Chuntni Paddhatini Bhayankarta

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chuntni Paddhatini Bhayankarta" (The Terrible Nature of the Election System) by Prabhudas Bechardas Parekh:

The book argues that the current election system in India is a detrimental import from Europe, fundamentally undermining India's traditional societal structure and values. The author contrasts this with India's historical system of selecting qualified individuals and the principle of "guardianship" (Valipana).

Key Arguments and Points:

• Historical Context:

  • India did not have an "election" system in the modern sense. Instead, it had a method for selecting suitable and qualified individuals for responsibilities, akin to how Governors are still appointed today.
  • The absence of a formal election system was rooted in India's principle of "guardianship," where no one held absolute, permanent rights. This prevented issues like capitalism and laborism from arising.
  • Under the guardianship system, responsible individuals did not consider their wealth and rights as their sole property; they acted as custodians for the welfare of society. This concept was introduced by Europeans with their self-interest in mind.

• The "Guardianship" System and its Destruction:

  • In the guardianship system, farmers produced food for the people, and their welfare was paramount. They were encouraged to own their profession and sell their produce at fair prices when they wished.
  • However, an international policy to develop mechanical farming in India led to laws and schemes that favored farmers, enabling them to sell at higher prices and earn more.
  • The author criticizes this, stating that this focus on individual farmer benefit, like selling only at desired prices, leads to hoarding (farmers storing excess grain) which results in artificial scarcity and inflated prices, harming the general populace. The guardianship system did not create such situations.
  • While acknowledging that medieval farmers faced hardship, the author attributes this to British commercial policies aimed at consolidating their power by isolating rulers from their subjects.
  • Similarly, before banks existed, moneylenders (Sarrafs) accumulated wealth to increase production and invested in industries by lending money when needed. Kings also sacrificed their lives for the protection of their subjects, and religious leaders provided moral guidance. Brahmins lived virtuous lives to preserve societal rituals. In essence, all sections of society lived in mutual cooperation.

• The European Influence and the Introduction of Elections:

  • European nations, following their 1492 declaration, adopted a policy of global expansion, establishing dominance over land and sea routes. They adapted their strategies to local conditions to serve their self-interest and strengthen their position. This, the author claims, weakened the local populations despite superficial progress.
  • When Europeans arrived in India, they made those who were leading in the guardianship system into proprietors and temporary authorities. They manipulated these individuals to serve their own interests without any opposition.
  • This process led to the replacement of genuine guardianship with artificial vested interests. Through these vested interests, Europeans allegedly caused the misuse of authority, leading subsequent generations of the populace to develop disinterest in this class of guardians.
  • The author asserts that Europeans found it necessary to separate this guardian class from power and public life to fulfill their self-interest. Hence, they introduced "Democracy" with concepts like self-governance, voting rights, elections, and majority rule.
  • This system was initially promoted in European countries and then propagated in India through educated Indians who favored modern ideals, such as lawyers.

• Destruction of Indian Culture and Values by Elections:

  • India's guardianship culture was rooted in the four-Purushartha (aims of life) culture established by benevolent world-benefiting Mahapurushas (great souls) to ensure the people lived excellent lives. This culture had become ingrained, and a responsible class was entrusted with the duty of public welfare within constitutional and authoritative limits. This tradition extended from the great Tirthankar-like guardians (Mahavalis) to lesser guardians.
  • The author poses a critical question: is it better to act based on people's immediate requests or majority resolutions, or to provide guidance with long-term foresight for future welfare? He strongly advocates for the latter.
  • Following the guidance of Mahapurushas led to a simple, thrifty, and restrained life with proper conduct in all dealings.
  • However, to establish their own authority, Europeans, by law from 1880 onwards, promoted the opposite system of voting rights and gradually introduced elections into municipalities and legislative assemblies, making people more familiar with it.
  • The author believes the election law was created to remove genuine public well-wishers, the followers of Mahapurushas, from their positions.

• Critique of the Indian Constitution and Elections:

  • The new Indian Constitution, according to the author, has destroyed the world-benefiting, non-violent culture. It enforces elections and decision-making by majority rule.
  • The general public believes that by electing members according to their wishes, governance will also proceed according to their wishes. However, everyone remains subject to the law. The laws themselves were not accepted through a properly qualified election process but were presented as being voluntarily accepted by the public.
  • The new Indian constitution is based on foreign ideals that hide foreign interests. As time passes, foreign ideals and education will spread, gaining majority support, and through this popular majority, foreign objectives will be achieved. This is the hidden advantage of the election system, which allows for the acceptance of any subject in the legislature based on prevailing majority opinion.
  • American, British, and other populations are providing significant financial assistance and expert support to develop activities detrimental to Indians and beneficial to foreigners, diverting the public from the path of true welfare.

• The Ultimate Harm: Disintegration and Anarchy:

  • The abolition of established interests (like the guardianship system) eradicates the principle of guardianship, leaving the public without any true guides or well-wishers. This, the author warns, is a significant loss for the Indian public, even if immediate benefits accrue to certain sections.
  • The election system, under the guise of individual freedom and the principle of "each mind has its own opinion" (mundē mundē matiḥ), has divided the public into fragmented thoughts and ideologies. The "divide and rule" aspect, leading to the destruction of public unity, is a grave evil within the election system, alongside numerous other harms.
  • This has led to a breakdown of familial ties, caste systems, religious organizations, respect for elders, and established social, economic, moral, spiritual, and religious structures, resulting in growing anarchy. This is a visible evil. Differences in thought and opinion are emerging even within families (father-son, husband-wife, brothers, brother-sister), leading to divisions. The author urges wise individuals to consider this grave harm urgently.

The book concludes by attributing the responsibility for this decline to the introduction of the election system, which has systematically dismantled India's traditional societal bonds and values.