People's Democracy

THIS Vajpayee led NDA government seems to have perfected the diabolic art of violating all consensus achieved during these decades of independence while at the same time adopting ostensible postures of arriving at a consensus! The all-Party meeting convened by the Prime Minister on October 29 is a case in point.

The Prime Minister invited the opposition parties for this meeting seeking to discuss the "developments in the region". Instead of briefing the opposition parties on the government's assessment of the developments connected with the US war in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister conveyed a summary of information that had already appeared in the media. No specific issue was put before the political parties for their opinion. Neither were they taken into confidence on any issue of substantive matter.

Strangely, there was no reference at all to the disturbing reports appearing on the use of nuclear weapons, which USA has not ruled out, or regarding those concerning Pakistan's nuclear capabilities. The serious apprehension of a nuclear misadventure or accident in the sub-continent is being treated by the Vajpayee government in the most cavalier manner. While Defence Minister gives a good conduct certificate to Pakistan's capabilities to prevent any nuclear mishap, others in the Cabinet speak in different voices.

Almost every party voiced concern at the increasing loss of civilian lives in Afghanistan. Yet, the government continues to toe the US line and refuses to give a call to halt the bombing. Even after nearly a month-long offensive, it is far from clear if the USA has achieved or even advanced further in any of its stated objectives.

Clearly, this meeting was convened by the Prime Minister to make a mockery of evolving a consensus on major policies. It is more of a public relations exercise on the eve of his departure to visit various countries culminating at the United Nations general assembly in New York.

On all issues of importance, the government is proceeding to take decisions unilaterally. The latest instance being that of the promulgation of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO). None in the opposition was consulted. Even though the Parliament is scheduled to meet two weeks later, the government, paying scant respect to democratic procedure, decided to issue this ordinance.

On this basis, it has already taken action of banning various organisations. All efforts must be made to curb the activities of all terrorist organisations. However, discrimination on the basis of communal prejudice that this government practices can never achieve the objective of comprehensively curbing terrorism. Such an approach can and is leading to the gross misuse of the provisions of this ordinance to further communal objectives.

While such ritual tokenism of consulting all parties is being resorted to, the Vajpayee government is undermining the consensus on various issues that had been evolved in the past. The consensual foreign policy positions centering around non-alignment have been changed to one of abject servile conformity to the USA and its interests. The consensus of strengthening the secular democratic republican character of India is constantly sought to be undermined. The consensus on resolving the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in Ayodhya through the judicial verdict is repeatedly being rejected by the communal forces under this government's patronage.

A true consensus on policy matters can be evolved among parties through painstaking consultations and not through resort to theatric gimmickry. It is the latter that this Vajpayee government in indulging in. Unfortunately for the government, the people have seen through such gimmickry.