As the Government prepares to issue the first set of Universal Identifiers - “Aadhar”, predictable noises are emerging from the Left expressing opposition to the UIDAI.
So what explains this allergy of the Left to the idea of an immutable Identity to every Individual ?
Perhaps its the challenge this idea poses to their brand of politics ?
From Offstumped Archives – An Agenda for Governance where every Individual matters
Dear Friends
As I stand upto address you a billion thoughts cross my mind, 1.147 billion to be precise.
It troubles me greatly to think that any one of those 1.147 billion thoughts is any less than another.
It also troubles me greatly when every one of those 1.147 billion thoughts is given a banal label calling them “aam admi”.
When I wake up every morning and look myself in the mirror I am challenged by only one thought, how do I make every one of those 1.147 billion thoughts feel special, feel unique, feel touched and appreciated so not one of you my friends has to look yourself in the mirror and feel that you are just another “aam admi”.
I feel challenged on what I can do within my limited sphere of influence to spread this infection called Optimism so every one of those 1.147 billion Indians goes to sleep every night feeling comforted that each and every one of their voices are being heard, each and every one of their interests protected and each and every one of their aspirations fulfilled.
I feel challenged on how do I build a Tent that is big enough on its margins so every single one of these 1.147 billion thoughts finds not just room but freedom, space and opportunity to pursue its aspirations and not a single one of the 1.1.47 billion voices ever feels excluded.
I feel challenged on how do I inspire confidence in each one these 1.1147 billion voices that the only hurdle between them and their aspirations is their own imagination in what can be.
I feel challenged on how do I restore credibility to the Institutions of the State and the Constitution so every one of these 1.147 billion voices believes that the Rule of Law works for each and every one of them and not against their individual aspirations.
As I spend every waking moment contemplating this arduous task ahead I am under no illusion of my limitations as an Individual.
But then I am comforted by the thought that I am not alone in building this big New Tent and I have 1.147 billion special friends each one of who can bring his or her own unique abilities to bear in building it.
It gives me comfort to go to sleep every night that I am not alone in dreaming big and hoping for the impossible, there are 1.147 billion dreams keeping my imagination company.
This infection called Optimism will not make Poverty go away any time soon, it will not eliminate hunger overnight, it will not erase the deep social prejudices that afflict our society and it will not eliminate all the unethical practices that have become Institutionalized in our public and private lives.
I am under no illusion on that account.
But I am unrelenting and uncompromising in my faith in this infection called Optimisim so poverty, hunger, prejudices and immorality does not come between every one of you and those 1.147 billion aspirations to prevent you from trying.
It troubles me greatly when the dominant political idea is one which lumps all of those 1.147 billion aspirations under the banality of commonness.
Every single time the State calls you an “aam admi” it expresses a lack of faith in your unique abilities.
Every single time the State claims it has an agenda that is “pro-aam admi” it admits to an utter lack of sensistivity to how special your individual aspirations can be to you.
Ever single time the State labels you as “Below the Poverty Line” or “Above the Poverty Line” it diminishes your self respect for it betrays no interest in where your individual aspirations lie.
It is my solemn assurance that in the new Big Tent the spirit of “Antyodya” shall mean not just the last man or woman standing but every man and woman standing will find freedom and opportunity to pursue their aspirations.
It is my solemn assurance that in the new Big Tent there will be no “aam admi”, every one of the 1.147 billion will be respected and privileged as a “khaas admi” with a unique place for their needs and aspirations.
Friends, this infection called Optimisim can make us feel giddy, thinking the unthinkable and imagining the impossible but then that innate Indian trait of being rooted in reality of the present will very quickly bring us back to the ground to pose many questions.
Is any of this practical ?
Is it too idealistic ?
Will I be included or excluded based on my identity ?
What about historical wrongs against my people, will I get Justice ?
What about my special needs as a religious minority, will I get an exception ?
What about my Culture and Values, will it be diluted at the altar of making ammends and exceptions for others ?
Neither are these questions new and nor will I promise to give you answers that you havent heard before.
So what will be new in this Big Tent, you may ask ?
Let me tell you what will be new in this Big Tent
If something is not practical it will not be because some bureaucrat sitting in New Delhi conjured an impractical scheme.
If something is too idealistic it will not be because some Delhi based Politician from the right family peddled his naivety and ignorance for ”progressive innocence”
If someone feels excluded based on their identity it will not be because some Political Party abused its Legislative Majority to frame a discriminatory law
If someone feels that despite historical wrongs against their community they still dont have equal access to opportunities it will not be because a Political Party that swears by Identity blackmailed its way to secure special entitlements
If someone feels they have special needs as a Minority it will not be because the State has limited their freedom to practice their faith in any manner
If someone feels their Culture and Values have been diluted it will not be because the State is appeasing others or reversing discriminating against them
Here is what will be new in the Big Tent.
Every one of your 1.147 billion voices will find expression and will influence how your destiny is shaped as power returns from New Delhi and from your State Capitals back to your Towns, Cities, Taluks and Villages.
Your freedom to pursue your aspirations will not be stifled by a remote Government sitting in Delhi or by an indifferent Bureaucracy sitting in your State Capitals.
But with that freedom will also come a responsibility to look after your community and manage the affairs of your Faith rather than abdicate it to the State at the cost of your freedom.
Friends, I will not burden you anymore with what may appear to be mere rhetoric.
Its time to Walk the Talk and build this new Big Tent and a beginning must be made.
As I commit myself to this trial by fire my thoughts go back to ancient times when our great intellectual leaders of yesteryears, the Rishis and the Munis put themselves through immense hardship in the pursuit of enlightenment.
There is no recourse to the lofty peaks of Himalayas in this 21st century Tapas. This trial by fire will be in the dust and din of this proud country we call Bharat, India, Hindustan.
Its interests will always be protected and advanced, no compromises will be made with National Interest at the altar of political opportunism or political correctness.
Every step I take in this trial by fire I shall not lose sight of the 1.147 billion aspirations that abound this proud land.
For with every one of those 1.147 billion aspirations there are perhaps 1.147 billion apprehensions on threats to our National Interest from within and from the outside.
I may not allay everyone of those apprehensions but I can assure you that I will hold myself to the highest standards of Dharma every step of the way to tell right from wrong and never forget that it is Nation first and Self last.
In closing let me say that it is not enough to call this Tent new, big and inclusive for at its heart must lie a moral compass that reminds us that at the end of the day Dharma must be upheld.
With these words I call upon you to cleanse sacred Saffron of the taint from murky politics and restore to its hallowed placed in the privacy of our homes and temples.
With these words I also call upon you to embrace the pristine white of the Shveta Chhatra as a non theocratic symbol of Dharma that will always guarantee
Freedom to every one of the 1.147 billion Indians
Freedom to their Communities and Faith to realize their aspirations and allay their apprehensions
by delivering Justice to All and ensuring Discrimination against none.
I call upon you to spread the infection called Optimism in this new Big Tent under the White Umbrella.
Jai Hind