According to him, a workable federal system cannot be laid down overnight and with a single masterstroke but it takes lots of research and discussion, and the system should go on adjusting itself as per the new circumstances and challenges over the years.
“Yours is a new experience. It is going to take time to come to fruition,” said the former vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi, while sharing his country´s experiment with federalism at the program attended by CA members, academicians, researchers, politicians and journalists.
Prof Hasan, who has penned a number of books on history and politics, was of the view that each country´s federalism should be guided by its own history, circumstances and ground realities, but he did not subscribe to the idea of federalism based on ethnicity. Citing examples of former communist states including Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, he said federalism based on ethnicity and religion may invite conflicts.
UCPN-Maoist and CPN-UML have proposed federalism along ethnic lines.
Giving the example of Indian federalism, he highlighted the importance of language for the delineation of federal provinces. But he added that each country should work on its own realities.
Prof Hasan also dismissed fears that federalism can be a divisive force. He said Motilal Nehru report, prepared as early as 1928, shows fears and anxieties that federalism could lead to, but the system worked well in India. He argued that Indian federalism was an invention of the Indian people and separatist activities in Kashmir and northeast India are just aberrations.
According to Hasan, federal system in its initial stage should have a relatively strong center, tolerant and capable enough to deliver and delegate powers to the federal units gradually.
The Indian historian was invited by Embassy of India and BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation for a lecture on “Evolution of Federalism in India”.
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