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BHARAT KO SWATANTRA KARO! |
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India’s
liberal political strategy, 2004 and beyond Message for
concerned citizens of India 9
January 2004, New Delhi Our governments which continue to be traders and are now
becoming an arbitrator of our history, culture and religions, have forgotten
that their basic task is to govern -- to provide an enabling environment for
citizens to flourish. Indeed, upon independence, our politicians simply took
on the role of new drivers in the imperial vehicle left behind by the British
and mindlessly expanded it into areas that have nothing to do with
governance. As a result, many citizens feel confined and unsafe in performing
as basic a civic duty as participation in democratic processes. This, in what
was assured to us in 1950 will be a great democracy with liberty and equality
of opportunity. The problem is that by continuing to keep out of active
democratic processes and civil society development we are merely allowing
forces inimical to liberty, economic growth and harmony, to further
consolidate their position and make completely irrelevant our systems of
justice and rule of law, and ethical behaviour of any sort. We HAVE TO immediately build new mechanisms and expand
existing platforms for democratic participation with a
view to building a MODERN AND STREAMLINED GOVERNANCE VEHICLE to
deepen and strengthen democracy, liberty and justice. Having carefully deliberated and evaluated all aspects of
the Indian situation, in consultation with like-minded individuals and
organisations, the India Policy Institute calls upon all citizens
of India to join in a ceaseless MASS MOVEMENT for breaking the
chains that inept and self-seeking politicians have built around us. Only
then will we finally gain TRUE FREEDOM and bloom into our highest potential
as a people. You can join this movement by doing as many as
possible of the following activities, which flow from the many
obligations citizens have in an effective democracy: 1. JOIN NEW, CLEAN
POLITICS: Honour the enormous work of Sh. Sharad Joshi as the flag-carrier
of liberal ideals and integrity in India over the past many years and join,
strengthen and expand Swatantra
Bharat Party, now making a bid to become a national political
alternative. SBP is the only party capable of providing India with
New and Modern governance and liberty. 2. Take steps to influence,
encourage and support regional political initiatives to move towards a
position that values justice, rule of law, and liberal values. 3. STRENGHTEN CIVIL SOCIETY: Engage actively
with and strengthen non-political civil society institutions that promote
liberal values such as responsible citizenship, secularism and economic
freedom, and actively join campaigns for reform sponsored by them.
These institutions include Lok Satta, Janaagraha, Centre for Civil Society, Liberty Institute, Indian Liberal Group, Praja Foundation, India Policy Institute, Fountain
of Justice, National Network for India, and many others. 4. Always and without fail, cast
your considered vote in elections despite the greatest provocation and
overwhelming sense of cynicism. Let us engage in the political process and do the
best we can.
Message design:
Others: Seetha Parthasarathy Raj Cherubal Manali Shah Anuradha Mangalapalli |
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