The ascent of a bureaucratic State
That a coercive State often lacks a human face is amply proven by the manner in which the deepening crisis of migrant labour movement has been handled. A singular lack of empathy for the plight of migrants has marked almost every government step, the latest being the controversy over providing free rail journeys to those who wish to return to their villages. The initial rail ministry note betrays a complete absence of compassion for those living on the margins. Take Clause 11 c: “The local state government shall hand over the tickets to the passengers cleared by them and collect the ticket fare and hand over the total amount to the railways.” It’s almost as if the mighty Indian State is a cash collection centre, and migrant workers are despairing poor multitudes who must pay up or stay back in their urban sprawls. Did it really require Sonia Gandhi’s intervention for governments — be it at Centre or state — to recognise that providing a free and safe ride home is the least they can do for those who have been the worst victims of an extended lockdown?
Maybe the Congress’ interim president’s remarks were politically expedient — Congress-ruled states have also been accused of not doing enough for migrant labourers — but they also signal the urgent need for greater political involvement in the fight against the coronavirus, cutting across party lines. There has been almost a moratorium on political activity, as if any form of is against the spirit of the times that call for national solidarity.
And yet, the absence of dissent and dialogue is dangerous for democracy and only allows for a creeping authoritarianism to take over governance. A truly diverse and democratic society cannot hand over all powers to unelected bureaucrats, or indeed, to a highly centralised State apparatus. The government officials are much- valued players in the fight against the virus. But bureaucrats often lack the mass connect that have with citizenry, and are, at times, prisoners of their own red-tape-driven systems. Which is why we need more, not less political involvement in the months ahead. The Sir Humphreys have run the nation for the last six weeks; it is time for the James Hackers to now stand up and be counted.
Post-script: Earlier this week, a bookseller friend of mine rang up excitedly to say that he was opening up his shop in an upscale Delhi market. A few hours later, he informed me dejectedly that he had been asked to close down once again by a local municipal official. Reason? “Only shops that sell school and college books can open, not general book stores!” he lamented.