PR Extension (November 23)

The Parliament has passed the extension of President's Rule in Manipur by another six months. The reason given for the move is that the law and order situation as well as the financial crunch needed to be tackled effectively and normalcy restored before the state administration can be handed over back to an elected government. 

The reason is fair enough. The concentration of administrative power at a single node during the emergency measure of President's Rule can help streamline a number of extremely stubborn administrative creases. It is for no reason that
President's Rule, is sometimes referred to, as a mild form of dictatorship, with democracy's arguably the most important wing, that of the legislature, being kept on hold. 

But the nature of the problem in our state being such, both on the law and order front as well as the financial crisis, we are doubtful if the situation will improve even after six months. What if it doesn't? Will the President's Rule be extended again? We are fearful that the situation may come to such a pass that President's Rule may have to stay on much longer than calculated or desired, as it happened in Jammu and Kashmir when insurrection exploded in the state in the 1980s.

A mild form of dictatorship, President's Rule may very well be. But if the obvious administrative advantages of such a short circuiting of the text book democratic process are not seized upon to the best benefit of the system, we are of the opinion that the disadvantages will begin to pile and even outweigh the advantages sooner than later. Among these will be public resentment at unfulfilled expectations. It goes without saying that the people actually hoped President's Rule would be a respite from the (un) popular rule -- a swift gearshift that will leave behind the governmental work culture lethargy, corruption in high places and many other ailments of the society. 

It is true that these are high expectations by any standards, but the fact of the matter is, the people did expect these miracles to happen. President's Rule provision was introduced, if our understanding of the spirit of the constitution is not wrong, precisely to overcome emergencies. This also implies that if any spell of President's Rule is unable to overcome the emergency for which it was made essential, the failure is immense. A condition, we do feel is a graver emergency, for President's Rule is the last defense of the failing administration. 

To use a sporting analogy, its importance is as that of a goalkeeper in the defense of the goal. A slip beyond this point spells nothing less than defeat. Maybe it is a resignation, but we are also not too keen to see a (un) popular government just as yet. But we also would like to see a President's Rule that can positively resolve crises by asserting its will with conviction. We would like to see it clear the field for the democratic process to return and function unhindered. 

We apologize that we are also at a loss to understand how, but we wish the Presidents Rule were able to solve over and above all else the financial crisis in the state even if it means earning some short term unpopularity. In the meantime let the people also stop expecting miracles and are ready to swallow some bitter pills if honestly and transparently presented as a medicine for the ills plaguing our society.

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