FOREGONE CONCLUSION

But the rath has not stopped rolling. The avatar from Mathura now beckons for recognition. Why should the Shiva worshippers settle for less? Rulers such as Aurangazeb, the last great Mughal, and even democratically-elected Indira Gandhi who tried to impose their beliefs and will by being authoritarian were felled by regional uprisings and popular rejection. This then is the great lesson of history. India can only be governed and kept together by the persuasive use of authority and not by the imposition of will. The elected government can govern not just with the support of a majority in Parliament but by also catering to the aspirations and demands of the many groups of the colorful mosaic that India is. We also have a tradition where some nationalities enslaved others. Just as India is a nation of diverse people, it is a nation of diverse victimisations. What the founding fathers sought to enshrine in our Constitution is to ensure that the march of victimisation is halted once and for all. Solomonic judgments don’t help in that.

The writer, a policy analyst studying economic and security issues, held senior positions in government and industry

The superfluity of statements on the Ayodhya verdict by the RSS chief and its affiliates not to celebrate the final verdict on Ayodhya betrays the fact that the verdict is a foregone conclusion. So much is the confidence, that a delegation of BJP leaders approached the DGP of Telangana state and requested extra security in the sensitive areas. Disconcerting actions make one wonder whether the independence of the custodian of our Constitution has been seriously compromised. It is time the saner minds get into action to save our last bastion of democracy lest the silence of the good people does irreparable damage to our cherished ideals.

Mohammad Abdul Hakeem

Tolichowki, Hyderabad