The Chandra Shekhar Chat
Even though his wife was critically ill, former prime minister Chandra Shekhar did not renege on his commitment to appear on The Rediff Independence Day Chat. And, like always, his responses provoked thought long after he had logged out.
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:36 IST)
Hello everyone. I am ready to answer your questions.
A R Iyer (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:27 IST)
Chandra Shekharji, there is a lot of talk about corruption in the President and prime minister's speeches and launching an assault on graft. Do you think Indian politics is so rotten? Do you believe that corruption can ever be removed from our society?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:41 IST)
A R Iyer: I do not agree with the expression of the President and PrimeMinister. In India 95% people earn their livelihood by hard labour. Hardly 5% have the opportunity to become corrupt. Among those also a substantial per cent works with dignity and honesty. A small section indulge in corruption does not constitute the nation. It is unfortunate that people in authority are influenced by propaganda and begin to talk about corruption as if it were the only problem in the nation. This is the expression of certain complex and lack of confidence. Those who can change the situation should work to root out corruption rather than indulging in idle talks.
Sheetal Ramalingam (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:40 IST)
Good morning, Sir! It is a pleasure meeting with you. What did you think of the IDay 50 celebrations? Do you believe the government woke up too late?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:43 IST)
Sheetal: There was some complanency in the beginning. Now the government has taken up the task sincerely. The golden jubilee to be celebrated after 50 years. It is just the beginning. I hope the government will beable to coordinate this celebration in a befitting manner in the coming months.
ravikc (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:39 IST)
Greetings on the 50th, ChandraShekharji, You are very much part of the ethos good and otherwise the country has seen and is seeing. Does it please you? Satisfy you?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:46 IST)
ravikc: The situation as of today is not very bright. We are facing some serious problems. Some are inherent to the situation others have been created by our own wrong decisions. A corrective measure is the need of the day. I am confident that the developing public opinion will force the government to mend its ways.
Nirav (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:42 IST)
All the ppl about here..Ans me one ques. How do u think we should celebrate the 50th year? Dont u think it's much wiser to work harder than ever today instead of taking a holiday today!
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:49 IST)
Nirav: I fully agree that we should try to enlist the willing co-operation of our people. The only way to solve our problem is to work hard, but this can be done only if we create a new faith among the masses that the fruit of their labour will bring prosperity and joy to their children. Widening disperity and vulgar ostentatious living among the priviliged sections of society create frustrations and despair among the people who really contribute to economic growth. This situation has to be changed.
Nirav (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:30 IST)
Chandra shekarji, How do you see the future of this government?
Nirav (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:45 IST)
Chandrashekarji Namaste! How do u see the future of the present government and do u feel that this government is capable of taking us into 21st century?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:52 IST)
Nirav: Nobody can be certain about the future of this government It is a coalation of 14 parties. 2 others are supporting from outside. On every issue there is full pressure from various quarters. It is a continious strain. The country will go to the 21st century, but I don't know if this government will continue till that time. The prospects are very bleak.
Mark (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:51 IST)
Would you like to shed some light on the fall of your minority government toppled by Rajiv Gandhi?were you really involved in the spying case?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:54 IST)
Mark: this is an old story. i do not want to say anything about it. as Shri Rajiv Gandhi is no more. But the truth is known by the whole nation. It will not be proper for me to comment on this.
samajwadi (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:50 IST)
chandrashekharji, when you say that only 5%of the population is corrupt, why is that we find that every alternate day new scams comup, from fodder to shoes. Hum ab kis ka hawala de is desh me?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:58 IST)
samajwadi: I did not say that 5% are corrupt. I said hardly 5% have the opportunity to be corrupt. A large section are also working honestly.This news about corrutption daily comes in the press only because politicians get a pleasure in personal acrimony and many of them get a peculiar type of satisfaction by indulging in this type of mutual criticism which most of the time is the outcome of personal discord and hatred. I have been of the opinion that cases of corruption should be investigated by the police without any interference from the politicians, but I haven't understood the desirability to turn Parliament into a forum to level charges against each other.
Lionel (Thu Aug 14 1997 22:57 IST)
Good Morning Mr Chandrashekhar-I have logged in from the Sultanate Of Oman & am on this chat,with greetings from many of us here-HAPPY 50TH INDEPENDENCE DAY. My first question-You had so much of promise,when U began in politics & were called the Young Turk.What happened suddenly,why have U run out of steam now.
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:1 IST)
Lionel: Thank you very much for the comments. I have not run out of steam. I have been pursuing what I consider to be a correct path. now is the time when people have begun to think that the ony way to solve our problems is to join the market forces of the world and the propaganda in this favour is all pervading. I have been against this tendency and it is no surprise that forces that control the media are set against me but i am not bothered about it. I am against them, they are against me, so it gives a wrong impression.
Sriram (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:0 IST)
Sir, what one symbol, person, place (no matter how small) stands to you as the epitome of a weathervane for India's progress for the next 50 years? Comment from your lengthy experience as an elder statesman.
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:7 IST)
Sriram, During the freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi gave one message to the people of India. 'Be fearless, nobody can oppress you' Live within your resources and pursue the path of austerity and simple living.' This was inherited from our seers and saints for centuries. Vulgar ostentatious living is the cause of social tensions. It was not a slogan; it was a strategy to enthuse the toiling masses to work for the prosperity of the nation. Today, again we shall have to depend on our natural resources which are in abundance and upon the co-operation of our people who are satisfied with very little. The world is very cruel. No one is going to help us if we do not help ourselves. With this spirit there is no problem before the nation which we can't solve ourself.
Lionel (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:2 IST)
Mr Chandra Shekar-What is your opinion on Democracy for India? In my opinion, I think the ruling elite has misused this concept. Please can you give us your opinion on this?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:12 IST)
Lionel: Democracy has taken a route in India. It is not only because of our experience of five decades. It is in the temper and culture of our nation. More than 2,000 years back the first republic was formed in Vaishali in India. After the second world war many nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America started with the experiment with democracy -- India is the only nation where it has survived in spite of the complex problems the nation has to face. An attempt to destroy democracy was thought by the people getting the first opportunity -- this is an assurance to the fact that democracy will survive in spite of all problems that we are facing today.
Sanjay Mahajan (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:0 IST)
I have a simple question to ask. What you intend to do about the only two chronic problems -- Corruption and Population. Why don't politicians wage a war against these ?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:16 IST)
Sanjay : I have already talked about corruption, Population is a serious problem -- it has to be tackled to achieve the desired results we have to make people literate, especially our womenfolk. Elementary health care needs more attention. It has been proved beyond doubt that ignorance and uncertainty about the survival of the child gives impetus to the tendency of having more children. As we are not paying enough attention to meet the basic minimum needs of our people, we are incapable in tackling the problem of population growth.
kalyan (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:13 IST)
Chandrashekharji, what do you think is more harmful to the country - casteism or communalism? Why is it that BJP is criticised for being communal and other parties are let off for being casteist?
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:24 IST)
Kalyan: Fanaticism of any sort is dangerous for the healthy growth of society. Emotions aroused around caste and religion are equally disasterous. It is unfortunate that in our country as people don't see much prospect for their future they cling to their old identities and these old identities are that of religion and caste. For the last few years there has been a growing tendency among a section of politicians to play upon these emotive issues. The BJP tried to play the religious card -- they got the support of the people and some visible success in the political field. To check this trend was desirable but to use the caste slogan in the name of social justice and secularism in no way can be termed as a a progressive stand. But this is not being understood by certain people who think that by giving another slogan of fanaticism they will be able to defeat the forces of communalism. They are unable to understand that in long term the slogan of religion will always defeat caste fanaticism because religion has more pervasive influence. This type of shadow boxing is going to create more confusion -- the need is to relate politics with the basic problems of the people, that of hunger, disparity, illiteracy, and lack of opportunity to live a dignified life.
Chandra Shekhar (Thu Aug 14 1997 23:26 IST)
I thank all of you for sharing your views with me on the Independence Day of India. I assure you that in spite of all complicated issues the people will be assert themselves and with their cohesive and united effort will bring about a brighter future leading a happy and joyous life. I wish you all a bright future. Thank you.
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