Pointers towards Restructuring, Reform, Reconciliation and Resurgence

October 11, 2017 408 Views No Comment

The mechanism of upper houses can also be used to give appropriate representation to special groups and ethnic minorities and even to “outsiders”.
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The problem of “foreigners” has to be treated differently. There is no way earlier cohorts of illicit immigrants are going to be deported except through due process which may be redefined if necessary. Those established to have entered India after the presently stipulated cut-off date should enjoy all civil and economic rights but may be denied electoral rights until legitimately brought on the rolls. They should be eligible for naturalisation after five or more years as may be determined and their children accorded citizenship by birth. All births, deaths and property sales should be registered. None of this will be easy. But a beginning has to be made to plug loopholes and facilitate a permanent settlement.

The future ingress of illicit immigrants, especially from Bangladesh and Nepal, has to be controlled by better border management and accelerated develop-ment of those countries, a task that India must assist in its own enlightened self-interest. Over and beyond that, entry must be regulated by authorised work-permits for designated jobs in specified areas. Such protocols must work both ways, with Indians eligible to go to Bangladesh on similar terms whenever opportunity arises.

What is the role of the media, especially the regional media, in all of this? The Fourth Estate sets the agenda and shapes social discourse. It has to abandon cynicism and carping criticism even as it focuses on incompetence and malfeasance. It can ensure transparency and accountability within parameters of responsible journalism. It needs to reinforce success by reporting on the many positive things, small and big, happening around the region. It must interpret the North-East to the rest of India and the greater Indian reality to the North-East.

Much more can be said of the North-East. I certainly see better days ahead. The country is now more conscious of the North-East and is genuinely anxious to assist its development and resurgence. But the North-East cannot just wait for something to turn up. It has to exert itself and put its house in order. The way ahead is not going to be easy. There is much to be done. It’s time, together, to get on with the job.

By B.G. Verghese

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