|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federalism in India: A Quest for New Identity IN the none too distant past, a debate on the subject of federalism often aroused suspicion and led to casting aspersions on the nature of its proponent’s patriotism. It is a mark of maturity and resilience of the Indian polity that the staunchest advocates of unitary polity have come to accept federalism as a "principle of reconciliation between two divergent tendencies ... and the need for local autonomy."
Some of us will recall that many commentators of the Mahabharata have interpreted that war in the context of struggle between the federal forces under the leadership of a strong centre held by the Pandavas and the triumvirate of Kamsa, Jarasandh and Shishupal to create genuinely autonomous states with the support of the Kauravas of Hastinapur. With the likes of Modi adding new dimension to the debate, it becomes easier for the rest of the country to dispassionately analyse the shrill demand for autonomy by the Kashmir leaders. Then there are a number of hill states that need to be protected by special laws lest they are swamped by the bigger and economically sturdier neighboring states. It is in this context that the work of Dr Sarita is different from many others who have dealt with the subject. She has steered clear of the stereotyped analyses of federalism and has injected the dimension of socio-cultural aspect. By doing so, she has made the subject a tool in the hands of a living polity to help it explore the full potential of its abundant talents. In this, the Constitution of India and how it functions is of great importance as also the fact that it is ultimately wielded by political parties that are not always immune from pursuing their narrow and parochial interests. But over a period of time, we have come to learn that space has to be provided to cultural and linguistic minorities lest they begin to feel alienated. Dr Sarita has also linked the politics of coalition governments with that of federalism and it must be admitted that the regional parties assume greater role than is warranted because of the inability of the bigger political parties to give space to the regional aspirations. The author has debated this and other dimensions that have influenced the centre-state relations and appropriately concluded that federalism today has come a long way from the traditional format adopted by the USA, though the greater challenge now is to see if we are capable of restructuring it in accordance with the demands of not only present but also future.
|
||
|
|
||
Dr
Sarita’s Federalism in India stands testimony to the distance
Indian polity has travelled since the days when a mere mention of the
Anandpur Sahib Resolution was enough to create a mental block even
among the most liberal sections of Indian society. How perceptions
about the subject have changed and how inevitable is the quest for a
new identity in a world, where new opportunities are endlessly
modifying the economic and social relationships, is best illustrated
by the demand of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to give more
financial autonomy to his state so that it is not bogged by the slow
pace of the other states. This is significant, for the party to which
Narendra Modi has not only been the most ardent champions of a strong
centre but also one which often looks into the hoary past to explain
the present.