Our Constitution

From Our Archives – A Glimpse into 1961

Editorial

What is going to be our next constitution? The Mauritius Labour Party has made it clear that it wants independence: this has of course to be elaborated upon and the whole thing has to be clarified so that the people may know exactly what the Labour Party has in mind. Recently, La Vie Catholique initiated a discussion on Independence but unfortunately it ended up in the publication of a revised edition of the insanities which the Independent Bloc publishes every now and then and two short apologetic notes by the Presidents of the Parti Mauricien and the Labour Party. So far it therefore seems that the public knows little about the actual shape our next constitution will take— apart of course from bits of unofficial information which are let out at public meetings.

It is certainly unwise to anticipate anything at this stage: it is preferable to wait till each political party has made known its definite proposals. However, we are disturbed by a very serious question. Till when are we going to work with the present highly unsatisfactory constitution? Probably our Ministers are aware of the very difficult situation in which the present half-way-house system is putting them, but is the public aware? Do we all realize the harm the present system is doing to the Labour Party? In public, the Opposition is dinning it into the ears of the people that Ministers have unfettered and unlimited power and that Ministers are responsible for everything. But this is not true and the Labour Party is made to lose ground because of decisions for which it is not absolutely responsible.

Does any day pass when we do not have to ascertain where the Ministers’ power starts and where it ends? As soon as something goes wrong, it immediately becomes the responsibility of the Minister but as soon as something good is done it’s the clerk who gets the credit! We must get rid of the present system as soon as possible or else we shall endanger the future of parliamentary democracy in Mauritius. The alternative to a Labour Government in Mauritius will be a coalition government of Parti Mauricien and the IFB. What a mess all this will be is anyone’s guess. That’s why we maintain that Mr Macleod should make up his mind as early as possible. As a responsible and successful statesman, he must realize that our Ministers cannot be made to carry the can any longer.

As a first step we would suggest that all ministries should be integrated before the London talks in June. By the way, what or who is delaying the integration of the remaining loose ministries? What is preventing the integration of the Ministry of Agriculture, for example? And as soon as the integration of ministries is completed, the Labour Party and the Comité d’Action should be given a completely free hand in running this country. Nothing less would be acceptable and if this is not accepted let us walk out. We have now come to know that it is less cumbersome and far easier to be in Opposition. It is dangerous to be saddled with irresponsible responsibility.

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The Departure of a Missionary

After more than a three years’ stay in our midst Swami Dhruvanand has left Mauritius for India. During his stay he managed to unify the rival factions of the Arya Samaj movement. That was not an easy task since the great work of the late Swami Swatantranand was undone by some self-centred individuals. Because Swami Dhruvanand ji succeeded in his mission, he incurred the wrath of some people who for one reason or another do not like to see the Arya Samaj unified.

The Arya Samaj is a dynamic force in the Hindu Community. In the social, educational and religious fields, the Arya Samaj has done yeoman’s service. It is the only institution of its kind which is linked with great institutions of India. It draws inspiration from them and is helped by them. Missionaries are sent from these institutions. The Sarvadeshik Sabha, with which the Arya Sabha of Mauritius is linked, had sent Swami Dhruvanand.

Swami Dhruvanand is a man of iron will. Though very old, he still retains all the vigour of youth. A great disciplinarian, he always complained that many Hindus of Mauritius are not time conscious, that they don’t stick to what they started.

Besides the reawakening which Swamiji has brought in the Arya Samaj movement, he has almost wiped out the tension which existed between the Arya Samajists and the non-Arya Samajists. His sermons which were indeed very forceful were free from sectarianism. That made him equally popular among the Sanatanists.

To the correspondent of Nav Jeevan who inquired about his secret of success he said that devotion to duty, and faith in God, were the two wheels of the chariot on which he confidently moved forward. He never felt tired serving the public and in such work he found great solace.

Asked what message he would like to give to the Mauritians he said: “If self-interest were relinquished for community interest and if the spirit of duty first, right next could be made to prevail, then Mauritius would become an ideal place to live in.” Swami Dhruvanand will be one of the Vedic preachers who will be remembered by future generations. He has left the imprint of his strong character, of his determination to do or die in the minds of his followers.

Now that he is not here his absence will be greatly felt by the thousands of his followers who adored him. Those who opposed him should feel sorry for the grievous harm they have done him.

8th Year – No 335
Friday 3rd February 1961

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 8 May 2026