By Varghese Alengaden
Indore, Sept 7, 2020: People, in general, live with the fear of the laws and law enforcing agencies and courts who have the power to punish them for violating the laws. They are also afraid of the religious laws and the priestly class who punish them in various ways. People obey the laws more because of fear than respect or commitment to the laws.
In a democracy the elected representatives of the people are entrusted to make laws for good governance. People expect their representatives to keep in mind the welfare of all people while formulating laws. Unfortunately in modern democracies welfare of the people has turned out to be the benefit of the majority community.
The rights and welfare of the minority communities and parties are neglected. Any kind of dissent against the unjust laws is punished by the law enforcing agencies and courts who are influenced by those who rule.
The Mahatma Gandhi’s talisman of caring for the good of “the last and the least person” is the best guide to prevent any unjust human right violation by any discriminatory laws and law enforcing agency. This dignity and sovereignty of people are ensured in the Constitution of India in its declaration, “we the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic ….”.
The constitution in letter and spirit makes it clear that people are the sovereign. The Prime Minister, President, ministers, MPs, MLAs, judges and bureaucrats are at the service of people. It is unfortunate that the servants of people are acting like kings and emperors. They expect people who are the sovereign to behave like servants and beg for mercy and charity.
The priests and high priests of all religions also behave as if they are gods and expect people to prostrate before them. Both political and religious leadership have created systems and structures to make the people feel like slaves. They have succeeded to brainwashing them in such a way that they live in fear and suffer silently. They are not aware of their sovereignty and rights which the Constitution ensures.
Thanks to prophets like Prashant Bhushan, activists like Harsh Mandar and many who challenge and remind those in power about their role to be servants of people. It is time for people of the country to reclaim their sovereignty and safeguard their individual dignity and all other rights and universal values which the Constitution ensures.
Jesus Christ during His lifetime has upheld the sovereignty of human being above all laws and traditions. When the priestly class accused Him of violating laws and traditions He spoke very firmly, “Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath (law)”. He also declared,” Sabbath is for man, not man for Sabbath”. He violated all unjust and discriminatory laws which enslaved people.
It is time to establish the sovereignty /supremacy of people above legislature, executive and judiciary. The supremacy of “the last and the least” person of this country shall be established irrespective of caste, creed or any other distinction.
Since people are sovereign they can never be abused or assaulted by any law enforcing agencies or political leaders. No government official shall dare to harass any person for bribe or any other favor. They are duty-bound to respect the dignity of all men and women irrespective of their status.