How the courts made a laughing stock of the Modi govt in Uttarakhand

Misuse of Article 356

It's not for the first time that the judiciary has shown the mirror to the other pillars of democracy. It has always stood as a shield against the attempts to subvert the Constitution.

The Bommai case judgement, pertaining to the misuse of Article 356, clearly illustrated the sagacity and independence of our judicial system.

The BJP has often accused the Congress of using Article 356 for political gains, ever since the era of the Jana Sangh. Sadly, the party has been found resorting to the same tactics.

The story of Arunachal Pradesh is no different. The Modi government had apparently hatched a similar plot in Manipur, but luckily, the state government escaped this onslaught.

Lessons for the President and politicians

The Supreme Court verdict in the case of Uttarakhand is a lesson for the President, as well as the Union government. It has also sent a message to political parties and leaders who don't think twice before breaching the limits of democracy.

However, things would not have reached this stage, had the Congress been able to set its house in order. After all, its own leaders had sounded the bugle of revolt in Uttarakhand, Arunachal and Manipur. Democratic norms were flouted in these states, and the grievances of rebel leaders went unheeded.

One might also ask why the BJP had to intervene in such an arbitrary manner. It must pursue its goal of a 'Congress-free India' through electoral means.

The party had managed a resounding victory in the 2014 general elections. The Congress was reduced to just 44 seats. The election results in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand are for all to see.

If BJP will cross all limits to settle political scores, it will face the same consequence. Not only the party, but the Union government will also be a laughing stock in the public eye.

The Uttarakhand fiasco has also harmed the Prime Minister's image. Modi's critics were quick to suggest he must avoid the company of novice advisors and strategists; otherwise, his reputation would be reduced to ashes.

How to avoid a repeat

At the end of the day, politics is politics. It is hard to differentiate between the faces and characters of political leaders.

Also read- Uttarakhand: Overjoyed Congress & Harish Rawat mull early elections

All the political parties should agree on two points to avoid a repeat of an Uttarakhand-like situation.

First, all elected representatives deciding to quit their party must lose the membership of the house. They must be required to re-contest the elections.

Second, the question of majority must be settled in the house alone. Only this can prevent judicial interventions to save democracy.

Edited by Shreyas Sharma

More in Catch:

Buddha in a diplomatic jam: Nepal-China take on India over Buddhist heritage

Tension: the Great Indian Diagnosis (and what it's got to do with Kangana Ranaut)

Jammu & Kashmir: Mehbooba proposes amnesty for militants. Will it work?

Telecom operators to benefit from SC's verdict on call drops; Digital India hurt