In his 10 years when holding the second-highest Constitutional office in the land Mohd. Hamid Ansari did not really create an impression of  being a national figure: perhaps because, unlike some others, he viewed his role as a Presiding Officer in Parliament as one of a referee rather than a player. Yet those years give him an eagle-eye perspective on the way the nation was moving, and enhanced the skills developed over four decades of diplomatic activity.

However, after being liberated from the constraints of office he has rapidly established himself as a voice of sanity in an “overcharged” (politically, emotionally and religiously), divisive, public debate. No doubt that his recent assertions are causing heartburn in some circles, but that only emphasises the small-mindedness of some of those currently wielding authority.

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For in his new book ‘Dare I Question”, his speech at its formal release, and a subsequent interview to a respected contemporary, Ansari’s theme is not a political tirade but a lament on the dissipation of values enshrined in the Constitution ~ values which had actually pre-dated the formulation and adoption of that cherished statute to which all Indians must strive to adhere, and to pay more than mere lip-service to that erudite blueprint for modern India.

Those who salivate over prospects of yet another “kiss and tell tale” which politicians churn out so regularly would be disappointed, but Ansari has risen above sensationalism that actuates the cash  registers. He stressed,that he is concerned about three elements of the current debate ~ the principles of the ideological foundations of India, the condition of the institutional structure put  in place by the Constitution, and the implications of these for democracy.

“Our electoral democracy if a success story but it has not transformed itself into a substantive, inclusive and participatory democracy. There is apprehension that it could metamorphose itself into an illiberal, ethnic democracy based on the principles of a socio-political philosophy called Hindutva, whose core concepts circumscribe the ambit of citizenship”. He proceeded to assert “secularism in the Indian context means symmetric political treatment of different religious communities, defence of minority rights and prevention of bigotry”.

Unlike lesser lights of the minority leadership, be it Muslim or Christian, the former Vice-President did not descend into “BJP-bashing”: yet the lofty level of his critique would surely prove painful to those who see polarisation as a legitimate political and electoral ploy. With polls in the offing there is dire need for leadership of Ansari’s quality among the minorities ~ as distinct from a range of rabble-rousers. Whether he will condescend to get “his  hands dirty” playing the vote-garnering game is a question one may “dare to ask”, but is difficult to answer. Yet, regardless of who wins or loses in 2019, Ansari has made his point.