http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100119/nation.htm
Basu shaped destiny of Indian politics
Manpreet Singh Badal
As I pay tribute to one of the greatest icons of Indian political firmament, I try and think about how the entire Indian polity would have been different had it not been for Jyoti Basu. While people delve on “historic blunders”, it is time to look at how he shaped destiny of Indian politics.
The entire Indian communist movement would have been different had it not been for Jyoti Basu, who was one of the founding members of the CPM politburo. The Indian Left movement is unique in many ways and embraced democracy, which by itself was a revolutionary step. Basu made sure that while he remained committed to his ideals, he and his party participated in democracy. It is to his credit that unlike many other parts of the world, the 1960s and 70s saw Left parties embrace the democratic paradigm, thereby strengthening Indian democracy. By launching a stringent attack on Emergency, just like the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, Jyoti Basu made sure democratic ideals were not trampled and that such a dark hour was not repeated. To his credit, democracy remains firmly rooted not just in West Bengal, but also everywhere else in India.
Thirdly, West Bengal would have been different had it not been for Jyotida. The state remains highly progressive where agrarian reforms and industrialisation were encouraged simultaneously. This speaks volumes of his understanding of Indian social and economic processes, while the issue of agrarian versus worker class is still being debated in the academia. The history of agrarian reforms in India is incomplete without Jyoti Basu’s progressive ideals. He ensured that land reforms took firm root. It is an irony that agriculturally progressive states of the North lag far behind in this aspect while West Bengal leads the country in land reforms.
Panchayati Raj institutions ,too, are firmly entrenched in West Bengal, courtesy the statesmanship of Jyoti Basu. Much before Panchayati Raj became a buzzword in the Indian polity, Basu had already empowered the villages.
Not only that but the entire gamut of Centre-state relationship in the country would have been different had it not been for him. When tendency towards centralisation was acquiring centrestage, Jyoti Basu held back and became a bulwark against such tendencies. It was his stature as the Chief Minister that helped states earn a greater voice in the federal set up. Forces of centralisation were up against a stalwart, and they had to make a hasty retreat. The respect that the Chief Ministers command today is courtesy people like Jyoti Basu, Devi Lal and Parkash Singh Badal.
Jyoti Basu had a deep association with the state of Punjab. When Emergency was declared in India, he stayed at the farm of Akali leader Kuldip Singh Wadala in a village at Jalandhar. Like other communist leaders, he found a willing host in Punjab. When the anti-Sikh pogrom was let loose by the Congress-ruled states, it was the Chief Ministers like Jyoti Basu that halted the march of mindless violence and hooliganism. It was his commitment, dedication and integrity that he emerged as one of the most respected figures in Indian politics. It was virtually inconceivable earlier that a Chief Minister could be considered worthy to lead the nation. Further, it would have been inconceivable that a person of leftist ideology could lead the nation. But Jyoti Basu changed all that. Not only was he considered worthy of the position, but his name was uttered with awe and respect.
It is to his credit that he embraced idealism while studying in England. To be taught by legendary figures like Harold Laski and then return to one’s homeland to serve the people was again a testimony to his idealism.
I may not share his ideology, but I share his commitment and love for the country. And if I continue to remain an idealist, it is because people like Jyoti Basu continue to inspire politicians like me.
