Thirukural 448 (Opposition to Government)

Every country is ruled according to the constitution. Constitutions vary from country to country. UK has an unwritten evolved constitution with parliamentary democracy.PM is the real chief executive.

USA has the shortest and oldest written constitution (only 4400 words) with presidential democracy .President is directly elected by the people  through electoral colleges for four years ( not five ). There is no PM in USA. 
President is the real chief executive with mighty powers but controlled 
by certain ' checks and balances'.

India has a written constitution (1,17,389 words) with parliamentary democracy. People elect the Lok Sabha members for 5 years and the majority party in the Lok Sabha elect the PM. He is the real chief executive and rules the country with the help of the Cabinet. In any democratic set up, a strong opposition is very much essential to pin point the faults of the government.

During Thiruvalluvar time, there was monarchy, king as the state, government, legislature and judiciary. His command was law, words were judgement and signals were punishments. He was Sovereign. Opposing him was a royal crime and the punishment was beheading without any trail. During that time, Thiruvalluvar warned the king by saying that,  he should have critics, otherwise he will fall even without enemies.

India is the largest democratic country in the world. This democracy has to be preserved, protected and safely passed on to the next generation.In this sacred task , the role of opposition is no way less than the ruling party. Peoples' freedom, rights, liberty, equality , justices etc are to be protected.

The constitution had give statutory recognition to the leaders of the opposition in both the houses of the Parliament. The opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha enjoy all the perks given to a cabinet minister.( car, banglow, office ,staff etc). It is the duty of the cabinet rank opposition leaders of both the Houses to give constructive criticism to the ills of the ruling party and protect the interest 
of the sovereign people.

Thiruvalluvar insists that there should be some constructive opposition for the ruling power, otherwise the rulers will fall even without external enemies.

Essence of Kural 448:

Without the critics to point out the faults

The king will perish without enemies.

In modern context:

Without opposition to point out the wrong policies

Any government will fall in the next election.

In general:

1) An individual also needs some critics in his life. One needs a close friend or relative or spouse to pin point the faults, otherwise he will fail despite having no enemies.

2) The economy of a country will fall if the government does not correct the functions of financial institutions.

3) Corporate companies will fall, if there are no courageous directors to point out the faulty management.

In Tamil:

Itiparrai illata emara mannan

Ketuppar ilanum kedum.





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