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Kejriwal is right, Delhi must hold a Brexit-like referendum on statehood

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Apoorva Pathak
Apoorva PathakJun 24, 2016 | 18:43

Kejriwal is right, Delhi must hold a Brexit-like referendum on statehood

It's raining referendums or so it seems after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declared Delhi will hold its own referendum on statehood even as the world is yet to fully grasp the implication of the impending exit by Britain from the European Union (EU) in keeping with the will of its people.

Today, more than ever before, the idea of deciding on statehood through referendum is an idea whose time has come. This is because:

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1. The people must be allowed to decide

In a democracy the will of the people should be supreme. If people want a statehood, who are the babus to deny them? And if those opposing statehood for Delhi have merit on their side, why should they be afraid of testing it in the court of the people? Democracies are worse off when people's will is trampled upon by the powers that be.

Delhi, after all, is one of India's most prosperous and educated places with a population almost as large as that of Australia. Surely, the people of Delhi are capable of determining what's best for them.

brexit-55_062416063827.jpg
Britain voted in a referendum to leave the EU. 

By running away from a vote by the people, the opponents of statehood for Delhi give the impression that they are afraid of not having merit in their arguments, and instead have to rely on force to evade people's will. For a fair decision to emerge, in which no side feels cheated, it's imperative to let the people decide.

2. Examples from around the world - Spain, Scotland Brexit as well as in Sikkim

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Examples of referendum from around the world add weight to Kejriwal's case.

Increasingly mature democracies around the world have empowered their citizens to make decisions on contentious issues that have had profound implications, for instance, a referendum on forming a new nation, as witnessed when Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom in a referendum in 2014, or one on leaving international unions, as the Brexit vote on June 23, by which Britain decided to leave the European Union (EU).

The Brexit vote amply showed the importance accorded to people's will in a referendum. British prime minister David Cameron and a majority of the MPs were fiercely against Britain leaving EU. But they didn't impose their will on the people. They left the decision to the will of the people.

Both sides got an opportunity to put their cases in front of the public and for good or bad, the people of Britain decided to leave the EU.

It is the wonder of democracy that the voice of a common man is given the same weight as that of the high and mighty in deciding their shared future. Why should anyone who has faith in democracy and cheers such referendums, which strengthen democracies abroad, have any problem with one at home? Why should an important issue like statehood not be openly discussed and debated in the world's largest democracy?

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India's own history of supporting a referendum in Sikkim in 1975 on the question of its inclusion in the Indian Union and abolishing the monarchy provides us with a precedence and a model for allowing a referendum in Delhi.

3. Merit in granting statehood to Delhi

Perhaps the reason those who are against statehood for Delhi are also against a referendum on the issue is that deep in their hearts, they recognise there is merit in granting statehood to Delhi.

It will end the multiplicity of authorities, will ensure better accountability, sensitivity and performance of the different institutions of the State such as police which today are aloof towards people's concerns.

It will create a unified authority that can live up to the aspirations of the citizens, free the Centre up, allowing it to focus on its core responsibilities instead of wasting its energy on local issues like policing which it currently is saddled with. Ultimately, statehood may be instrumental in creating a Delhi that India can be proud of.

Thus seeing that the odds in a free and fair debate is stacked against them, those against statehood for Delhi are hiding behind technicalities to prevent a referendum. But if citizens across the world can have their voices heard, there is no reason Indian citizens should be denied a similar right.

It's time Delhi's future is decided by the people who have to live that future, and not imposed by politicians.

Last updated: June 24, 2016 | 18:43
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