Prez caution on smaller States

Makes a veiled criticism of Kejriwal’s dharna

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday night cautioned against the swamping of separate Statehood demands, without, however, making any specific reference.

Acknowledging that healthy differences of opinion could exist on such issues, he, however, deplored such a debate leading to an unhealthy strife.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 65th Republic Day, President Pranab Mukherjee said, “A democratic nation is always involved in argument with itself. This is welcome, for we solve problems through discussion and consent, not force. But healthy differences of opinion must not lead to an unhealthy strife within our polity. Passions are rising over whether we should have smaller States to extend equitable development to all parts of a State. A debate is legitimate but it should conform to democratic norms. The politics of divide and rule has extracted a heavy price on our subcontinent. If we do not work together, nothing ever will work.”

In a veiled criticism of AAP, the President sharply criticised the tendency to resort to anarchy as a substitute to governance. Echoing the unprecedented street protests launched by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Capital, creating an ugly spectacle of a Constitutional authority preaching anarchy, the President stressed on the importance of governance, pointing out that elections do not give any person the license to flirt with illusions. “Those in politics should understand that every election comes with a warning sign: perform, or perish,” he said.

President Pranab Mukherjee said, “Populist anarchy cannot be a substitute for governance. False promises lead to disillusionment, which gives birth to rage, and that rage has one legitimate target: those in power. This rage will abate only when governments deliver what they were elected to deliver: social and economic progress, not at a snail's pace, but with the speed of a racehorse.” The aspirational young Indian will not forgive a betrayal of her future, he said. Those in office must eliminate the trust deficit between them and the people, he said.

Scoffing at the cynics, he said democracy has never been betrayed by the people; its fault-lines, where they exist, are the handiwork of those, who have made power a gateway to greed. “We do feel angry, and rightly so, when we see democratic institutions being weakened by complacency and incompetence. If we hear sometimes an anthem of despair from the street, it is because people feel that a sacred trust is being violated,” he said.

With the growing focus on corruption, the President said, “Corruption is a cancer that erodes democracy, and weakens the foundations of our state. If Indians are enraged, it is because they are witnessing corruption and waste of national resources. If governments do not remove these flaws, voters will remove governments.”

Pointing out that General Election would take place, before his next address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day, the President said it gives an opportunity to heal after the fractured and contentious politics of the last few years. The President underlined the need for stable Government. “A fractured government, hostage to whimsical opportunists, is always an unhappy eventuality. In 2014, it could be catastrophic. Each one of us is a voter; each one of us has a deep responsibility; we cannot let India down. It is time for introspection and action. India is not just a geography: it is also a history of ideas, philosophy, intellect, industrial genius, craft, innovation, and experience. The promise of India has sometimes been mislaid by misfortune; at other times by our own complacence and weakness.

Destiny has given us another opportunity to recover what we have lost; we will have no one to blame but ourselves if we falter,” he said.

Despite the economic slowdown, the President pointed out that the last decade witnessed the emergence of India as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The slowdown of economy in the last two years can be some cause for concern but none for despair.

Pointing out that education has been an inseparable part of the Indian experience, he said it is not just ancient institutions of excellence like Takshashila or Nalanda, but today, the higher educational infrastructure consists of over 650 universities and 33,000 colleges. The quality of education has to be the focus of attention now.