Skip to main content

Final battle lines are drawn: Why many Catalonians believe that staying with Spain anymore is counter-productive

By Sadhan Mukherjee*
The final battle lines appear to have been drawn between Catalonian independence and Spain’s resistance to it. The Catalonian regional parliament has opted for independence while the Spanish Republic has indicated that it will oppose Catalonian secession by all might.
The Spanish government is attempting to negate the Catalonian choice by trying to hold an election in Catalonia hoping for a people’s verdict against Catalonia’s session. Already the Spanish government is planning to seize control of Catalonia.
But this appears to be an uphill task as many Catalonians believe that staying with Spain anymore is counter-productive. The point is will Spain go for other means if the election verdict, if not boycotted by Catalonian people, will give a verdict in favour of Spain. It presumes that the people of Catalonia think differently than their own legislators.
In any case, this confrontation shows the degree of disillusion of Catalonian people with Spain in its 40-year history. Direct control of Catalonia means that the Spanish prime minister Martiano Rajoy will be able to sack the Catalonian regional government headed by Carles Puiugdemont, and assume control of Catalonian civil service, police, finances and public media.
This will effectively render the Rajoy government functus officio. This step is authorised by article 155 of the Spanish Constitution and is invoked for the first time.
Spain has also effectively isolated the Catalonian government as the European Union, UK, Germany and the United States have backed Spain and opposed Catalonian independence move.
What the Catalonian government will do now is the moot question: Succumb or continue the fight for independence. The next few days will indicate which way the wind blows. One can only hope there will be no blood-shed as both sides seemed determined to to stick on their positions.
---
*Veteran journalist

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING

The making of a self-made woman: How eighty sheep changed everything for Kalawati Ninama

By Vikas Meshram*  About forty-two kilometres from Rajasthan's Banswara district, in the tribal heartland of Ghatol block, lies the small village of Ubapana. This is where Kalawati Ninama, her husband Dhulji, and their four children make their home. Their days unfold much like those of their neighbours—bustling mornings, long hours of farm labour through the afternoon, and evenings spent tending livestock. For this family, farming and livestock were once simply a means of putting food on the table. Today, they have become the sturdy foundation of something far greater: genuine self-sufficiency.
Post a Comment
»

India has spent billions on skilling. Where are the jobs?

By Vikas Gupta   India loves the photograph of a certificate ceremony. A minister on a stage. A banner bearing the word “skill.” Young people holding folders that promise a future. It is a reassuring image because it tells us the problem has a manageable answer: train the young, make them job-ready, and work will follow.
Post a Comment
»

BAPS, the Eiffel Tower and the curious silence on secularism

By Rajiv Shah   I was a little surprised to see how some of those whom I respect for taking a firm stand on patriarchal issues reacted to the manner in which they responded to the recent incident in Paris, in which women employees of the Eiffel Tower were asked to remain "invisible" on September 5 when 100 BAPS sadhus visited one of the world's top tourist destinations.
3 comments
»