While the people of India were glued to their TV sets on the 23rd, nobody noticed an Old Book, watching the results fearfully, and finally as the last vote was counted, the book which was the Constitution of India smiled. “I was afraid!” said the old book, sighing with happiness.

“Why?” asked the constitutions of all the surrounding countries, “Why were you afraid?”

“I was afraid that any one party or parties grouped together would get a two-thirds majority, because if they had, they would have come and started tearing me up or deleting lines and putting in their own! Now they have to do everything, within the limits of what I the Constitution say!”

“Well we are not afraid of that during our elections,” said Sri Lanka cocking a snook at the Indian constitution.

“There’s nothing for you to be afraid,” said the Indian book, “because there’s nothing more that can be damaged in you!”

“What do you mean?” asked the Book from the little island angrily.

“You are not secular are you? Whereas  my makers made me secular!”

“And what does that mean?” asked the Pakistan constitution.

“It means,” said the Indian Constitution proudly, “That apart from the constitutions of Europe and America, I am the only country in Asia where all men and women are equal, be they Hindus, Muslims, Christians or any other religion!”

“I don’t see inequality in my country!” mumbled the Book from Sri Lanka.

“Can anyone other than a Buddhist stand for your country’s topmost post? Can a non-Buddhist become your president?”

The other countries watched as Sri Lanka put down its head in shame.

“And they could have changed this wonderful secularity, if any party had got a two -thirds majority?” asked a country north of India.

“Yes,” said the Old Book, “When the British left our shores, I wondered what sort of book they would make out of me. Would I give equality to only one section of the people? Would others be made to feel small and think they were secondary citizens? And when they finally showed me to the people of India, I cried with joy, to see all in the nation realizing, that through me, they were all equal!”

“It must have been a nerve-racking day, watching that day’s results!” said the American constitution from afar.

“As tough a day as 1787, when you were written!” smiled the Indian book.

“Yes,” said the American Constitution, “I am old, but because of me my land has become the greatest in the world. Many have tried to tamper with me, but I have stood firm!”

“And I hope and pray, that after this election, and the ones after, no one will play with me!” said the Old book, “Today I am happy for the people of India!”

And our Constitution smiled..! 

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