New Delhi (Aryavarth): Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has expressed his support for the ongoing discussions among non-BJP parties to form a federal front for the upcoming general elections. Sen, speaking during a recent visit to his ancestral residence in Bolpur, West Bengal, emphasized that democracy often requires power-sharing. He stated that the majority vote should not marginalize minority parties, but instead, opposition parties should unite to balance power. Sen pointed out that this approach was evident during the opposition conclave held in Patna last month.
The upcoming meeting in Bengaluru, which will involve leaders from 24 opposition parties, aims to devise a united strategy for the 2024 elections.
Addressing the situation in Manipur, where ethnic tensions have resulted in numerous casualties, Sen emphasized the need for just and forceful intervention by the central government. He expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister had not made a statement addressing the issue in a fair and balanced manner. Sen also commented on the defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the concerning trend of politicians facing arrest or losing their seats over such cases. He stated that India might be moving in an unfortunate direction in this regard.
Regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Sen expressed skepticism about its constructive role. He pointed out that the Indian Constitution was carefully crafted and allowed different sides of the Indian polity to express their views, leading to a consensus. Sen expressed concerns about the potential negative consequences and the impact on India’s democratic experiment that the UCC might have.
Sen’s call for a just intervention in Manipur and his concerns about the UCC have heated the political discourse.