Author: J.S. Rajput
Publication:
Date:
Never before the results of a general
election have galvanised a select group of self-proclaimed secularists
as this year's election results. These darlings of the Left found themselves
in a position to bargain with their masters and took this position of power
to heart. No persuasions, only requests for immediate compliance, no questions
can be asked, no verification of facts permitted. They made it very clear
to the powers-that-be that their role was to act as per the manifestations
of the desires of this select group of eminent ones. No excuses in terms
of technicalities, procedures or formalities were to be allowed to come
in between the "suggestion" and its implementation. To keep an eye on the
pyramid of power from the outside, without the attendant responsibility,
is a pleasant, rewarding and productive exercise. Education, and by implication,
the future must be controlled by the Left in its glorious hour.
For the communists it was a question
of survival, even though they termed it as "saving the country from communalist
damage." Success came easy; practically every institution in the field
of education and culture was put under inquiry. Umpteen numbers of properly
constituted committees and other academic and professional bodies have
already been purged of their "communal" elements. Others are under close
scrutiny. It is being made very clear to them from all quarters that their
days are numbered.
The pace of change in the 21st century
is unprecedented. The pace of change displayed by the "tainted" individuals
did not satisfy the eager eminent ones. Once, even the Prime Minister was
asked to explain what he means by "left fundamentalism." All this did produce
results, in that more were sacked and more inquiry committees set up. But
the pace of change still fell short of their expectations. Hence, the warning
in the shape of the diatribe from the pontiff at the top: "Desaffronise
our institutions" appears in the People's Democracy under the byline of
Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet. It makes both news and noise.
The article begins on an expected
note, highlighting the need to remove individuals who were "put in the
saddle in these institutions, often in total disregard of the norms governing
such appointments." No one has, till this date, pointed out a single case
in which the procedures applicable were changed or modified. No instance
has been cited of the ineligibility of any of the appointees who are under
the scanner; whether they were not qualified, professionally incompetent
or had not acquired due recognition and acceptability in his or her area
of expertise. A question that would remain unanswered is, if the procedures
are the same, the search committees and selection committees are constituted
as per the provisions, why focus on the last five years only; why not the
last 10 or 15 years?
Interestingly, what has happened
during the last couple of months has not escaped public attention. Those
who have been appointed, nominated and selected as the torch bearers of
secularism, religious harmony and social cohesion, may not like to pay
any attention to such aspects at this stage. Anyway, the irregularities,
mismanagements, nepotism and bungling in appointments etc., are to be examined
only for the "cursed" five years, neither before nor after. Sample just
one instance in the current context. It is being hotly discussed in the
higher academic circles that the University Grants Commission has recently
replaced its nominee on the ICHR by a historian who, it is said, never
taught a single class in any university and never wasted his valuable time
in mundane pursuits like research. He was facing an inquiry in his parent
department for an alleged fraud. That made no difference. It is another
matter that an international award to an Indian is blocked because of a
pending "second" inquiry. An unheard of act in the international arena,
the award was for "outstanding contributions in innovations and research"
spread over 40 years and not just for the last five years. Is this alone
not a shining example of fair play and everyone being treated equally?
The outburst of the esteemed comrade
puts every one of those to be sacked, in one category. It appears that
in India, one has to belong to a particular hue to be eligible to get a
job or a position. Anyone who does not subscribe to that "imported ideology"
must be discarded forthwith. Even that is not sufficient. Such persons
must be insulted, humiliated and subjected to continuous mental torture
to ensure that they keep their mouth shut failing which every effort would
be made to ensure that their credibility is fully destroyed. The ex-NCERT
director, as per the verdict of Comrade Surjeet, is the fellow who "went
(the) whole hog to saffronise school education." Correctness of facts or
ethics or norms are of no relevance to him; he can cast any aspersion on
anyone. Surjeet pronounces his verdict that the NCERT director "should
have been sacked forthwith, as that would have sent a clear cut message
to the secular and democratic masses of this country that the UPA government
is serious about removing the venom of communalism from our body politic."
The list of the condemned ones continues
to swell every day. The lifetime contributions to Indian culture and heritage
by Sonal Mansingh must be discarded only because she accepted an assignment
when the custodians of secularism and national integration were not in
power. Kireet Joshi's contributions to philosophical research and promotion
of Indian culture are appreciated nationally and internationally. Committed
to a cause, he relinquished the cushy comforts of the bureaucracy, opted
for a demanding life of research, generation and creation of knowledge
and received commendations from Indira Gandhi. They can even remove Anupam
Kher from an official position. But how will they wipe out the respect
and regard he gets from millions of Indians who adore him? The varied talents
of L.M. Singhvi have left an indelible mark on several areas of professional
and intellectual activity.
When Shabana Azmi finds the mid-term
removal of people seen as belonging to other political affiliations "extremely
unhealthy," one sees a ray of hope. Mahesh Bhatt has hit the nail on the
head when he witnesses it as "a brutal display of power" and goes on to
express the bare truth, "What does it matter if fascism comes in the colour
saffron or red?" It is a wake-up call for all Indians, to think and rethink.
J.S. Rajput is a former director
of the NCERT
