The Next Step Forward

Tamilians,

As I mentioned in an earlier fb post and blog ' Historical significance of the Jallikattu agitation ', you are showing the whole of India the correct path, and are giving leadership to the whole nation. Therefore a heavy responsibility falls on your shoulders.

You have achieved a glorious victory in the Jallikattu agitation, whose historical significance I have already pointed out. Its significance is that perhaps the first time after Independence a popular movement has cut through the barriers of caste and religion, and achieved victory.

Some people say that the Jallikattu Ordinance is only a temporary measure. It is true that an Ordinance issued by the Governor is only temporary, vide Article 213(2) of the Constitution of India. But the Tamilnadu Legislature is meeting tomorrow ( Monday, 23rd January ) and will replace the Ordinance by an Act, which will be permanent.

It is true that this Act may be challenged in the Court, but this challenge is unlikely to succeed, since the assent of the President has been obtained under Article 254(2). So the apprehensions of some people are really unfounded.

Now the question before you is what will be the next step you will take. As I said before, the whole Indian nation looks upto Tamilnadu for guidance, and therefore a heavy responsibility lies on you Tamilians. You must therefore not get carried away by your great victory, but should reflect carefully and soberly what should be your next step forward, because the whole of India is looking upto you, and may follow in your footsteps.

In this connection I may here present my own ideas for your consideration.

In my opinion, the time has now come in this country for Jansamitis (people's committees) to be formed in all cities and rural areas in India. People must now solve their own problems themselves, instead of depending on the government. Tamilnadu can lead the way in this connection.

First a Jansamiti should be formed in the cities of Tamilnadu by the people of those cities themselves. The method for doing so can be that every Mohalla in every city in Tamilnadu should elect a mohalla Jansamiti democratically which will have a term of six months only, after which a fresh election will be held, so that those who do not perform will not be re-elected.

This mohalla committee should nominate two of its members to the city Jansamiti, which will also have a term of six months only.

Presently most MPs and MLAs are elected for five years, but after getting elected, they forget about the problems of their constituencies and get busy in making money. So the term should be much shorter for the Jansamiti, with a right in the voters and mechanism to recall the elected representative for any misdeed even before his 6 month term is over

The Jansamitis or Mohalla Samitis should advise the ministers and officials of the Government to do what is needed to solve the people's problems. If the ministers or officials do not respond, the members of the Jansamitis and Mohalla Samitis should tell the people to hold peaceful demonstrations at the offices and residences of the ministers, MLAs and officials, and publicise it in the media. This is legally permissible, vide Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.

This will exercise immediate pressure on the ministers, MLAs and the officers.

Following the example of Tamilnadu, Jansamitis should be formed in all cities in In India.

If the government and its officers do not respond, the people should also stop paying taxes. After all, taxes are taken to be used for the people's welfare, not to be pilfered and looted by the politicians

Details about the manner of election and functioning of these jan samities should be worked out by the people themselves using their creativity.