the goan I network
PANAJI
Speaking about what he termed as “the crisis of democracy and human rights” gripping the country at the moment, Prof N Ramesh stressed that democracy is not merely confined to voting, but is a human and a social value that goes beyond the polling booth.
Addressing the press recently at the Center for the study of Philosophy and Humanities in Miramar, Prof Ramesh lamented that no political party in India including the BJP, Congress and Communist parties had made an effort to inculcate democracy in people.
The former Professor of English and former Principal at The National Degree College (Autonomous), Bangalore, also expressed his sadness that as a society, the people of India had not been doing anything to revive the democratic spirit in the country.
“Democracy starts at home. Democracy in politics is the final rung of democracy, but it must start at home, and then move to society, before we can expect democracy from politics and in the nation,” he said.
About the numerous reported lynchings taking place of late, Prof Ramesh said that lynchings were not a new phenomenon, but we’re witnessed even at the time of the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.
The professor, who has conducted research on atrocities against Dalits and minorities in India, condemned attempts to change the Indian Constitution, with the intention of curbing freedom of speech or taking the country backwards.
“We do not say that the constitution is perfect. But any amendments, if at all, should be for the better. We have to refuse to accept any force that works in terms of communalism,” he said, slamming those whom he said were trying to change the Constitution in order to “take it back to the Middle Ages in terms of thinking.”
The professor said that he hoped in the future, Ambedkar’s dream of “One human, one value”, instead of just “One vote, one value,” was realised.
