Today we are observing International Justice Day and I am reminded of the wonderful song by John Lennon : Imagine
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
Ah
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one.
I think the theory of developmental state isn’t capitalist or socialist.The developmental state is based on combinations of positive advantages and positive role of government especially towards the vulnerable communities. First of all, economic development requires a state which can create and regulate appropriate conditions for holistic development. The developmental state tries to balance economic growth and social development. It uses state resources and at times state influence to ignore poverty and expand economic opportunities. In all countries the state plays some role in shaping the structure and output of the economy.Essential elements of the developed state is Government and Sovereignty having said this what is justice in the present context.There are dimensions of justice, human rights and constitutionalism that need to guide governments when there is a public health emergency as with Covid-19 in the recent past,the focus has to be on the right to health, right to work, right to life including empathy for the working poor and ethical state practice.
The most vulnerable and the most precarious have a prerogative over state resources and state protection on every count.
Castism, equity, education, healthcare, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights are just some of the social justice battles that are still being fought in our country.
Let’s discuss those issues on various levels and we can achieve a just wold as always John Lennon imagined.
– Rajesh Jadhav
The author is the National Co-ordinator, National Council of Churches in India, Urban-Rural Mission.
He can be reached at labourrajesh@rediffmail.com
