Active Politics and Social Work are Symbiotic : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 Active Politics and Social Work are Symbiotic

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Telangana Today (27-09-2023)

In two recent letters addressed to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and State Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, as predicted by some political analysts, rejected to clear names of young Dr Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana for nomination to State Legislative Council in Governor’s Quota.

Sravan, is a multifaceted Socio-Political Activist, who in his own inimitable fashion, committed to Telangana’s Transformation, since the days of second phase of separate statehood movement and also known for his Visionary Professional Development, Academics, Corporate Human Resource Innovations, Mentoring skills, Writing proficiency, Filmmaking, Acting, Media Analysis and Advocacy for Voiceless. Equally competent and eligible is another candidate, Kurra Satyanarayana.

Constitutional Provisions

Governor rejected their nominations despite State Cabinet decision, which normally is binding on Governor, citing couple of Constitutional Provisions. These include, among others, the nominees’ ‘Active Participation in Politics,’ corporate and academic sectors only, but did not include any special achievements in literature, arts, science, cooperative movement, and social service, which makes them ineligible. Governor also mentioned about absence of proper documentation in support of proof of fulfilment of constitutional criteria. And hence, it would be inappropriate for her to consider and nominate them as Members of the Legislative Council.

The Governor further made a mention that there are ‘several eminent non-politically affiliated people recognized in the State fulfilling the requisites prescribed under Article 171(5) of the Constitution,’ probably hinting at considering choosing from among them!!! It may be true that for any position, there would be several eligible aspirants, but accommodating all in one go is not possible, until their turn comes. Governor’s decision is seen in intellectual and political circles as, ‘Stirring up yet another political controversy ahead of the Assembly Elections.’

Pertinent Questions

There were strong protests from BRS leadership against the decision of Governor, and from BJP leadership in defense of Governor’s decision. These lead to several pertinent questions and ponderable valid issues, arising out of this development.

The first and foremost ponderable is, in democratic polity, can there be even a remote prospect to delink Politics with other professions, be it social work, academic engagement, legal, medical, engineering, agricultural professions etc. not to speak of several other small and big trades? There are many in this country and abroad who in and out of politics engage themselves in some of the above said professions, and some even while in politics and occupying higher positions including elected posts.

There shall not be a restriction for a ‘Political Activist,’ to carry on social, academic, professional, service etc. activities parallelly being in active politics. There shall not be a ‘Static, Orthodox and unacceptable’ interpretation to provisions quoted in Constitution that come in the way of ‘Progress’ and ‘Career Development’ of any individual, not to speak of those who belong to Backward Classes. Constitutional Provisions shall be ‘Dynamic.’ Social Work and Politics have sometimes distinct and sometimes similar roles and purposes. Both are not mutually exclusive. Social Workers may engage in ‘Advocacy and Lobbying’ to influence ‘Policy Changes.’ Politicians may work to address social issues and vice versa through legislation. The two fields often intersect when addressing complex social problems and striving for societal improvements for betterment of society.

There are Distinguished Politicians who are Excelling in Social Work in India. Nothing prevented them being in ‘Active Politics’ and also in ‘Active Social Work.’ For instance, Dr Achyuta Samanta, Lok Sabha Member from Kandhamal in Odisha State, a noted educationist, and philanthropist and founder of world-class institutions is the classic example. Besides education and tribal upliftment, healthcare, and rural development, Dr Achyuta Samanta has contributed to art, culture, literature, film, media, society, and national integration. ‘Active Politics and Active Social Work are Symbiotic’ if one understands it.

   In the ever-changing scenario of needs, desires, values, demands of the society, the Constitution of any democratic country, including that if India, cannot remain static. It should be alive, dynamic and keep on changing itself to suit to the present-day conditions, keeping the basic structure intact. Similarly, ‘Constitutional Conventions’ are rules of good political behavior and are typically rules of self-restraint, not merely ‘Exercising Powers.’ Constitution's Spirit is the Preamble, and the guiding spirit for Indian Nation and the touchstone of Basic Features of the Constitution of India.

Maintaining Relationship

Those who are occupying Constitutional Positions in India, like that of Governor, may please glance into the Genesis and Evolution of British Monarch, that can be compared with Rashtrapathi of India whose relationship with Prime Minister is akin to that of Governor and Chief Minister in the states. Constitutional provisions can be conveniently or inconveniently interpreted but conventions go a long away in maintaining relationships. It is ‘Relationship’ that is important and certainly not ‘Constitutional Provisions’ always. If once Relationship is breached, then Provisions have hardly any meaning and relevance in a democratic polity.

In this context, or even otherwise, it would be interesting if one looks at the Indian Constitution objectively, with reference to Governor’s duties, responsibilities, and powers in the ever-changing political scenario. Framers of the Constitution resolved that under Constitutional Scheme of things, the Governor was to be only a ‘Formal Constitutional Head’ with strictly limited powers in the discharge of almost all his or her functions.

The words in Article 163 that ‘there shall be Council of Ministers to advise the Governor in the exercise of his or her functions’ really means that the Governor shall act (necessarily follow) on the advice of Council of Ministers only. Governor thus emerged as a nominal, titular, constitutional head appointed by President of India, heading his or her Government.

The inference of all this is, in the backdrop of Constitutional Spirit, reconsidering of nominating, Dr Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana, as Members of Legislative Council, in accordance with Cabinet’s Recommendations is appropriate and legitimate. Hence, a second, fresh and favorable thought may be given by Governor in this direction.

Social work is a broad profession that intersects with several disciplines and of late more with politics. The study of Political Sociology which is an interdisciplinary field concerned with exploring how governance and society interact and influence each other at the micro to macro levels of analysis, will make one to understand better, the broad contours of relationship between ‘Active Politics and Active Social Work.’

Like Politics, which is not only a mere institution of governance but also a mechanism for achieving societal goals, Social Work too is a mechanism for achieving societal goals. Social work and Politics are practice-based professions to promote social change and development, social cohesion, empowerment, and liberation of people. Political activity of social activists takes place in the broader context of social justice as one of the core values. And hence a ‘Political Activist,’ who is also a ‘Social Activist’ is hundred percent eligible for nomination as MLC.

(Writer is Chief Public Relations Officer to the Chief Minister of Telangana)