Nature Human Centric Concept

Nature HumaNCeNtriCCoNCeptNo. 1 September 2016Editor: Om Prakash SarafIN THIS ISSUE :Some Journal is EssentialAn ideological-political journal can do wonders in propagating its line further 02What Constitutes Jammu-Kashmir Problem? 03 10A Look at the Gravity of the Problem, How it Originated, Rise of theMilitancy, and Response of the Present GovernmentWhat is the Solution to Jammu-Kashmir Problem?Agenda of the Problem, Certain Principles for Solution, Some Suggestionsfor a Reasonable, Viable and Rational Solution, All around Benefits of thisProposal, It makes the Future BrightUphold Scientific Realism in Practice too 16 22This concept needs to be reaffirmed at the moment as some trends havebeen reluctant to pracise it Two Criticisms and My ResponseWhat did the two friends – one from Punjab, and the other from Jammu –say on WhatsApp and what I told them

A Journal is EssentialFor Spreading Your Ideas FurtherThe Nature Human Centric Viewpoint believes that innumerable phenomena concerning nature and society and their respective laws go onconstantly evolving and updating themselvesaccording to the new changes. For those striving toknow reality, therefore, it is essential always to keepreviewing changing phenomena. And an ideological-political journal can do wonders in propagating its linefurther. Right now, there is no journal which includesideological content in conformity with Nature HumanCentric Viewpoint as well as analysis of importanthappenings around us. Absence of such a journalsince 7½ years has been jarring.Not a Print, But an Electronic Magazine So a magazine named as Nature Human CentricConcept is being launched in English; the Hindi editionwill be available shortly. It is not claimed that it wouldbe a high quality ideological-political journal. But therewould be continuous efforts to bring it out regularly;and to have in it ideological content as well as analysesof current happenings. As of now, it would be difficultto make it available in print form but it would be sentthrough electronic media including E-mail.Request for Cooperation Comrades are requested to cooperate in improvingit by providing articles, suggesting subjects, carryingout translation work, reading proofs, providing E-mailsof comrades and most importantly by commenting onthe articles or initiating discussion on them. —Editor2 Nature Human centric concept

(This paper was written for a Seminar held in Jammu on 04.09.2016; the basic formulations in it have been adopted from the writings of Com. R.P. Saraf, founder of the NHCPM.)What Constitutes JK Problem?A Look at its History, Origin andthe Forces Keeping the Problem upHow Grave the Problem has been? Kashmir was again at the focus of discussion last days.It has been going through a crucial time. As the freneticdistrust between the majority of Jammu-Kashmir peopleand India’s political regime soared, the problem furtherdeepened. The hurt feelings of the people since manyyears have reached its zenith. The controversy rising since1947 between India's political regime and the people ofKashmir have passed through several phases. The anger,hatred and feeling of alienation this time was visible openlyon the roads and streets of Kashmir in the form of strikeand stone pelting, whereas response came in the form ofcurfew, lathies, pellets and bullets. There was a breakdownof civil administration. Essential services collapsed. Themedical systems buckled. The schools and colleges wereall closed. The enraging battle for more than 50 daysbetween two sides claimed 77 lives. Out of at least 8,500injured, about 5,000 were penetrated by the pellets. Therewere apprehensions that with pellets causing serious eyeinjury, nearly 500 people might lose their eyesight. Thehumanitarian problem was as massive that any sensibleperson could guess. Looking at its third dimension, more dreadful sceneemerges. Due to its correlation with Pakistan, the Jammu-Kashmir problem has stayed an excessively dangerousand troublesome global problem between India andPakistan. It has caused four wars including an undeclaredone fought till date between the two neighbours. Thepeoples of both the countries have still been suffering itsserious consequences. Still, this problem has the terriblepotential to disturb world peace. The issue has been lyingwith the UN for the last 68 years, but it has failed either to Nature Human centric concept 3

bring both countries closer or to offer any viable solution.During this period, the psyche of various big, medium orsmall countries have undergone many changes, but the UNand its Security Council have still not come out from theirtraditional mould of big power politics. However, judging by the newly emerging global balanceof forces, this region has strategically become a highlysensitive area in the world. The chief superpower of theworld, the US, has initiated various military and diplomaticmoves in a bid to contain China, now a number two worldsuperpower, so as to prevent it from playing an effectiveglobal political role. In South Asia too USA, which is facinga recession, and China, whose economy has slowed downconsiderably, are contending to control South Asia, with itsmarkets, raw materials and cheap labour. Both thesuperpowers are promoting conflict in this region. They are on a collision course, is also evident from theirdisputes over the South China Sea too. Of course, beingnuclear powers both may not dare to fight each otherthemselves. Moreover, as the nature of corporate capitalistprocesses regarding trade, investment and technologytransfer has been global and both powers have investedtoo much in each other's economies, they would not putthat to danger. But there is nothing to stop them fighting proxy wars,through their respective friends in this region. Who doesnot know that after the change of government in NewDelhi, India has moved more close to the American camp?Modi’s recent visit to US is only a culmination of theprocess started earlier. On the other hand, China is makingits own counter moves. It is tightening its hold on Nepal,and has a stronger grip over Pakistan.How did it originate? This problem has been a legacy of the partition for bothIndia and Pakistan. It is a common knowledge that thepartition was ignited by the then British rulers, MahatmaGandhi-directed Congress and Jinnah-led Muslim Leaguein 1947. They were the three main political players in thethen British Colonial India. The British thought that theformation of two dominions—one Hindu dominated andthe other Muslim majority—out of a united India will enable4 Nature Human centric concept

them to retain their stranglehold over the sub-continent’smarket and economy. But as the Congress perceived Indiaas Akhand Bharat and the Muslim League aimed for aloose Indian Confederation comprising various groups ofcountry’s Hindu and Muslim majority provinces, the twooutlooks could not reconcile. The result: India got dividedinto two parts. At the time of partition, Jammu-Kashmir like otherprincely states too was given a choice to choose one of thethree alternatives—either to join India or Pakistan or remainindependent. But Jammu-Kashmir ruler Maharaja HariSingh signed a Standstill Agreement with Pakistan andproposed one with India as well, and announced hisintention to remain independent. But his rule was opposedby the largest political party of Jammu-Kashmir at thattime, the National Conference, which demanded hisabdication. Meanwhile, attempting to force the issue ofstate’s accession, Pakistan first encouraged sometribesmen to cross the border and enter Kashmir, and thensent its armed personnel to wrest the state. As the invaders made rapid advance towards Srinagar,the Maharaja wrote to India, asking for military assistance.But India required the signing of an Instrument ofAccession and setting up an interim government headedby leader of the National Conference Sheikh Abdullah inreturn. The states which had internal autonomy under theBritish signed an Instrument of Accession which onlyceded three subjects to the government of India—defence,external affairs, and communications. Accordingly, theMaharaja complied and signed the Instrument ofAccession on 26 October 1947. The next day Governor-General Mountbatten accepting the accession of State tothe Dominion of India wrote to Maharaja expressing hisGovernment’s wish that, as soon as law and order hadbeen restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of theinvader, the question of the State’s accession should besettled by a reference to the people. All the princely states signed the instrument of accessionand subsequently merged, except for Jammu-Kashmir, intothe Indian Union in a number of phases. Here it is essentialto know that there is a vast difference between accessionand the merger. Accession is an association, a connection Nature Human centric concept 5

or a close access between one entity and another whichcan continue by mutual consent for some time or evenlonger. But merger is an amalgamation of two entities intoone where both blend to form a single entity. In all otherprincely states as peoples psyche was in favour of joiningIndia, there was no problem for merger. But in Jammu-Kashmir people's perception did not prefer merger. On the other side, the UN passed a resolution on August13, 1948 proposing India and Pakistan to reaffirm their wishthat the future status of the Jammu-Kashmir State shall bedetermined in accordance with the will of the people. Aftersuch reiteration by both the countries, it passed anotherresolution on January 5, 1949 that the question of theaccession of the Jammu-Kashmir to India or Pakistan willbe decided through the democratic method of a free andimpartial plebiscite. Both the resolutions failed to deliver.As neither Pakistan nor India withdrew its troops followingUN resolutions from those parts of the State which eachwas holding, the future status of Jammu-Kashmir could notbe determined in accordance with the will of the people. Everyone is aware of the subsequent history. In 1952, agovernment was formed in Jammu-Kashmir following theSheikh Abdullah-Jawaharlal Nehru Accord. The arrange-ment dragged till 1953. But later on, problems began tomultiply. For several reasons like the Sheikh's dismissal inAugust 1953 as Prime Minister of the State and hissubsequent arrest, rigging in almost every election despitethe adoption of State's own Constitution in 1957, virtualpolice rule under Bakshi Gulam Mohammad who becamePrime Minister after Sheikh, and his successors, theKashmiri people continued to get alienated from India'spolitical system. A plethora of Presidential Orders whichhave, gradually and gradually, applied increasingly inEntries from the Union List to the State List, made theState's Constitution redundant. Meanwhile the Center triedto carry on with provisional arrangements like Sheikh-Indiraand Rajiv-Farooq Accords. But Kashmiri mind continued todrift away from India.The Rise of Militancy After the advent of militancy in 1989, the rise in the casesof human rights violation, the humiliations inflicted on6 Nature Human centric concept

Kashmiris and the sheer indifference to their plight onlyadded to the alienation. Every government at the Centerdeclared Kashmir as a law and order problem and treatedit the same way. Each one of them resorted to suppressionon Kashmiris and employed police and army on this job.During the last 25-26 years, tens of thousands of peoplehave lost their lives. Human Rights groups say more than80,000 have been killed while the government puts thenumber at around 50,000. Around 3,400 peopledisappeared. There were an uncountable number of thoseinjured. A large number of innocent people were implicatedin cases involving rape, fake encounters and serious crime.Estimates of the displaced people vary from 170,000 to700,000. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits had to move toJammu because of militancy. How many women werewidowed? How many children were orphaned? How manygraveyards have come up in village after village? Nobodyhas an idea. During this period whenever the ire of the people turnedinto a mass movement and the widespread violenceensued, the Prime Minister at the Center whosoever hewas, tried in the name of healing touch to pacify peoplesanger through all party meetings. With this, they hoped, theproblem would itself dissipate. After the surfacing ofmilitancy when valley came to boil for the first time, an allparty delegation under the leadership of the then DeputyPrime Minister Devi Lal and Leader of the Opposition RajivGandhi had arrived in Kashmir in January 1990. Thosewere the days when Rubaiya Sayeed, the elder sister of thecurrent Chief Minister had just been kidnapped. In 1995 the late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao hadpromised “Sky is the Limit” with regard to autonomy inKashmir. Then, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure in 2004the government had two rounds of talks with the Hurriyatleaders. At that time Vajpayee spoke of solving thisproblem on the basis of of Kashmiriyat, Jamhuriyat andInsaniyat. Subsequently, Manmohan Singh moved in thisdirection during 2008 and 2010. But no formula of thecenter did work. Various all-party meetings and financialpackages failed to end the turmoil. The reason being allthose tried to resolve the problem on false pretensions thatKashmiris are demanding jobs and want some package for Nature Human centric concept 7

their development. Today, Kashmir has been on the boil again. Thousandsof young people have embarked on a path that they knowwould only bring death and destruction to themselves andtheir loved ones. The process that used to be concentratedonly to the towns has now spread to the rural areas. Whathas happened? Has a generation brought up duringdecades of strife and violence overcome the fear factor?Has it become so aware of its rights that it has beenlonging for political solution to its problems? The statementof Dr. Karan Singh, the successor of Maharaja Hari Singhand the first and the last Sadr-i-Riyasat was significant inthis respect. He said in Rajya Sabha on August 10 thatKashmir was not only an economic problem but a complexpolitical problem; today, a situation has developed wherethere was widespread alienation among the people of theValley; young people, intellectuals and everybody seem tobe going through some kind of an inner torture.The Response of the Present Union Government In such circumstances, the Jammu-Kashmir problemhas become the biggest challenge that the Narendra Modigovernment faced until now. The violence, suspicion andanger swept across the Valley to such an extent that itthought of nothing but suppression. In a bid to solve theproblem the Prime Minister said in a statement that therehad to be a dialogue to find a permanent and lastingsolution within the framework of the Constitution. However,the government has not come out with any new proposalregarding this. It has only repeated Vajpayee's phrase tohave a dialogue on the basis of Kashmiriyat, Jamhuriyatand Insaniyat. Also, it has declared to take an all-partydelegation to the valley. What would this delegation do?With whom would it meet? Or, would it be able to find anytype of solution to the Jammu-Kashmir problem? It isdifficult to say as yet.Who wants to keep the Problem Up? Having identified the history and origin of the problem, itis essential to understand who had been the elementsliable to keep the problem up and get it into the presentstate. We believe the following political forces have8 Nature Human centric concept

contributed to it in their own way. The political system in India: First of all, the blame lieswith the political system in India, whose outlook is basicallymajoritarian and biased towards all religious minorities andethnic communities. Its pro-rich policies and suppressiveways, particularly the method of human rights violations,have completely alienated the Kashmiris, though thegovernment had pledged in writing that full autonomy willbe granted to Jammu-Kashmir people. Today, the situationhas come to such a pass that the common man in Kashmirfelt himself neither free, nor safe and being intimidated inhis own land. The pro-independence groups in Kashmir: Secondly,liable are both factions of the Hurriyat Conference andmore or less all the pro-independence groups in Kashmir.Some of the prominent groups among them, with an aim toestablish Islamic state, caused immense harm to the multi-religious society of Kashmir, and the others who had nosuch aim, abandoned their declared belief of Kashmiriyatand facilitated driving away the non-Islamic groups out ofthe valley. Not only this, no group among them have anyshort term agenda for the solution of people’s day-to-dayproblems which are rising continuously. The political system in Pakistan: Thirdly, the politicalsystem in Pakistan has its share of blame too. It promotedSunni fundamentalism that created fissures not onlybetween different religious but also the ethnic groups. Withits pro-rich policies and suppressive ways it annexed andincorporated Gilgit-Baltistan, a part of the state, intoPakistan; came with a heavy hand on mass movements inits administrated Jammu-Kashmir; and surrendered Trans-Karakoram Tract, another part of the state, to China. Nature Human centric concept 9

(This paper was written for a Seminar held in Jammu on 04.09.2016; the basic formulations in it have been adopted from the writings of Com. R.P. Saraf, founder of the NHCPM.)What is the Solution to JK Problem?Some Suggestions for a Reasonable, viableans Rational Solution to itWhat should be the Agenda of JK ProblemConsidering the Situation in the World Today The reasonable and viable agenda of any object canonly be one that understands the fundamental reality of theworld and starts from it. And today the reality is that thepresent world is made up of such inter-dependentcountries that possess common interests in all type ofsocial needs. The most significant thing to be seenconcerning conflict anywhere in today’s world is that itsmilitary centric solution is becoming unfeasible too. Thereason being: Firstly, the unparalleled growth of intellectual as well asmutual physical exchange among various human commu-nities has given birth to such a process of globalizationthat has made this world as one unit both mentally andphysically. It has made countries inter-dependent. In suchan inter-dependent world, the security of the one countryis now depending on the security of its neighbours havinga common border. Also, the development of an inter-dependent country has now got linked with the economicgrowth and the broadening of democracy among itsneighbours. The same can be contemplated with regard toIndia, Pakistan and Jammu-Kashmir. Secondly, the existing corporate capitalist system hasbred an unusual environmental-human crisis. Under itspolicy of maximization of profit, it has encouraged themisuse and overuse of natural or environmental resources.The result is that such resources are fastly gettingexhausted. Not only this, human resources too aredepleting both mentally and physically because of socialevils like inequality, poverty, deprivation etc. This crisisdemands that all sorts of human conflicts be stopped soas to face the fatal challenge unitedly. To bring an end to10 Nature Human centric concept

the Jammu-Kashmir conflict is also a step forward to savenatural and human resources. Thirdly, all the corporate capitalist processes havedeveloped so much so as to cross the national boundariesand they have attained a global character in the presentworld. This has forced the corporate rulers too not to takerecourse to military adventures. The reason behind it istheir fear that it might not disturb the process of corporateprofit-maximizing. Thus, the phenomenon of militarysolution has become illogical even under the present war-prone corporate capitalist system. Fourthly, in the present world of inter-dependentcountries, the conventional theory of each nation statebeing completely sovereign does not hold true on thecriterion of reality. In a situation when each nation orcountry in many ways has been depending for its socialneeds on other nations or countries, or the vice versa, themeanings of sovereignty are bound to change. With socialneeds becoming common, the sovereignty of every nationor country has been getting restricted. In such a situation, the theory of self-determinationassociated with sovereignty, giving an inherent right toeach people having the characteristics of a common past,ethnicity, language, culture, territory and future aspirations,does not correspond with reality. All formulas concerningJammu-Kashmir conceived by the Unite Nations SecurityCouncil are based on the old theory of the sovereignty of anation state. Similarly, all the theories of self-determinationor independence having been raised in Kashmir hadsurfaced from the old theory of the right of self-determination to a given people.Certain Principles for Solving this Problem In the light of the facts mentioned above, a need arisesto look out for certain principles on which India, Pakistanand Jammu-Kashmir people may agree. By discussingthese, they can further sort out a reasonable, viable andrational solution to Jammu-Kashmir problem. In our viewthese principles may be: (1) Saying no to any type of military solution and insteadadopting a peaceful path; (2) Signing of a no-war pact between India and Pakistan; Nature Human centric concept 11

(3) Guaranteeing unity and integrity of each country; (4) Abandoning pre-conceived notions, such as Jammu-Kashmir as an “Atoot Ang” (integral part) of India or itbeing the “Shah Rug” (lifeline) of Pakistan; (5) Lessening the level of violence, stopping humiliationsand all human rights violations in Jammu-Kashmir; (6) Rejecting all communal solutions concerning Jammu-Kashmir; (7) Resolving Jammu-Kashmir problem by reconcilingthe interests of India, Pakistan and Jammu-Kashmir peopleand viewing a common future for them.What should be a Reasonable, Viable and RationalSolution to the Problem – Some Suggestions Evidently, the 70 year old Jammu-Kashmir tangle is aproblem among three parties. Its solution too can be foundthrough a dialogue between India, Pakistan and Jammu-Kashmir people. A solution that satisfies the urges of thethree parties involved and meets their interests. In ouropinion, a realistic, viable and rational solution to it can bereached by taking the following seven steps. These are: (1) For balancing the national aspirations and interests ofIndia and Pakistan, jointly entrusting them in theconstitutional form of Indo-Pak Condominium the threemost important subjects, i.e., defence, foreign affairs andcurrency, concerning Jammu-Kashmir. Condominium is not a new proposition. There have beensuch cases in the world even before. In fact, Condominiumis a territory over which multiple countries formally agree toshare equally and exercise their rights jointly, withoutdividing it up. Currently there are seven such territories inthe world. Out of these, Pheasant Island is being jointlymanaged by France and Spain; Lake Constance byAustria, Switzerland and Germany; a part of the ParanáRiver by Brazil and Paraguay; and, the Gulf of Fonseca byEl Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. There have been 29territories in the world that were Condominiums in the pastand proposal for making four territories has still been inprogress at various stages. There was once a proposal to make Hongkong aCondominium of China and Britain too but both thecountries decided in 1997 to return the island to the former12 Nature Human centric concept

in spite of the old political system continuing there. So, itcan also be a form for the federal set up. But it can bepossible only when it is acceptable to the people. (2) For meeting the regional aspirations and interests ofJammu-Kashmir people on the Indian side, this regionshould be made as an independent federal state which willdeal with all matters except defence, foreign affairs andcurrency. The said three subjects are to be handled byIndo-Pak Condominium. The Jammu-Kashmir federal stateshould have its own federal assembly to be elected by itssix regional zonal assemblies. The federal assembly shoulddeal with environmental problems, humanitarian issues andconstitutional-legal matters. Under it there should be sixself-ruled regional zones of Ladakh, Kargil, Kashmir Valley,Jammu Region, Poonch-Rajouri and Chenab Valley havingtheir own regional zonal assemblies. (3) For meeting the regional aspirations and interests ofJammu-Kashmir people on the Pakistan side, this regionshould be made as an independent federal state having itsown federal assembly elected by its two regional zonalassemblies. The federal assembly should deal withenvironmental problems, humanitarian issues andconstitutional legal matters. Under it there should be twoself-ruled regional zones of Pathwari speaking areas ofPoonch, Bhimber, Mirpur, etc., and Northern areas ofBalitistan and Gilgit. (5) Both India & Pakistan should commit that they wouldunite the two existing divided parts of Jammu-Kashmirunder the Joint Indo-Pak Condominium within 10 years. (6) The ethnic Kashmiri Pandit community should besettled in Kashmir valley and the entire settlement plan beput before the Pandit community for its approval. (7) The 1947 West Pakistan refugees’ 70 year olddemand should be met by recognizing them as permanentresidents of Jammu Region.All around Benefits of the above Proposal While meeting the aspirations and interests of the threeconcerned parties, the above formula further delivers tothem as well as the world community in many other ways. Firstly, it will establish peace in one of the mostdangerous flashpoints of the world. That serves the interest Nature Human centric concept 13

of the world community and thus suits it. Secondly, it will remove the obstructions to thedevelopment of South Asian common market. That willbenefit the people in this region. Thirdly, it will make the Indian, Pakistani and Jammu-Kashmir people equal partners in economic developmentand thus serve their interests. India and Pakistan willprovide an equal amount of finance in this development,while Jammu-Kashmir state will contribute its share in theform of natural resources. Moreover, Jammu-Kashmirpeople will get additional advantages and obtain the facilityof trading with them by virtue of their becoming the citizensof two countries. On the whole, the Indo-Pak Condominium will symbolizea social model that guarantees a common future for India,Pakistan and Jammu-Kashmir people; take care ofJammu-Kashmir as a trilateral question; createbrotherhood between India and Pakistan and reconciletheir national interests; harmonise the concerns of Jammu-Kashmir people with those of the Indian and the Pakistanipeople; give due consideration to the desires and theinterests of ethno-regional identities in Jammu-Kashmir;strive for bringing India, Pakistan and Jammu-Kashmirpeople closer together; strengthen the unity of SAARC; andconsolidate the state of peace and stability in the world. Itis a new experiment of global orientated developmentmodel that will show how the divergent national interests ofvarious nations be reconciled and the different aspirationsand concerns of various ethnicities be harmonized.It makes the Future Bright As the Indian, Pakistani and Jammu-Kashmir peoplehave the same root, a shared past, face similar problems atpresent, they will have a common future. Both India andPakistan should adopt a common future vision on all keyglobal issues, including Jammu-Kashmir. To tread commonpath, both the countries should delink themselves from allsorts of political alliances with all superpowers. Thegovernments of both the countries should get a freshmandate from their respective highest legislative bodies forcoordinating their foreign and defence policies in regard totwo divided parts of Jammu-Kashmir. The first Indo-Pak14 Nature Human centric concept

joint act concerning Jammu-Kashmir should be the signingof a no-war pact, along with the declaration that they willalso complete the adjoining task of destroying the wholestock of all types of nuclear weapons of the two sideswithin 6 months. The two parts of Jammu-Kashmir willhave open borders, with free movement of people andgoods of the two sides, keep constant mutual contact andhold joint conferences on their respective problems withina specified period. The future of South Asia depends on the building of astrong, well-knit and viable South Asian Association forRegional Cooperation (SAARC) which, during its 32 yearsof existence still remains a non-functional and dead-lockedentity. The main reason of its non-functioning or unviabilityrests with the ever going Indo-Pak contention andconfrontation over Jammu-Kashmir. With the reasonable,viable and rational solution of this problem, the future ofSouth Asia is bound to be bright and cheerful.(continued from page 24) In that manner we would have linked our theory with ourpractice in a better way and thus enriched both aspects of ourknowledge. That is my response to your calling the “conductingof research without practice is to put cart before the horse.” I am at a loss to understand labeling my writing by you as one“reflecting carrot and stick policy.” I think neither \"Nekneeyat”nor dogmatic is an insulting word or an abuse. \"Nekneeyat”simply means well meaning person and dogmatic means “kattar”or “hathdharmee” which is to consider a person as always,politically or socially, treading the path which has been pointedout by one’s leader. If you consider dogmatic as an insulting wordor an abuse, I have nothing more to say. Thanks. Nature Human centric concept 15

(This article is a slightly edited version of the original. When it was first circulated, I had personally askedsome friends to provide their comments.Accordingly, many of them expressed their honest opinion and a fewwent ahead with a strong criticism of it. Though I responded to them atlength but I believe some comrades might have been hurt by myinadvertently terming them as “well-intentioned comrades.” I feel sorryto have hurt them and therefore replacing it in the new version with theterm “trends” and change other terms accordingly.At the end is reproduced the criticism from two of the friends – onefrom Punjab, and the other from Jammu – on WhatsApp along with myresponse.) –Om P SarafUphold Scientific Realismin Practice tooOm Prakash SarafThe Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint as enunciated byCom. R.P. Saraf upholds the concept of not just realismbut Scientific Realism. Realism accepts things as theyreally are, without any interpretation. On the other hand,Scientific Realism stands to know processes in their truenature, to test the authenticity of its conclusions accordingto the rules of science (both natural and social) and to dealwith things as they actually exist. This concept of Scientific Realism needs to be reiteratedand reaffirmed at the moment since some trends have beenafter the passing away of Com. Saraf in June 2009repeatedly conveying that he had churned out such acomprehensive theory which is complete in itself. Therehave been frequent assertions that Com. Saraf had writtenmore or less on every subject worth the name and there isnow no scope to add anything new to this theory. Going toofar, these trends have been maintaining that no one amongany organisation has the caliber comparable to Com. Sarafand hence no further research could be conducted toevolve and update Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint. True, during the creation of Nature-Human Centric16 Nature Human centric concept

Viewpoint, Com. Saraf as an outstanding individual playedthe role of an ideological processing plant, while his teamsupplied the ideological raw material. Also, the conclusionsdrawn by him regarding nature and humankind on thebasis of his research, study and experience remain valideven today and have not shown any major qualitativechange. He highlighted the following five new points whiledifferentiating his viewpoint from other such approaches. First, change and development in human society occursdue to two factors of nature and human community.Second, the social change and development takes placethrough interaction between nature and human society, onthe one hand, and that among human social units insociety, on the other; this interaction is a two-sidedmotion—that of unity and struggle; the unity results in thecombining of the given phenomena, while struggle leads toits division; both the motions constitute an indivisiblewhole with each of them occupying the primary position atone time while the other remaining in the secondary roleand vice-versa. Third, a human being or human communityhas a bio-social character in contrast to the existing viewsthat human nature is either biological or social. Fourth,humankind, having been a product of nature’s evolutionaryprocess, is not the supreme phenomenon in the universe;other non-human phenomena on our earth have its ownlaws of development; humankind only interacts with othernon-human things, sometimes in the primary and at othertimes in the secondary position. Fifth, there is nothingabsolute in the universe; everything is under constantchange; it is relevant only to a given time and space. But since various phenomena in nature and humankindhave been undergoing constant changes, though generallyquantitative, those therefore need to be keenly studied andrecorded. Let us put to test the contention of these trends on thecriterion of Scientific Realism which we follow as ourconcept on change and development. 1 Scientific Realism observes and studies the present orthe past phenomena in their actuality. In doing so, it makesuse of natural facts made available by natural science and Nature Human centric concept 17

social facts provided by man’s historical and socialexperience. Being aware of the reality that the contemporary as wellas earlier phenomena can be examined and analyzed as itis or as it was, we are committed to keep our eyes and earsopen to actuality. It is also to be noted that this study hasto be based on natural and social facts which keep onchanging and growing like any other phenomenonundergoing movement and change. To study and recordnew facts, one has to explore these phenomena at all timescontinuously. It is, therefore, wrong to presume that a viewpointexpressed by a personality, however eminent it may be,would be complete in itself. Same is true of the Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint which with the passage of timecan grow and develop only on the basis of new facts. 2 Further, Scientific Realism contemplates every kind ofnatural and human phenomena in the universe as inter-connected and interactive. It also regards that thesephenomena follow, in varying forms, the same principles ofexistence, movement and change. According to thisconcept, the nature is a general process which embracesin itself a number of never-ending specific processes,including that of human species. All these processes existin different forms. Since this concept considers humansociety as a process whose mode of existence isbiological, but whose mode of living and functioning issocial, it visualizes human being’s nature as bio-social. In other words, we can say various things or processes inthe universe are in constant motion. The universe thus nevergets tired and does not go on “holidays\". The movement inthings or processes is actually the mode of their existence.To be means to be in movement. The said processes act indistinctive manner respectively and follow a two-sidedinteraction (both internal and external) between two or moreobjects. This interaction takes place sometimes through themotion of unity and sometimes through that of struggle. For example, the billions of stars that seem motionlessto our naked eye are moving at colossal speeds. Every staris a sun with its own ring of planets following interaction18 Nature Human centric concept

within itself and outside with other stars. The stars and thesatellites circling round them also revolve on their own axisand participate in the turning of the whole galaxy around itsaxis. Our galaxy moves in relation to other galaxies–sometimes moving in unity and sometimes in struggle withthem. And there is no end to these courses of the universalround about. In this way, the universe is integrating anddisintegrating. It never attains ultimate perfection. And during the course of time this interaction, whereeither accord or discord prevails, leads to constant partialchanges in quantity and quality of the said processes. As aresult, there comes a decisive point, when every oldprocess (having its specific characteristics) transformsitself into a new process (with its particular features). At thisjuncture both processes begin to have their differentnatures. This ever-going process of change & developmentoccurs in every phenomenon including human society. Being a unit of nature, human species too follow thesame principles of existence, movement and change. Thesame is true of human thought which during its existenceundergoes movement and transformation. The humanthought too has been in constant motion. It has beenassimilating new ideas and shunning the old ones orabsorbing the proved and discarding the disproved ones,thus advancing it on newer heights. Even the Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint evolved atsuch a time when it had been becoming increasingly clearthat Marxism was one-sided and the explanation of realityand its various processes as made by it was neither‘scientific truth’ as claimed by its followers nor a‘falsehood’ as advocated by their adversaries. We had toaccept that Marxism had become irrelevant but there wasno other way out except to come to terms with realitywhich always demanded the rejection of dogmas,judgment of things on the basis of evidence and reviewingof all such concepts which begin to conflict with new factsand experiences. Similar is the case with Nature-Human Centric View-point. It should not be considered as a dogma. If at a laterjuncture, during further research or human social practicecertain of its concepts conflict with new facts andexperiences, then we should not be afraid of judging things Nature Human centric concept 19

on the basis of evidence and reviewing all such concepts. 3 Furthermore, Scientific Realism maintains that every-thing in the universe exists within the bounds of a givenspace and time. In other words, it means its existence anddevelopment is relevant to a given situation. The concept of space and time can be understood likethis: All things in the universe are variously placed inrelation to each other and constitute parts of one oranother phenomenon. Space is a form of organization ofcoexisting objects where they are extra-posed alongside,beside, beneath, above, within, behind or in front, etc. toone another and have certain harmonious or conflictingrelationships. All things or phenomena are characterised bytheir duration, the sequence of the stages of their motion,their development. The dimension of time can bemeasured only with the help of certain standards (inseconds, minutes, hours, days, years, centuries, etc.). Theperception of time also allows us to assess the sequenceand duration of events. So we can say every phenomenon and its related lawspertain to a particular place and time. Accordingly, eachone of them undergoes evolutionary changes in itself andits interacting phenomena, and becomes non-relevant toanother given time and space. In other words, everything inthe universe has a relative nature. Similarly, every theory or ideology associated with anoutstanding personality, how much eminent he or she maybe, has been the outcome of a given situation and a giventime. And as the situation tends to change, a theory or anideology too begins to change gradually and a need arisesto develop it further. This is true of Nature-Human CentricViewpoint as it too has a relative nature. 4 Still further, Scientific Realism upholds that as the realityhas been changing continuously, its countless phenomena& their respective laws go on evolving and updating them-selves all the time in correspondence with new changes. Obviously, reality is never eternal. It tends towardschange at all times. There is always a change taking place20 Nature Human centric concept

in each thing, each process of nature. Social processes tootread similar path. A transformation goes on continuouslyinside and outside the human being. In such a way, howcan a viewpoint remain immune to these changes? Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint has not fallen from theskies. It too has emerged from the human society.Undoubtedly, if it did not adapt itself in conformity with thenew changes, it can neither evolve, not update itself. 5 Still furthermore, Scientific Realism rejects all theabsolutist, determinist and fundamentalist theories, whichhad either been projected by different branches of naturalor social sciences, or some other disciplines but it makesuse of, whatever positive, these outlooks had impartedduring their respective times. These theories are renounced as they are one-sided andsee only side of a phenomenon. Similarly the contentionthat Com. Saraf has put forward a comprehensive theorycomplete in every respect is unacceptable because it hasone-sided bias too. This contention virtually places theoryand practice in separate compartments, while in humanthought both are two sides of a single phenomenon, witheach of them occupying the primary position at one timeand the other in the secondary role and vice-versa. Not only this, while maintaining that no one among theorganisation has the caliber to conduct further research soas to evolve and update Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint,it confines the role of the organisation, that too in Com.Saraf’s absence, merely to practice and not to sum up itsexperiences and thus enrich theory in turn. Conscious persons in an organisation are not like holypreachers who preach the gospel truth. They are similar toscientists who do research in their field, collect facts,analyze them, conceptualize their thinking, come out withtheir formulations and put them into practice throughvarious initiatives and activities in interaction with theircontemporaries, within and without. 6 In the end, I would say that even Com. Saraf had neverclaimed the Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint as the one Nature Human centric concept 21

offering a genuine and authentic account of everyphenomenon. Everywhere, he has presented it as a modelwhich may be useful in thought and practice. There was noplace of dogmatism in his scientific-rational basedthinking. He had always taken the stand that phenomenamust be tested on the basis of evidence. His outlookalways had been that whenever new facts and newevidence regarding a phenomenon would surface, he waswilling to review that. He practiced it till his last breath.These trends are, therefore, requested to review theiropinion in a scientific way and hence uphold ScientificRealism in practice too. 19.08.2016 Two Criticisms and My ResponseA friend from Punjab on 23.08.16 As we are working in Punjab on Kisan front as per our level ofunderstanding of NHC Vision. Without allegations on others youare required to practice the NHC Vision. It will (be the) bestservice of the world people.My response on 23.08.16 With due respect to each and every comrade, I would like toassure you that I have not leveled any allegation againstanybody. It is just a discussion and I value all of your advice andsuggestions. It would be better if we discuss things coollywithout going into any personal polemics. However, I have alsotalked about practice in the above-mentioned article – that is toUphold Scientific Realism in Practice. And the Nature-HumanCentric Viewpoint upholds the concept of Scientific Realism.A friend from Jammu on 23.08.16 There is no second opinion that Scientific Realism is a realmode of thinking, understanding and analyzing any process. Ithas been proved in Natural science as well as Social Science.For example, (on Science front) … Newton’s laws … Einstein'sTheory of Relativity … Higgs-Boson and gravitational wave; OnSocial front, theory of surplus value and exploitation of workersby Karl Marx. In seventh decade of 20th C welfare schemes ofEuropean or Capitalists and in ninth decade high automation with22 Nature Human centric concept

less workers gave more profit or high surplus value. Before 1970,any attempt to review Marx was a futile exercise but in 21st C, itis listened by all. Similarly to work as model to change the sociology of peoplefrom money-cum-power centric to pro-Nature and pro-Humancan be the best method to understand and enrich theory forfurther practice. To conduct research without practice is to putcart before the horse. Moreover, the writing reflects carrot andstick policy, i.e., calling one as \"Nekneeyat” on the one hand, anddogmatic, on the other. When one's Scientific Realism (may bedefective) is stamped as ---- the spirit of people’s movement iskilled by party-outlook.My response on 25.08.16 and 26.08.16 Before we proceed I would like to clear one thing about myselfand my practice, so that it does not become the focus of ourdiscussion. I withdrew from active political life even before theadvent of Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint. But that does notmean I had been out of touch with reality. I continued to keenlyfollow most of the developments taking place in natural andsocio-political spheres in the world. I mainly supported all theformulations of NHCPM, though not formally in its ranks. Even Ihad helped my earlier comrades whenever the need arose. Laterat a point some problem arose which was not resolved properly, Iam not alone liable to be blamed for that. It should be clear thatnot to pursue an active political life does not debar anyone torespond to socio-political phenomena. If at another time someonewants to take part in some activity, he should be encouraged. Now as regards your response, you have rightly repeated apart of the history of Scientific Realism to show that it is reallyapplicable in social development. I also agree with you thatwithout practice no theory gets enriched. Let me complete thecircle of this process by adding that theory puts itself intopractice through various initiatives and activities, and establishesits validity through practice. But, what should one do to enrich one’s theory in practice?Should it always be practice, practice and practice? You havesuggested nothing regarding this. But to me it has two ways. First, in regular course of time one should review one’spractice to ascertain whether the path of social process takenhas been going in the right direction. The methods of work notmatching with reality should be discarded and those yielding Nature Human centric concept 23

good results should be developed. Second, it is not only you who have been practicing to knowand develop a process, natural or social. Many more people indifferent parts of the world are engaged in doing so. It isnecessary to learn from them, their negative or positive aspects.These things can be learnt only by doing research on them. In this way, theory and practice are not isolated from eachother. They are two parts of one single phenomenon calledknowledge. They cannot be separated from each other. In therelation between a theory and its practice, each, in turn, play itsmain role. When the theory develops a practice, it constitutes themain aspect of knowledge, and the moment the practiceenriches theory, it acquires the first position. Thus, both theoryand practice form the basis of knowledge, whether natural orsocial and whether theoretical or practical. In other words, theory and practice cannot be compartment-alized. They go hand in hand, each holding principal position inturn. While holding a demonstration or discussing a thing in ameeting, one is practicing one’s theory and when demonstrationachieves or does not achieve its aim or meeting takes a decision,the vice-versa takes place, that is, one adopts developedmethods of work or theory. In this way the theory takes practiceforward and the practice develops the theory. I think, the theory of Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint beganto take shape during the middle of 1990s and established itselfat the Hanumangarh Conference at the end of December 2002.It has been in existence and being practiced for about 14 yearsnow – more than six years of Com. Saraf’s life time and morethan seven years after his death. May I dare to ask the question:whether we have reviewed it at a wider level? What negative andpositive points have we drawn from this review? Have we goneinto this practice? That was one way we should have enrichedthe theory of Nature-Human Centric Viewpoint. Again, may I dare to ask another question: whether we havecompared our theory with other social theories and what have welearnt from negative or positive aspects of the other peopleengaged in practicing to know and develop natural or socialprocesses in different parts of the world? Have we ever summedup their theory and practice? Have we gone into this practice?And that was another way we should have enriched the theory ofNature-Human Centric Viewpoint. (continued on page 15)24 Nature Human centric concept