Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 12:23:42 -0500 
From: Ranjith Ravindiran Suresh <rs6x+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Refined solutions:

 What took 
place at Ayodhya is in my opinion another major symptom of what has been
going wrong in India. India is like a sick patient, it is now in worse
shape than before. If appropriate measures aren't taken and followed
upto, the patient(India) will die in time(states break up). So there are
other vital issues
which need urgent attention just as well. If you ask me, this what I
suggest:
 
Two paths: federation of Indian states or 

(1) granting special 'autonomy'
status to Kashmir and Punjab without haste. Along the order between
Pakistan and India, it should be saturated with anti-personnel mines.
And all exit points(except those under army watch) should be 'off limits to
public.' Similarly, along the Bangladesh border, it should be
closed(since the threat is less, no need for 'heavy' tactics). The
border should be under constant surveilance, from air and land. 
In addition, all Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh from 1989 in Assam
should be deported. 

2. Politicians who have exploited and nurtured communal
politics in any state should be removed from offices/if holding and
denied access there after to public office. 
 
3. Recognition and guaranteeing the rights of tribal units in Nagaland
,Bihar & other states. Only the presidential authority should extend
over these tribes. 
 
3. Prohibition on any religious affiliated party(Hind/Muslim)
party/organization to enter politics. 
 
4. Making it illegal for 2 or 3 different parties to 'collude' in
backroom deals.
 
It would make better sense to work for federal constitution or to copy
that EC(Eurpean Community)'s model in devolution of central government
power. Defense, foreign policy, a common currency, telecomunications and
'vital' modes of transportation will be under the federal government's
jurisdiction in such a solution. Currently, India is squandering
millions of $s just in containing
'internal-security' problems. The choice between federalism or eventual
anarchy rests not just with politicians in Delhi, but also with millions
of hard-nosed nationalists who have mastered the art of deniability.
Complacency. In the easy manner corruption has become 'acceptable', so
goes the tolerance of utterly faceles politicians. It is not enough just
to be loyal to family(and worse to the caste). Political responsibility
must follow that of family's if the country is to be ruled by capable
rulers. How else can you explain it?  

Maybe in the next election, a strong-willed candidate can campaign
exactly on this premise(federalism). If he gets a majority, then he has
a mandate. Either way, some of the measures I mentioned have to be
adopted. Possibly through a referundum(bypassing those MP's) or by
rulings. In the current system, the prime minister is more or less a
prisoner of special interests and regional party hacks(many of whom care
only about $$$$+mansions). He should not be hamstrung by his need to
seek 'consensus' with the 'crooks' in the parliament every time an
important decision has to be made. And lastly, the prime minister does't
have to resign unless he's impeached by both houses. Anyone looking back
to 1987, will know what had transpired till now. It needs to be changed.
And please, no more momination of family members if the sitting prime
minister dies. Let the people be given a chance to decide. India is not
a Hindu Raj.
 
Suresh
(doesn't reflect any organization's views)