Growing Governmental Lawlessness

Growing 'Governmental Lawlessness' A R Desai RULERS of Independent India, since Indira Gandhi's regime and more particularly during the last year and a half of Rajiv Gandhi's regime, are sternly ordering the ordinary citizens of India that they should strictly observe the 'rule of law' and 'maintain order'. The Rulers proclaim that India is the youngest and largest democracy and, therefore, citizens should not only enjoy the rights given to them by the Constitution and by legislation but also perform their duties, without deviation, enjoined upon them to see that law and order' is not jeopardised. In fact the insistence of the rulers that citizens perform their duties has acquired greater intensity than the exercise of their rights by citizens. The rulers have introduced special amendments in the Constitution incorporating a new section on 'Duties of Citizens' and have also passed numerous laws, ordinances and even modifications in the sections proclaiming fundamental rights which have curbed and nullified some of the rights embodied in the Constitution. The rulers have acquired additional extraordinary powers to see that citizens maintain 'law and order'.