Ripples A Reflection On Dattopant Thengadi's Third Way - Part 30
10 May 2022 17:01:56
I have been reflecting in my own way on Dattopant Thengadi Ji's Third Way. I present these small "ripples" that it has caused in my mind in a series. I am glad it has found its resonance in many thinking minds alike. I hope the readers have read the earlier article in the series before moving ahead.
1) Our parliamentary system introduced by the British is not coherent with our ethos.
2) The Dharma Rajya should be the main point of reference. Dharma is not a religion, it implies the code of human conduct which sustains any society. It is an integral approach, it does not focus on political and economic needs alone. The relation between man and man, and man and nature are the points of focus. Dharma is supposed to serve individuals, communities, nations, and ultimately humanity. Dharma covers the moral principles which are in a way put forth by all the religions. Thus Dharma is not against any religion. The universal principles presented by Dharma should be the basis of our constitution.
3) Dharma aims to serve man as God is served. In a way, this is spiritualizing politics where ethics is on a higher pedestal than politics.
4) With an individualistic and materialistic approach the representatives are selected on the basis of cast or religio- communal basis. On the contrary, we need guardians at all levels. (Village, province and national level) They are 'Palak' who would select their advisors to safeguard the social interest. Maybe this can be described as a presidential system with an Indian traditional tinge.
5) Territorial level should have a single house where professional representation is sought. It is supposed to cover all the stakeholders and it has no caste base,this would be a practical approach. At the only national level, there would be two houses, the second would represent territories.
6) The constitution would have Directive Principles. Small cells where people with knowledge, experience and selflessness will have authority to investigate the breach of the directive principles, would be formed.( Acharya Kul)
7) Decentralisation at the political and economic levels is essential, we always had unity in diversity. Small size states would be desirable.
8) Instead of majority votes, the members would have freedom to support a thought on it's merit. This would help change in a non- violent method.
9) No society can exist without co-operation and adjustment . This sustains any society. Conflict is an exception.
10) courts at local level is a necessity.
11) Lower units of administration should be made financially independent.
12) Individual interest is not to be contrasted with society. Individual is an integral component society.
13) English is to be replaced by an Indian language. ( Hindi is suggested.)
14) Political parties are most of the time guided by individual or group interest and at times it is not intune with national interest. Partyless democracy would help in this scenario.
15) As all the existing ideologies fall short of the expectations, we need to think of a system which would cover all the aspects of the interest of the society as a whole.
All such points should be reflected upon to evolve a mature system.
Also Read: Ripples A Reflection On Dattopant Thengadi's Third Way - Part 29
In April 1988, the Nagpur unit of Deendayal research institute organized a seminar to discuss Indian Political System. The points that were put forth are still relevant.
1) Our parliamentary system introduced by the British is not coherent with our ethos.
2) The Dharma Rajya should be the main point of reference. Dharma is not a religion, it implies the code of human conduct which sustains any society. It is an integral approach, it does not focus on political and economic needs alone. The relation between man and man, and man and nature are the points of focus. Dharma is supposed to serve individuals, communities, nations, and ultimately humanity. Dharma covers the moral principles which are in a way put forth by all the religions. Thus Dharma is not against any religion. The universal principles presented by Dharma should be the basis of our constitution.
3) Dharma aims to serve man as God is served. In a way, this is spiritualizing politics where ethics is on a higher pedestal than politics.
4) With an individualistic and materialistic approach the representatives are selected on the basis of cast or religio- communal basis. On the contrary, we need guardians at all levels. (Village, province and national level) They are 'Palak' who would select their advisors to safeguard the social interest. Maybe this can be described as a presidential system with an Indian traditional tinge.
5) Territorial level should have a single house where professional representation is sought. It is supposed to cover all the stakeholders and it has no caste base,this would be a practical approach. At the only national level, there would be two houses, the second would represent territories.
6) The constitution would have Directive Principles. Small cells where people with knowledge, experience and selflessness will have authority to investigate the breach of the directive principles, would be formed.( Acharya Kul)
7) Decentralisation at the political and economic levels is essential, we always had unity in diversity. Small size states would be desirable.
8) Instead of majority votes, the members would have freedom to support a thought on it's merit. This would help change in a non- violent method.
9) No society can exist without co-operation and adjustment . This sustains any society. Conflict is an exception.
10) courts at local level is a necessity.
11) Lower units of administration should be made financially independent.
12) Individual interest is not to be contrasted with society. Individual is an integral component society.
13) English is to be replaced by an Indian language. ( Hindi is suggested.)
14) Political parties are most of the time guided by individual or group interest and at times it is not intune with national interest. Partyless democracy would help in this scenario.
15) As all the existing ideologies fall short of the expectations, we need to think of a system which would cover all the aspects of the interest of the society as a whole.
All such points should be reflected upon to evolve a mature system.