President’s ambiguous remarks need clarification

The official committee in 1956 proposed linguistic basis for creation of new states. If it is not the language now, the Union Government should propose a new basis on which new States can be created. It is the bounden duty of the President as dictated by the Constitution to guide the Union government whenever it deviates from the right path

President is the head of State of Republic of India. He is the Supreme Commander of the Army. He is apolitical. Every word he speaks, every step he takes should be in the domain of keeping the interest of the nation protected. People keep faith in him because this time-tested institution has always stood by the people and upheld the Constitution, except on few occasions.

President Pranab Mukharjee is a matured politician. He has been in public life for the last five decades. He is such an astute scholar that he has witnessed several developments and the reaction of the people from close quarters. He is known as a man who speaks weighing each word and with a vision. But the recent remarks made by him have taken the analysts by surprise.

While participating as chief guest at the 125th Foundation Day function of Intelligence Bureau, he made some remarks. But the significance behind his remarks remains ambiguous. Soon after taking part in the function, the President arrived in Hyderabad on the customary winter sojourn. Hyderabad is the Capital of Andhra ` Pradesh. He sent the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill to the State Assembly in his capacity as President of India. Under such circumstances, his remarks on the failure of 45 crore people to remain bonded together at the time Independence.

It is, however, to be noted that Pranab Mukharjee, who knows history and political implications of the Partition of India, has chosen to thrown the blame of Partition on people. Indians had never preferred Partition of the country. The division was carried out on communal lines. The communal hatred between different communities was fostered and instigated by the British colonial power.

The President of India, who hails from West Bengal, knew how the British colonial rulers, had partitioned not only the linguistic province of Bengal but also people. As such, the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh now which has been fostered and instigated by the Delhi chieftains has stirred up emotions in the State. At such a time, the President's remarks on the Partition of India have naturally stimulated a debate on the pros and cons of his remarks.

Andhra Pradesh too is a linguistic State. The people here still aspire to live together for inclusive growth. However, analysts feel that Pranab Mukharjee cautioned the government in splitting the State in two. ”Caution should be taken in creating new states," he said. The President could have made this remark in the backdrop of the advice by Attorney General Vahanavati and Lok Sabha Secretary T K Viswanath and warning by Intelligence Bureau chief Asif Ibrahim that fissiparous tendencies may raise if the Telangana state is created.

Is the President putting the Union Government in a tight corner by sending the Draft Bill in which flaws abound? The official committee in 1956 proposed linguistic basis for creation of new states. If it is not the language now, the Union Government should propose a new basis on which new States can be created.

It is the bounden duty of the President as dictated by the Constitution to guide the Union government whenever it deviates from the right path. If the President feels that he had sent the flawed Bill to the State Assembly, he can at any point time recall the same. If his remarks contribute to cement the integrity of the nation, they should be welcome. If there are doubts that his remarks have sent wrong signals, it could be corrected by Rashtrapati Bhavan giving a clarification.

(The writer is a senior politician)