In a gathering convened by the Karnataka government in Bengaluru, activists and scholars emphasised the pivotal role of constitutional values in combating contemporary challenges.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – The two-day Constitution and National Unity convention that ended on Sunday has emerged as a platform for impassioned appeals for upholding constitutional principles amidst mounting threats to India’s foundational ideals.
At the forefront of the discourse was activist Medha Patkar, who chaired a session delving into ‘Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and Citizenship.’ Emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in governance, Patkar urged for a revision of taxation policies to ensure equity. She called for compelling the wealthiest echelons of society to contribute through wealth and inheritance taxes, citing potential revenue windfalls for public welfare initiatives.
Highlighting the erosion of constitutional morality, activist Harsh Mander underscored Mahatma Gandhi’s hypothetical opposition to the current construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, juxtaposing it against Gandhi’s historical stance against the takeover of Muslim shrines by Hindus. Mander decried the prevailing indifference towards instances of communal violence and systemic injustices, evoking the essence of fraternity espoused by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Echoing concerns over encroachments on democratic values, Gopal Guru, editor at Economic and Political Weekly, cautioned against succumbing to parochialism and majoritarianism. Guru emphasised the imperative of adhering to constitutional ideals as a bulwark against divisive forces such as casteism and communalism.
In her intervention, Medha Patkar drew attention to the government’s disregard for local governance structures in its pursuit of resource exploitation, exemplified by amendments to the Forest Conservation Act. Patkar urged for decentralised solutions to pressing challenges like the water crisis in Bengaluru, advocating for community-driven approaches to land and water management.
Participants at the convention, orchestrated by the Karnataka government, echoed a resounding call for the reassertion of constitutional principles in navigating India’s socio-political landscape. Against the backdrop of escalating threats to pluralism and democratic norms, the discourse underscores the imperative of safeguarding India’s democratic fabric through a steadfast commitment to constitutional values.
The Constitution and National Unity convention signifies a collective endeavour to reignite the spirit of inclusive governance and upholds the vision of a harmonious, pluralistic India envisioned by its founding fathers. The convention has emerged as a beacon of hope for those striving to uphold the sanctity of India’s democratic ethos.
