Basic structure of Constitution stands in the way of what RSS wants, says N. Ram

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP-led Union government are targeting the basic structure of the Constitution because it is standing in the way of their Hindu Rashtra project, N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited has said.

He was here on Monday to deliver a lecture on ‘Unmaking the Republic: How Hindutva authoritarianism is dismantling the basic structure of Indian Constitution’ in memory of Chinta Ravindran, filmmaker and writer.

Mr. Ram pointed out that Hindutva authoritarianism had been attacking the basic structure doctrine, which was not a fixed code, but a “judicially administered standard”. Because of this reason, its implementation depends on the character, independence, and capability of the judiciary to stand up to executive pressure, particularly from Hindutva authoritarianism, which was ruthless and relentless.

“It is an open secret that the RSS has long regarded the Constitution unsuitable for a Hindu majoritarian country. So, the basic structure stands in the way of what the RSS wants to achieve [a Hindu Rashtra]. When it comes to amending the Constitution, it is the open-endedness and perceived vulnerability of the basic structure doctrine that the RSS, its mass political arm, the BJP, and the Union government it leads, has been and will be targeting. We have already seen it in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr. Ram said.

He said that whatever happened to the integrity and character of the Constitution and the Republic mattered a great deal to the people of India. “If any of the enumerated universal values or constitutional commitments set out in the preamble are sought to be eroded or subverted by bigoted, neo-fascist and authoritarian forces, that would be the unmaking of the Republic. The practical way through which this unmaking is sought to be achieved is dismantling – not in one go, but in stages and phases by those who are prepared to wait for the long term as the opportunity presents itself – the basic structure of the Constitution. If this is allowed to happen, the Republic that came into being in January 1950, will become history.”

Mr. Ram said that with its semi-fascistic ideology and authoritarian outlook, the RSS had never wavered in its commitment to bring into existence a Hindu Rashtra. It had been able to expand its organisational hold on ideological and political influence by floating scores of outfits and movements that work actively in social, cultural, educational, labour, developmental, political and several other fields. A special investigation conducted by academic Felix Pal of the University of Western Australia had found about 2,500 organisations with concrete, traceable ties to the Sangh, he said.

CJP protest

The former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu said that the protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party in the national capital reflected a rage of grievances and frustrations and a loss of hope. “An intelligent government would have engaged with them early on. Episode after episode, they did not do it,” he said. Mr. Ram also criticised the brutal way in which the police attacked the non-violent protesters, including women, using even pellet guns. “Something that started as a satirical joke has now ballooned into a movement. Thousands have come out on the streets across India. Democratic and progressive parties should support them and not take over them. This student and youth movement will succeed in teaching the Modi government a lesson,” he said.

Actor Bhavana’s brother Jayadevan received the Chinta Ravindran memorial award on her behalf. In a video message, she said the award meant a lot to her at a time she was going through a period of grief. The event was organised by the Chinta Ravindran Foundation.