Reservations to Nehru Gandhi Family?

(This is the author's second blog, which also happens to be on Politics again. The choice was not all that intentional, but though he believes it magically turned out to be another political analysis. To caution, again the intention was not to aim at a particular person or a group, but just an analysis on the history, (on which he tried to take as neutral stance as possible, atleast to the best of his intentions). Healthy debates and discussions are warmly welcome, either on emails/posts or over a coffee :D )


An interesting line to begin with - 'Till 1947, we were ruled by the aliens. Since 1947 we are ruled by the alienated.' It was from our ex- HRD minister and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Mr.Arun Shourie. I am sure he must have meant referring to the present politics in general, maynot be referring to any party or 'dynasty'. Probably, he is not that big a 'politician', or rather not that big a 'politician' yet.


As the title says, I would like to reflect on 'Reservations to the Nehru Gandhi family'. Let me be clear, I am not advocating it, but I am trying to analyse what has happened over the past sixty years of the great Indian political drama. Again, I would make some assumptions or see the things from my own frame of reference or the way I understand the history of Indian politics, which may not make everyone happy. But, my intention is not to make everyone happy either.
India had its 'tryst with destiny' of independence way back in 1947. Our prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was truly charismatic to the core, carrying an impressive profile and a clean image. What we understand from the history and his own picture of himself, he was a sensitive, charming, easily influenciable, highly educated man from a well-to-do family, who seem to be influenced by the strong Fabian socialitic ideologies. Although some of the Right conservatives of India, would claim that Mr.Nehru has 'snatched' the opportunity of becoming the first Prime minister from a powerful leader, Sardar Vallabbhai Patel. Perhaps, Vallabbhai Patel's image of pro-hindu, or being strong and stern would have led the people like Gandhiji to opt for Nehru over Sardar. Lets not debate on this.
But, if we agree upon the choice made by the 'most' Congress men of that time, we have Panditji before us, which might not have seemed that bad an option afterall, even to the supporters of Patelji. In the very words of Patelji, Jawaharlal was a 'patriot' and he also says, "after all, he is also a Hindu and that a Kashmiri Hindu", in a letter to his collegue. But then, at the time when we couldnt afford blunders both in the internal policy decisions, and external affairs, Panditji seemed to have tumbled on too many. Panditji had laid foundation for three traits, which Congress party seemed to have stood for the next coming years - 'Ambivalence', 'Dynasty politics', and 'pseudo-secularism'. Let me be clear on what exactly I mean by these words.
Jawaharlal Nehru has stood for many issues for which he seemed to have either lack of clarity or was particularly ambivalent in the issue. Take the Kashmir issue for instance, it was perhaps the only Princely state which Panditji took 'special responsibility' on annexing into Indian Union (as he was a Kashmiri Pandit himself), while Sardar could be termed as 'successful' in doing the job of rest nearly 500 of them. We witness even now, on how well the job is done. Then comes, Panchasheel, on which ofcourse I cannot elaborate now, owing to my limited energy. Probably, another blog at a later time.
Kuldip Nayar outlines the events surrounding Nehru's terminal days and the succession to the prime minister's position. One of his loyalists, Kamaraja Nadar (who is venerated highly as the CM of Tamil Nadu), approached Nehru and asked whether he should install his daughter as the P.M. in succession. Nehru was supposed to have said "not now"(did he meant, 'may be at a later date?'). Ofcourse, Nehru could not degrade himself to ask that his daughter be chosen for the job. However, after the brief period of Lal Bahadur Shastri, we had Mrs.Indira on the PM hotseat. Although my next claim/statement might seem a bit aggressive or a personal remark, but I will go about it. Probably, Nehruji had a different understanding about the 'democracy' itself (Perhaps, to replace 'people' by 'my family' in Lincoln's famous statement on democracy? ).
In the words of Prof.Ramchandra Guha, "Nehru empathized with, but desisted from reforming Muslim code; he preferred to leave it for a later day and to Muslim leadership." On the other hand, after the assassination of the Mahatma, many of the Jan Sangh and RSS leaders like Guruji Golvalkar etc., were kept in jail, without a proper trial. Probably, the very idea of the present situation of 'pseudo-secularism' traces backs it roots to there. From then, like what our senior political analyists call, Pseudo-secularism has become bread and butter for the Congress party like the trade-unionists for the Communists and language jingoists to Shiv Sena.
Having said all this about Panditji, let me stop here. With all my veneration to the Chachaji, I feel that he would have made a good minister (Perhaps, an Educational ministry or HRD ministry), but I am afraid, I will have to admit that he was not the PM material.
After Nehruji, if we close our eyes about the history of next one and half years, for which we had a rare opportunity to see some one from outside Nehru-Gandhi family, we have Mrs.Gandhi as the first woman prime minister. An 'inexperienced yound child' in the words of JayPrakash Narayan, and a 'sugar doll' as per Ram Manohar Lohia, has led India for the next one and half decade (with a brief-break in between ofcourse). Lot of things are attributed to Mrs.Gandhi - Green revolution, Nuclear program of India, 'Garibi Hatao' slogan, and finally the transition of surname from Nehru to Gandhi, which would assure a strong political career for the family. Again, to go into what Indira has done over the nearly 15 years of her political career, might take another different blog altogether, but to be brief, there were brightest and darkest periods to India during the time. Indo-pak war, the independence of Bangladesh has made her image into a dynamic and strong lady, while, the emergency, lack of accountability, improper trails over many people, dictatorial tendencies, etc., implies a lot at her attitude and faith (which is surprisingly different from Nehru) over the word 'Democracy'. In a gist, she can be termed as, Priya Duryodhani, as Shashi Tharoor calls in his 'The great Indian novel'.


After the assassination of Mrs.Gandhi as a consequence to the operation Blue star, we have our Rajiv. Having written something on Rajiv in my previous blog, I am not keen to talk more.
After a silence for another 4-5 years, we have Soniaji, although not a blood relation to the family (ofcourse, in that way Mrs.Indira was also not related to Mahatma Gandhi, however we are just bothered about just the title right?), came into picture as the party president. I am sure Rahul would have succeeded Rajiv, but unfortunately he was kid then, not having the age of even contesting in the elections. So, since we obviously cannot change the constitution for his career, 'they' needed to wait for a while. After many years, of nearly a decade, in the elections of 2004, we have another candidate from the family. Yes, you have seen it right!. I am referring to the string bearer over the honorable present P.M. Manmohan Singhji, Smt.Sonia Maino (read it as Gandhi again). Ofcourse, RaeBareli and Amethi had the rare priveleg of hosting the two Gandhis back to the Parliament, although may not be till the PMO.
Having been in the role of Party president unanimously except once (when there was an election for Congress party president which is on 1999, an opposition from Mr.Jitendra Prasad) for 10 years, Mrs.Sonia is now busy in chalking out plans for the career of the 37 year old Rahul. Lets wait and see whats going to happen next. Afterall, there is charm in unpredicability and I think 'the Family' wouldnt like to break that charm either.
In the words of Rajnath Singh, the present BJP President - two events which have changed the course of the Independent India are, the people's movement led by JayPrakash Narayan, and then RamJanma Bhoomi movement by BJP. Very true! What we have seen was the first shown that the Congress was not invincible even at the National level, while the second shown that the alternative to Congress, can give a stable alternative Government.
After saying all this, it might seem that I was drifting away from the topic. Let me make a comeback. Let us all admit that, politics is a lucrative career. I would like my son/daughter to pursue a career, which gives us (my family I mean) fame and money, which in the case of Ambanis - it is business, Kapoors into movies and for 'the Family', it turns out to be the politics. If we look at them from the career and family perspective, yes, they have tried to make best out of a given situation, career wise. I hold no blame to anyone of them what-so-ever, But, when it comes to everyone outside the Nehru-Gandhi group, we are badly hit, not just in terms of opportunities, but also in terms of quality of administration and life. All the above examples, are just to reflect on what has happened, and how was the decision made by us, was not that good a choice. In the process of admiring a a few people's contribution, we got carried away by the family names, there by providing what Dr.Ambedkar advocated for the unpriveleged.