec 10) Prime Minister Mr. Modi shall perform ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ for the Temple of our Democracy,i.e., a stone laying ceremony for the construction of a New Parliament building.

However, It is time to start working on cleansing Politics also so that our Temple becomes clean and pure:

1. Bring Political Parties under RTI.

2. Transparency in political funding (Chanda kee Pardarshita) is badly needed. The electoral Bonds introduced in last 3 years have actually struck a death blow to the principle of transparency and accountability.

I hope Mr. Modi paves the way for bringing much-needed electoral reforms in India.