This presidential election from the start has been a controversial one. To a very large extent it reflects the mindset of the politicians on the purported fluid political situation. The ground reality is different. It is therefore unbecoming of leading news papers to further disillusion the ruling class by prescribing restraint when there is no cause of a provocation. The opposition is fragmented and no one, even the worst enemy of the congress will like to rock the boat now.
Coming to the prescription itself and the instances quoted in the history based on which such prescriptions are handed over, it is to be said that times are changing and the same Victorian approach may not be what the doctor will order. The media is only partly free and excessive restraints at the wrong time on the part of the President may not be advised.
One needs to allow the incumbent to act and have faith in her advisers and the other administrators of the constitution of India. In our 57 years of Republic, except for a brief period in 1975, our independence was never at risk. We managed to come out of that crisis as well.
I would strongly argue for an active President of India, whose actions will of course have to be within the powers granted by the constitution. While restraint and private reprimand in some cases may produce extraordinary results, it must be left to the judgment of the first person to choose the option.
One stop solution as indicated in the Leader is not what the doctor will order
The Leader is Looking Ahead .
1 comment:
Hmmm...Yes. After all, he/she is the head of the armed forces of India! But considering that we are living in a parlimentary democracy, even if the president were to actively participate, I wonder how much it would contribute. If you remember, Dr. Kalam sent back a bill just last year to the Lok Sabha to review it, exercising his power - but it was returned without any amendments! But yes, I definitely agree that the option of exercising constraint or expressing opinion publicly must be left to the President.
Awesome write up! :-D
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