Where is the Caring Government in India?

Babasaheb Ambedkar defined one of the roles of the state (Government) as ensuring to its citizens’ freedom from want and freedom from fear. To tackle the big problems like contagious diseases, planning for many people, and many complex problems, the government as the collective platform is needed. The role of government in tackling the current pandemic in China, Singapore, and South Korea is exemplary. The Governments in these countries did everything they could to curtail the spread of the virus. It also showed that the form of government does not matter, what matters is the will of the government. The will of the government or those governing must be compassionate and people-centric driven by hard facts and science and above all non-discrimination.

Given that our country lacks medical infrastructure as the public health is neglected by the governments since independence and now rapid privatisation of the health sector has left India helpless and hopeless if contagion starts following the pattern of the countries like Italy. We are less equipped infrastructure wise and also medicine wise. Instead of providing the necessary infrastructure and proper salaries to doctors government is clanking utensils. What a sham.

In this scenario, the best way for us to slow down the spread is quarantine and this will mean that the government must take up the role of a guardian to ensure essential goods to the citizens by either transferring direct cash to them or rationing. We are not well equipped to test the patients and track them digitally and Indians strangely are very social and touchy people in a public setting.

The culture-specific responses must be bunded immediately. The places of worship and religions are already abandoned. Most of the public places are closed and essential lines are affected which is going to raise economic catastrophe.

India is a quasi-federal state and some of the states have responded very well to the current situation. Kerala is a wonderful example of it and other states must follow the lead of Kerala. However, it is up to the union government to really lead the country from the front. In such times of emergency, the country must be run as one singular agency with a mega plan and mega execution.

Where is that?

Author – Mangesh Dahiwale, Human Rights Activist