Will the real Mr. Drabu stand up? risingkashmir/will-the-real-mr-drabu-stand-up/ Haseeb Drabu, the PDP’s candidate from Rajpora, Pulwama, is a man who does not shy away from pointing out contradictions – imagined or real – in the domain of public life, politics and public policy. This apparently suggests hyper confidence or hubris. He also wraps and then presents himself in the mantle of apolitical intellectualism, honesty and integrity. This either accrues from a self perception fed by a lack of real challenge(s) in terms of public debate or sheer vanity. Anyhow, the nature of the personality of the man is besides the point here. What is significant is the nature of his remarks made public in an interview to the Rising Kashmir and what could be adduced from these. Drabu emerges as a man of contradictions or a man who cultivates a certain persona and is set to defend this in public. The man also emerges as a person who indulges in what amounts to hagiography: defending and promoting political figures and vouching for them- something that a self respecting intellectual would never do. It follows then that sovereignty is neither dead nor passé. It is very much alive and kicking, so to speak. In realms where the state has given up some sovereign prerogatives, the state asserted its sovereign powers in a more subtle and sophisticated manner. Moreover, in the sub-continental or even South Asian context, sovereignty is cherished and guarded jealously with vigor: most of the states comprising South Asia are newly decolonized states where sovereignty is equated with independence and freedom from the yoke of colonial rule. It may constitute the ultimate vanity to believe that states in the region-especially India and Pakistan- will cede their sovereign powers. Moreover, the region is in the midst of a power play and ceding sovereignty will axiomatically be seen as a zero sum game. States are not altruistic entities; they are selfish ones inspired and motivated by power and security. Sovereign prerogatives are therefore jealously guarded and promoted by the state.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 15:15:00 +0000
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