17th April

Democracy Works

The article talks about the successful first round of elections that got completed yesterday, despite violent attacks by Maoists that killed 18 people across the country. The author expresses that just as various sections of the society saw this democratic process as a way to solve their problem, even the external agents like Maoists would follow the suite. 

Indian Elections are the unique phenomenon in the democratic world owing to the huge size of its electorate – 714 million – and the complexity of the issues facing the nation. Thus it’s apparent that the occasion is also a chance for the extremists to express their opposition as reflected in the Maoist violence in the first phase of elections. While security forces are playing their duty, it also becomes all the more responsibility of the elected representatives to ensure delivery of public services to the electorate who risk their lives and go for voting. Earlier, Hurriyat used to boycott the elections in J&K but the popular belief made them change their stand. Because of this, J&K saw successful assembly elections last year since the public saw it as an opportunity to participate in state affairs and influence public policies. Even the history suggests that election boycotts have rarely been successful in India except for J&K, Punjab and Assam when they are held in extraordinary circumstances. 

Early India saw election boycott allegations by the lower caste people over the upper caste but it gradually vanished owing to social churning post-independence and now it’s mainly because of external agents like Maoists and other terrorist groups. Hopefully some day they would also see the light.

The China Tantrum

The article talks about the dirty game played by China to obstruct India’s progress in every possible way it could. The main reason unofficially is the issue of Arunachal Pradesh that prompts China to apply every possible pressure on India.

While China has decided to withhold its approval of the ADB loan to India, it is very much visible that the issue of Arunachal Pradesh is the primary reason that was also reflected in the Beijing’s protests against President Pratibha Patil’s visit to the state few days back and PM Manmohan Singh’s visit last year. However, such obstructionism has no place for the two countries that are growing healthily in the current economic scenario. Instead synergies, like the one by collaboration between ONGC Videsh Ltd and China National Petroleum Corporation for joint bidding for projects, have paid well. Or even more relevant example of Sikkim settlement in 2003. Although New Delhi can hardly do anything substantial in retaliation except for the Tibet issue that has been an international shame for China, such step would only be more counterproductive. China has used all possible international forums to pressurize India, be it ADB or attempt to block NSG waiver or resisting India’s membership to ASEAN Regional Forum and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. 

Finally it should be made clear to Beijing that its relationships with Delhi is more based on quid pro quo and that it should more concentrate on its positive implications rather then negative.