“We the people” seem to be losing the battle of enjoying our democracy in freedom to go by the rules and not the rulers who do not serve with transparency and accountability. The Constitution of India as we know it, which defines us a Sovereign Secular Socialist Democratic Republic, on which elected representatives take an oath to uphold, is under threat. This was a covenant made by our wise founding fathers encompassing all religions, all castes, all languages, and all ideologies so that we all could live as one family in tolerance with unity in diversity. Only then can we preach“ vasudhaiva kutumbakum”? We proudly proclaim “India the mother of Democracy”. Today’s optics and setting of the visionary narrative is important, but it is equally important not to be blown away by it! We are the fastest growing economy in the world, our PM image as one of powerful international politician now chairing the G-20 nations at the UNO, intending to soon become one of the most powerful nations in the world! The government says it is cleaning up endemic corruption starting with demonetization, eliminating the section of society that have stunted India’s growth for their own benefit, classified as anti-national, urban naxals, tukde tukde gang etc. Foreign forces want to prevent the India growth story, along with the foreign press spreading viscous rumours and they must be dealt with an iron hand. Any criticism or different narrative from any quarters is to be ridiculed and rejected outright by every means possible, a law unto themselves.
The latest example is a BBC documentary “India, The Modi Question”. Because I saw it I couldn’t understand why heated discussions condemning it as fake news and propaganda by some people who admittedly never even saw the documentary, a narration of events which actually happened. We who lived through the times and have experienced it all live in the media, discussions and court cases saw or learned nothing new. The fact the Supreme Court exonerated Modi was brought out in the documentary itself together with opinions by BJP stalwarts Subramanium Swamy and Swapan Das Gupta throughout! It was pure censorship when students were barred from seeing it and most Indian media blared sinister timing, insult to judiciary and Parliament. The government went all guns blazing to discredit BBC with Britain, America and Russia diplomatically joining the bandwagon! The Supreme Court declined to ban it. Then income tax raids on the Indian offices of the BBC happened. This obvious reported fact by the foreign press is considered part of anti Indian propaganda! Nobody is entitled to have own independent opinion.
Courts judgments are based on reports by a SIT, government affidavit or police investigation. My last O Heraldo article elucidated how strong judicial intervention for urgent police reforms was the people’s crying need. State police vigilantes’ nexus is terrifying! The atmosphere in the country is vitiated by a strong executive trying to overpower the judiciary which has to rely on these reports and affidavits submitted by the government. It all boils down to telling the truth, uncensored information and nothing to hide. Right to know cannot always be denied under guise of sovereignty and national security. In the world’s largest democracy elections must remain free and fair, not becoming meaningless with selfish winnable candidates, majority supporting those with criminal backgrounds or whatever religion, caste or greed dictate! The caliber of the entire democratic Indian electorate is on test.
The Adani FPO which took a hammering on the stock exchanges on the allegations of fraud by Hindenburg Research, Bilkis Banu Gujarat rape victim living in fear, the many deaths during Covid with bodies floating in the Ganga, migrant exodus, the Morbi bridge and Joshimath tragedies, farmers agitation, persecution of the likes of Fr Stan Swamy etc, rendered frightening trauma and many families lives shattered due no fault of theirs! The government proudly proclaims the law is the same for all! Acche Din is behind us and now come Amrut Kaal! The government’s healing actions follow the pattern of expressing remorse, some monetary compensation, enquiry ordered, nobody in government deemed responsible and a few scapegoats may be punished, occasionally culprits even finally rewarded. The same attitude on pothole deaths, municipal negligence costing so many lives and tragedies with culprits escaping justice whilst the fallout millions of victims helplessly shattered! Becoming an economic super power carving a Hindurashtra at what cost?
The pain and trauma of people’s suffering in the world are horrendous and pathetic after the earth quakes in Turkey and Syria, the fallout of the Ukranian war, and the inhumanity seen in the world where enlightened powerful modern nations are more interested in lucrative financial deals and arms race than putting an end to war and utilizing the earth’s resources for the happiness and welfare of all nations to live in peace. Pandemics, climate change, earth quakes, internal conflicts threaten us! India is now coming into the forefront as Vishwaguru which implies somebody superior guiding the comity of nations into a better and safer morally superior world! Inclusive growth can only come if all people can live in social harmony, true democracy ensured by a fearless judiciary and independent Press and enforcement/regulatory agencies ensuring fair play and justice where humanity and dignity of every individual matters! Is it so in India?
(The author is a retired naval officer, freelance writer residing in Porvorim)
