Baskaran Krishnamurthy
Yes its time for ‘Domestic Ambassadors’!. In India in recent days, we witness a very sad spectacle of criticizing the Government for everything by almost everyone. Most of the times, it is for too petty things and on too trivial issues or on the pretext that something too grievous took place. Nobody is really serious, leave alone sincere, to look deep into the allegations. It has become so intense that we sometimes tend to suspect if it is really a spontaneous one or perpetrated by vested interests.
While the forces against the Government are so brisk and active, those who are part of the governance (read – the officials) have no right to go public and defend the Government. There it is – the Conduct Rules! It prohibits the serving officers from airing their views. The ones in service do not have a right even to defend themselves against any frivolous complaint or baseless allegation. This ‘arrangement’ favours the elements that are ready to pounce upon the Government machinery at every opportunity.
It is really too strange and too shocking too that the people who ought to defend are forbidden from doing so. This has resulted in huge amount of erosion in the faith of the public in the Government. It is but natural that if no denial comes forth from the Government, people at large are left with just one choice – to believe what is said!
With only one version of ‘the story’ being told and with the ‘other side’ never brought to light, it has always been a ‘free for all’ situation for the critics. Is it good for the country? How long are we going to allow this sorry state of affairs? When will we realize that the faith of the common man in the system is slowly drifting away at every accusation against the Government?
We need to create a sort of awareness among the public at large that they have to support and stand by the Government whenever someone dares to post a detrimental complaint against the Government because it otherwise lowers the morale of the public servant and directly affects the performance. This simply means that the public are deprived of their legitimate right to have the service of the government, by the government machinery in time.
How many of these so called ‘activists’ have done anything good or productive to the society ever in the past? They spread hatred and negativity; precipitate a non-issue to one of utmost importance – hampering the normal functioning of the government. To perpetrate is easier; to agitate is much simpler; to deliver is what is difficult.
Those who question the system are never really bothered too much about the goodness of governance as they are focused upon widening the areas of ill effects of their malicious campaign. We, by no means, try to scuttle the role of the harbingers or of the drum beaters. We do agree that an unquestioned democracy is far worse than the unquestionable despotism. We never stand for anarchy or support authoritarianism. This is something else.
Being a critic is all right; but being a rebel is something that would shake the very foundations of our democratic set-up. Questioning is a basic right. Similarly, to defend ‘our’ government is our duty too.
As a Gandian, as a columnist and as one believing strongly in principles of democracy, I feel totally devastated when somebody questions the motive of the Government and goes unanswered. Unless an acceptable response comes from a responsible person, the most fundamental democratic Institution called ‘Government’ would stand weakened; exposed to more such attacks. This is very dangerous proposition. We must do something to arrest this trend – immediately.
Best way is to appoint at least one officer in every state to explain the stand of the Government – if not pointed towards a specific accusation, at least a general one that would clear the air of suspicion.
The need of the hour therefore is that there should be, what I call, ‘DOMESTIC AMBASSADORS’ whose job it would be to voice the stand of the Government whenever a debate/ discussion/ accusation comes up.
The Domestic Ambassador would be free to present the real, true picture to protect the Government against the unfounded, baseless, wild allegations. To be effective, the D.A. should be one who is well versed in both English / Hindi and the language of the state. The D.A. would confine himself to explaining the motive of the government and would not resort to ‘answering’ the individuals or organizations raising the complaints.
In fact, the Domestic Ambassador should be given powers to invite the people making allegations and discuss with them too. In case the D.A. finds adequate, substantial evidence in their claim, D.A. may recommend to the Government to look into the complaints. This would help the Government to cleanse the system then and there.
The Domestic Ambassador should speak, act and react diplomatically without being political, bureaucratic or authoritative and should be easily accessible to all. The Domestic Ambassador may have the power to visit, inquire and investigate – only to find out the truth and report to the Government, to inform the public and shall not be a judicial or executive authority to pass any orders.
The person so nominated may be the Domestic Ambassador for both the State and the Union Govt. However, in the event of a conflict between the State and the Centre, the D.A. may side with the Union as this Post is to be for an Officer from Central services. The State, if it so wishes, may appoint a ‘State Ambassador’ separately.
The person so appointed must be capable of advocating the policies of the Government effectively. More importantly, the post of D A must be non-political by nature. It means that he should not get into any political issue. His job is cut out – i.e. to defend the Government without being political.
This move would, for sure, restore the faith of the common man in the system and that is the most vital component of a democratic government. Can we hope that the Government would seriously consider this plea? It would be in the best interest of our nation that it is done sooner than later.
Author: Baskaran Krishnamurthy, Income tax officer in chennai. He is a columinist and a trainer for competitive [email protected]
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