By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Policies are meant to wipe off tears, not reduce people to tears. The rulers and politicians would do well to recall the famous words of Mahatma Gandhi in this regard. Gandhiji said in a memorable quote which has universal relevance: Before you take a decision, think whether it would benefit the people. If the answer is in the negative, then do not take it.
The Mahatma’s advice acquires an added resonance in the context of the hardships and suffering unprecedented rains and flood fury have inflicted on Kerala.
A furious debate is raging on whether the country should accept foreign aid in times of natural calamities of the kind that have battered God’s Own Country beyond recognition. The question has come up with the Modi government saying “No” to offers of help from countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Thailand, among others.
The Centre’s callous stance has shocked the people of Kerala. The Centre has, of course, contended that its stance ‘is in line with the existing policy’, adopted by the erstwhile UPA government headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh not to accept financial assistance from foreign countries. The Modi government conveniently forgets that there is provision in the National Disaster Management Plan prepared by it after assuming power in 2014 for accepting foreign aid: foreign aid may be accepted if countries voluntarily offer such assistance, says the plan. The BJP-led government’s hesitation in the face of this ground reality is, to say the least, baffling. Or does it set greater store by the policy laid down by the UPA government than its own policy?
Whatever the reason, the Centre’s stance has touched off a wave of disbelieve across rain-battered Kerala. Leaders cutting across the political spectrum have deplored the Centre’s stand. Even a Central minister, Alphons Kannamthanam is on record that if there is a policy that prevents us from taking foreign assistance, it must be changed in view of the deluge of death and destruction that has devastated Kerala. It is not easy for a BJP leader to take such a stand. And Alphons deserves fulsome praise for doing that. Of course, he has been grilled and ridiculed by his own partymen for taking such a forthright and right stand.
The fact of the matter is that it is an extraordinary situation. And extraordinary situations demand extraordinary decisions. That is where the Mahatma’s advice becomes relevant. Decisions must help the people, not add to their suffering. To indulge in hairsplitting over policies and ideologies in the face of a terrible tragedy is to commit a crime against humanity. Hopefully, wiser counsel will prevail and the Centre would shed its misplaced sense of pride. The whole of Kerala is waiting for it.
Equally deplorable is the politics over disasters being played by politicians belonging to the Opposition parties like the Congress and the BJP in the state. It is nobody’s case that the Kerala government has not committed any lapses in the management of floods caused by torrential rains. But this is simply not the time to play politics. Kerala is struggling to overcome the aftermath of a terrible disaster, the like of which the state has witnessed before.
This is the time to show exemplary patience and unity. Energies must be bent towards the daunting task of rushing relief, ensuring rehabilitation and reconstruction. Any attempt to score political points at such a crucial juncture must be unreservedly condemned. Let the hapless people pick up the pieces of their ruined lives. Nitpicking, blame game and pointing fingers can wait. Politicians who try to politicise a terrible tragedy – an unpardonable sin – diminish themselves. They know very well what they are doing. And forgive them not.
(IPA Service)
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