June 6, 2012
With the proclamation of Queen Victoria in 1858, India was ruled by the British Crown and the British Parliament. Over the next 90 years, a few hundred people controlled the destiny of millions of Indians. Freedom Struggle lasted several years and was a mass movement headed by the Congress Party. The Constitution established India as a sovereign democratic nation where the Government was of the people and by the people. But has much changed, in the manner we are governed?
The Congress Party has dominated the political discourse in our country for a major portion of 65 years since Independence. For almost 51 years, Congress party formed a government on its own or has led a coalition Government. For 5 more years, the Union Government has been supported by the Congress Party. Atal Behari Vajpayee has been the only Indian Prime Minister who has never been a member of the Congress Party and ruled for 6 years.
The Indian National Congress was envisaged as a democratic body that represented India and was modeled on the US Congress. Mahatma Gandhi ensured that all office bearers of the Congress Party were elected. But in 1969, Indira Gandhi spilt the Congress and she centralized control. This led to the formation of the "High Command".
After the defeat of the Congress Party in the state elections, there has been scrutiny on every aspect. The final, and by several accounts, the only decision making body in the Congress- The High Command, also seems to be under siege.
There are several similarities in the manner of functioning between the British Raj and the current Congress Party.
The British Crown is a hereditary institution where members of the Windsor Family are born into it. Similarly, members of the Nehru-Gandhi inherit the Congress High Command.
In both the families, only birth guarantees the crown and not marriage. Feroze Gandhi and Menaka Gandhi learnt this fact the hard way, while Sonia Gandhi's "inner-voice" indicated this fact to her. Robert Vadra may soon learn it as well!
The British Royalty are popular celebrities who attract huge crowds. Similarly, Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi also attract large crowds who may not necessarily vote for the Congress Party.
The British Parliament consists of the House of Lords. Lords and other forms of dynastic sub royalty are appointed by the Crown. The Congress Party equivalent to the House of Lords is the All India Congress Committee (AICC). The Gandhi family can grant a sub-royalty status by making a person a "Permanent Invitee to AICC". The leader is knighted and is powerful for life. There are several dynasties within the Congress Party.
The British Raj Government appointed a Viceroy who stayed in India and a member of the British Government Cabinet was designated "Secretary of State for India" who operated from London. The Viceroy implemented decisions of the Government. The Secretary of State conveyed Cabinet Decisions and monitored the implementation.
All Pradesh Congress Presidents are appointed by the Congress High Command. They stay in State Capitals and can be compared to the Viceroys of British Raj.
The Congress Working Committee consists of General Secretaries and is chaired by Congress President. It is a virtual cabinet and General Secretaries are like Ministers. Each state unit is monitored by a General Secretary who stays in Delhi and the role is similar to the erstwhile Secretary of State for India.
It is indeed ironical that a democratic body that dethroned an imperial power operates like the power it replaced.
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