Open Forum

New Delhi, 3 January 2024 

Mimicry & Politics

REAL ISSUES GET ECLIPSED

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

Mimicry and sarcasm in various forms has become a part and parcel of Indian politics, specially in recent times. Sarcasm over something said which goes against societal norms may not be considered offensive and can be taken with a pinch of salt. But certain types of mockery that is seen today is quite nasty in nature and is unacceptable in an educated and civilised society. But can the country claim to be educated and polished? 

Mention may be made of instances of the powerful flinging mockery down at the powerless, men taking pot shots at women, the savarna rich laughing at people from lower castes or with less money, the mainstream sneering at marginalised groups, the English medium educated babus imitating those who don’t speak the language as well or at their pronunciation, etc. Even references criticising others’ religious sentiments and habits can be viewed as in poor taste. 

The recent controversy triggered during the winter session of Parliament with TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar outside the House did hit headlines alright, and at the same time raised questions over the correctness of the latter’s reaction. The chairman’s reference to his caste and the farming community in the context of the mimicry had responses from Opposition leaders that he was going overboard, and hell bent on engaging in a kind of politicking that is not in tune with the office he holds. 

The impression created that the Opposition combine, INDIA bloc, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who filmed the mimicry, insulted the Jats was blown out of context.  The Chairman, many said should not have brought in caste or class factor when the chair he occupies is what must matter. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for one, rightly asked whether he should also blame BPJ MPs for not letting him speak in the House because he is a “Dalit”? Some even recalled Prime Minister Modi’s caustic, and rather distasteful, “Didi o Didi” remark against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.  

The Opposition rightly pointed out that the entire Modi ecosystem was galvanised on the so-called mimicry non-issue, while it remained silent on the real issue of security lapse in Parliament and why and how a BJP MP from Mysuru facilitated entry of two intruders into Lok Sabha on December 13th (who are now charged under the anti-terror law UAPA.) 

Ironically, the Chairman’s emotional weapon that the mimicry was an insult to the Jats would be viewed as blunted given that the government itself showed little concern for the community. Olympic medallist, Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling in protest against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s continuing dominance over the wrestling federation. Even Bajrang Punia, another wrestler of international repute, who too is a Jat, returned his Padma Shri over the episode. 

The present type of mimicry witnessed nowadays by politicians, particularly during the election season is distasteful, and needs to be curtailed. Unfortunately, resorting to sarcasm or mimicry is increasingly getting cheers from the crowds, the uneducated masses and the politicians revelling in it. The moderate section of the BJP, say someone like Atal Behari Vajpayee may have eschewed the mode due to his elegant outlook and concern for ethics in politics and society.  

Living as we currently are in a mimicry of democracy with a mimicry of hollowed out checks and balances, with not even a pretence of a free media in existence across most of the country, perhaps the only choice we have is to keep enacting sharply revealing mimicries. It is indeed distressing to note that the sarcasm being inflicted on us by the ruling elite has perhaps no parallels. More so because of its tall claims of governance, democratic plurality, judicious approach and secular attitude.   

The low levels of political discourse that are manifest nowadays is a cause for concern. Apart from indiscriminate violence in some states, there is also a tendency to buy voters which indeed calls for a ‘mockery of democracy’. All talks of democratic plurality, decent criticism have no meaning, as politics has turned nasty and even educated political personalities have to change their stand and follow the party discourse.  

For political culture to develop there is a genuine need for educated and dedicated personalities. An example could be of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has the vision and capacity to take prompt decisions and is interested in serving the masses. The state is a classic case which has been transformed from a food deficit one to a food surplus state with its economy growing over 18 times in a little over two decades from around Rs 47,000 crore in 2001-02 to Rs 8.6 lakh crore in 2022-23. Moreover, it may be pointed out that the Eastern region’s educational hub has shifted from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar. 

How has this been accomplished? Perhaps, he brags less than his counterpart in West Bengal, who too has penchant of indulging in mimicry against rival BJP and humouring the masses. But such political manoeuvres may not last long as awareness is growing, and people want results. Political change is necessary, and this can come about if there is professional ethics among party cadres. Moreover, fanaticism by the political establishment that they preach to gain false popularity among the uneducated masses must come to an end. The Election Commission has a major role to play by ensuring poll campaigns must adhere to basic norms.   

Indian politics has reached a vicious stage where the situation is making the voter feel useless and small. There is little bondage amongst the community and animosity, narrow-mindedness and jealousy in society is dangerously rising. Our struggle today cannot be limited to one political party or its affiliates. The question is whether a change in government may make a fundamental difference and offer hope of the country being a robust democracy or following egalitarian and inclusive principles.

 Political transformation is called for and this can be accomplished by leaders who qualified, sincere, honest and earn the confidence of the aam janata. Mimicry, as is being indulged in can evoke a few laughs alright but it can’t hide reality that the government must perform and serve the people. The polity must remember Abraham Lincoln’s famous words: ‘You can fool all people some of the time and some people all the time. But you can never fool all people all the time.’---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Political Diary

New Delhi, 2 January 2024

India 2024

CHALLENGES AHEAD

By Poonam I Kaushish 

Every time one tears a leaf off a calendar one sees a new place for new ideas and progress. So should one uncork champagne and roll out drums? By welcoming 2024 on wings of new hopes and promises? As 2023 goes go down in history as une année charnière, a tumultuous year, a mixed bag, India steps into 2024 with cautious hope as new set of challenges confront it.    

Politically, this year will see the world’s largest democratic exercise of general elections being held. A testament to roots that democracy has sunk in the country where less than 8 decades ago only quarter of people were eligible to vote and literacy levels in large swathes didn’t cross double digits. A ringing endorsement of our democratic ethos.  

Politically, if BJP’s Modi wins a third successive five-year Prime Ministerial term, he will be the first leader to do so since Congress’s Nehru. NaMo, as is his wont, drew a wide arc that seeks to encompass “550 years virasat with vikas, adhunikta with parampara where Viksit Bharat get Nayi Urja drawing upon aastha and Digital India synergies,” in ‘New Ayodhya’ readied for Lord Ram’s consecration 22 January.  

Alongside, using “labharthi” to reconstitute citizenship bringing under it farmers, poor, youth, women calling them the four biggest castes, “saanjhi taakat” of targeted welfare schemes, fulfillment of “Modi’s  guarantees,” infrastructure upgrade, rescinding Article 370  and temple as the centerpiece of its formidable dare of a tough electoral challenge to the 26 Opposition Parties INDIA Bloc. 

Questionable, can Opposition’s strategy to present a united front derail BJP’s juggernaut? Can Congress’s Rahul, regional satraps TMC’s Chief Mamata, NCP, DMK, JD(U), RJD put aside their differences? Can it counter BJP’s ‘reinvented’ citizenship by re-invoking Mandal read caste census, by underscoring the unfulfilled agenda of social justice?  Can it compromise on seat sharing? 

The challenge will have to take into account BJP has honed and hardened its core message and added layers to its appeal. Presently, Mandir is not just ‘colliding’ with Mandal but also co-opted it. Certainly, while the unfinished societal impartiality agenda might be a counter-strategy, is Congress, INDIA a credible vehicle of that vision? Importantly, does it have the capacity?   

Pertinently, Treasury-Opposition distrust was starkly visible in Parliament’s winter session with 146 MPs suspended for “misconduct,” showcasing how dysfunctional the legislature has become. Amidst the continuing logjam and penchant for notching up brownie points, all conveniently brush under the carpet that Parliament is a sacred symbol of our democracy. The onus is on both Government and Opposition to ensure smooth running of both Houses. 

Time our MPs realize their key job is to legislate. Remember, Parliamentary democracy does not begin and end with elections, it’s a continuous process whereby even as Opposition has its say, Government has its way. The electorate takes a cue from Parliament. A House that functions in a healthy atmosphere of dialogue, dissent and debate sends out a positive message to people. 

Besides, in an era of political polarisation and contest, multiplicity and overlapping of identities, increasingly, we are getting more casteist and communal whereby a distraught India is searching for her soul under an increasing onslaught of intolerance and criminalization. 

Amidst this aakrosh, the common man continues to struggle for roti, kapada aur makaan with an increasingly angry and restive janata demanding answers. Sick of  crippling morass of our neo-Maharajas with their power trappings and suffering from Acute Orwellian syndrome of “some-are-more-equal-than-others” and Oliver’s disorder, “always asking for more”. 

Tragically, nobody has time for aam aadmi’s growing disillusionment with the system which explodes in rage. Turn to any mohalla, district or State, the story is mournfully the same. Resulting in more and more people taking law into their own hands and borne out by increasing rioting and looting.

Capital Delhi is replete with gory tales of crime and murders. The system has become so sick that women are raped in crowded trains with co-passengers as mute spectators. Sporadically converting the country into andher nagri wherein our sensibilities are benumbed. The daily despicable beastly horrors of sexual harassment and assault on  women fails to trouble our collective conscience. 

As the New Year unfolds, India will have to contend with an increasingly unstable world with foreboding, as wars in Ukraine and Gaza spill over and escalate and new ones erupt in incipient fault lines across the world. The most powerful instruments of violence are available to State and non-State actors. This embrace of unrestrained violence is matched by new instruments of war wonders of technological advancement whose frenetic pace is leaving Government’s bedazzled and bewildered. 

Domestically, Government needs to look at how security challenges in Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur can be addressed while ameliorating inflamed public opinion over the ambush of security personnel, custodial killings in Poonch, Naxal menace and strife in Manipur. Clearly, New Delhi needs to deal with the unfolding situation sympathetically as it could lead to multiple fault lines, which could polarise our plural society and threaten the survival of the Indian State. 

On the external front India relations with China and Pakistan are like playing poker. Show no emotions even as one plans strategy, play is multi-causal, defiantly stand one’s ground and gambling on a winning hand. Despite umpteen military and diplomatic dialogues over-22 months and continuing standoff in Eastern Ladakh, Beijing continues to take “incremental and tactical” actions to press its claims along the LAC. While elections in Pakistan and Bangladesh might become portends of more instability in South Asia, New Delhi needs to keep a keen eye on their political churn.

It is a paradox of our times that just when most of our challenges and threats to our well-being have become global, our attitudes have become more narrowly national. There is no alternative to truly collaborative responses delivered through empowered institutions of governance whose guiding principle is equity. 

As we move ahead our leaders need to stop getting their shorts in knots over excessive trivia, get their act together, take responsibility, amend their ways and address real serious issues of governance. They must realize India’s democratic prowess owes its resilience to the aam aadmi. Our policy makers need to redouble their efforts on the ease of living as people want jobs, transparency and accountability including bolstering public health, plugging learning gaps in education. 

Besides, no matter who wins or loses  Modi and INDIA Opposition bloc needs to put its act together with leaders with grit and determination who can and are ready to build a new India as there are shared stakes in a life together built by a multi-plural society of diverse people and communities which constitute the life of a nation. 

Ultimately, when the battle of ideas and ideologies skid and careen noisily our rulers need to focus on what they are going to do to make 2024 a good year. Time to get back to basics, build a climate safe country and reignite the magic of simplicity and minimalism. They need to become more humane and painstakingly secure heritage of multi-faith tolerance and grass-root democracy whereby, the principles of ‘Jus Ad Bellum’: right authority, right intention and reasonable hope dictate our responses. What gives? ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 1 January 2024

AI To Hit Global Economy

IMPACT POLLS, TOPPLE GOVTS

By Shivaji Sarkar 

The global economy is at stake as both the World Bank and the European Union fear artificial intelligence (AI) manipulating 70 countries, including the world’s largest democracies -- India, the US and Russia -- going to polls in 2024.Others to join the polls include Taiwan, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan. And all will be experiencing their first AI election, says British journal The Economist adding “Disinformation campaigns may be supercharged in 2024”. 

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) estimates that AI is poised to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy. However, the World Bank underscores the challenges posed by AI, labelling 2023 as the year of inequality and 2024 as the year of artificial intelligence. This, in turn, intensifies battles against conflict, violence, food security, and climate change, making economic stability elusive, particularly for the world’s poorest nations, including India.Jobs except for gig, temporary-online work, are not growing. 

The worry among nations stems from the potential for AI to manipulate information on a larger scale than the traditional social media or manual public relations methods. The upcoming elections, particularly Taiwan’s in January 2024, carry global significance. The contest between the Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang, coupled with Beijing’s alleged involvement through cyber warfare, adds a geopolitical dimension to the concerns. 

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, interim Dean at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, predicts that the 2024 elections will be an ‘AI election’, comparable to the impact of social media in 2016 and 2020 changing politics. Luminate’s survey reveals widespread European concerns about AI and deepfake technology, with over 70% of respondents in the UK and Germany expressing concern about its potential threat to elections and democracy. 

India grapples with AI controversies involving sophisticated IT cells within numerous political parties, coupled with ongoing debates surrounding electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Opposition’s vocal scrutiny and the suspension of 146 opposition MPs step up the atmosphere leading up to the polls. Concurrently, the nation witnesses a substantial 30.8 percent surge in AI investment, reaching a notable $881 million, according to Nasscom. 

More people think social media companies hurt democracy instead of strengthening it. Referencing historical examples, Professor Paul M Vaaler of the University of Minnesota highlights the influence of multinational corporations (MNCs) in electoral politics, emphasising a potential repeat scenario with AI. He says that between 1987 and 2000 MNCs invested $199 billion in 18 developing countries and replaced governments – right with left and left with right. 

Microsoft’s chief economist, Michael Schwarz, warns of bad actors meddling in elections through AI-driven spams, while also acknowledging the lucrative potential of AI development. Interestingly, AI is likely to generate $30 billion for Microsoft over an investment of $1 billion in 2019. 

Despite previous concerns surrounding the 2020 US elections and ongoing AI battles in Europe, the lack of AI regulations and widespread distrust in political establishments may keep the concerns about technology misuse hidden. It still remains a volatile issue between Democrat President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The G7 and G-20, viewed as hotbeds of global MNCs influencing policies, contribute to growing inequality among countries, leading to social and political unrest globally. 

India, facing a Hobson’s choice regarding AI involvement, grapples with economic challenges, including high debt levels, growing gig jobs, and concerns about the quality of employment. The GDP is growing for sure as high debt figures also add to it. The low value gig jobs being created syncs with the World Bank’s concern of loss in quality employment. 

India debt has touched Rs 169 lakh crore, foreign debt exceeds $629 billion, though the Finance Ministry has allayed IMF fears of debt reaching 100 percent of GDP in 2028-28. The level at present is 81 percent and the Ministry says it is reducing. India’s public and private capital expenditures are shrinking. Private expenses declined by 55 percent and public by 68 percent, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). 

Fears rise about the use and misuse of AI ahead of next year’s elections around the world that will see billions of people come out to vote.Pime Minister NarendraModi has cautioned against AI misuse in elections in India, echoing fears of deepfake technology after a video of him dancing surfaced. He suspected it was a video generated using AI that appeared real. Some fact-checkers revealed that the garba, a traditional Gujarati dance performance, was done by a Modi look alike and was not an AI-generated clip. 

During Telangana elections, the BRS complained to the Election Commissionthat the Congress used AI to discredit its party President KT Rama Rao. BJP has been using AI campaigns since 2020 with its Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari’s AI generated videos. The party said that it had partnered with a private company to generate deepfakes that reached 15 million people in 5800 WhatsApp groups. Now other parties are also using it to reach a larger audience.Companies around Delhi have gone into producing many AI-generated campaign materials for the LokSabhaelections from village to national level. Clips can be made for Rs 5000 to higher values. 

An Ernst & Young survey finds Indian corporate CEOs yearning for AI investment but are cautious yet to commit but admit that this is India’s moment to shape the future of the AI-led Industrial Revolution. 

The disruptive effects of AI may also influence wages, income distribution and economic inequality. Rising demand for high-skilled workers capable of using AI could push their wages up, while many others may face a wage squeeze or unemployment. But AI is also about high investments. It can bring in transformative changes in healthcare, education, banking, industry, agriculture, manufacturing, industry, marketing and a host of other applications.  The growth co-efficient suggests that on an average a unit increase in AI intensity can return $ 67.25 billion of 2.5 percent of GDP to the Indian economy.    

As AI’s disruptive effects on wages, income distribution and economic inequality become apparent, balancing technological advancement with cautious regulation becomes imperative. Despite fears of remote political intervention, the inexorable march of technological progress mandates adherence to western practices to ensure responsible use in polling and governance processes.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Round The States

New Delhi, 30 December 2023

Bihar Political Stir Up

NITISH TAKES CENTRE STAGE

By Insaf 

The political churnings in Bihar have led to a change of guard in the ruling Janata Dal (United). Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took over as party President on Friday, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, who has been his comrade in arms for past five decades. The timing of the party’s National Council meeting in Delhi appears to be a well-thought strategy or perhaps a compulsion given that the big battle of 2024 is just months away and Nitish must have centre stage. Besides, the rumour mill has it that Nitish is upset with Lalan Singh’s close proximity to ally RJD and that Singh had a meeting with deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav along with 14 MLAs in a bid to overthrow him! Though Singh has denied such shenanigans, he did eventually have to resign. The party too rubbishes the rumours saying the change is primarily because Nitish is its ‘most prominent face’ and he should take charge of the organisation at this crucial time to ensure “unilateral command to the party rank and file”.

Guess, not just within JD(U) but also with INDIA bloc, which has been ignoring the feelers of making Nitish its Convenor. Rumours of Nitish joining the NDA are also doing the rounds, which the party has denied vociferously. All eyes will be now on him and how he plays out the changeover. Whatever the plans, and whether it will work or not is anyone’s guess.    

*                                               *                                               *                                               * 

Respect Kannada

The language issue raises its ugly head again in Karnataka. Respect Kannada if you want to live and do business in Bengaluru, warns Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV). On Wednesday last, the self-proclaimed caretaker of Kannada language and key issues chose to take law into its hands, with its members going on a rampage and vandalising commercial establishments, tearing down non-Kannada signages. They demanded the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) law that signages should have 60% Kannada, must be respected and now. While the police detained hundreds of its activists and arrested 28, including KRV President Narayana Gowda, the government has asked it to refrain till the deadline of February 28, as set for all establishments to have Kannada signboards prominently. Undermining of the official language is unacceptable to the KRV, which says “If you ignore Kannada or put Kannada letters in small, we will not let you operate here.” Bengaluru, a Cosmopolitan capital, did you say? 

*                                               *                                               *                                               * 

Religion Or Politics?

Religion or politics is a controversy brewing around the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, UP on January 22. Other than the temple’s grandness, the town is being given a makeover ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit on Saturday to inaugurate an international airport and redeveloped Ayodhya railway station. On Thursday last, preparations were on a war footing to give it a divine look-- orange and yellow strings of marigolds around ornamental lamp posts, structures, etc. The PMO said Modi will inaugurate four redeveloped, widened, and beautified roads, including Ram Path. Large posters hailing the town as ‘Maryada, Dharm and Sanskriti,’ have come up. But is it so? Controversy over the invites, who will or won’t attend is playing out. For example, CPM has snubbed saying: ‘Religion is a personal choice of every individual.... the inauguration ceremony has been converted into a state-sponsored event with PM, UP CM and others holding Constitutional positions.’ Some have termed it as a ‘show off’. BJP responds: ‘Insulting Hindus, Hindutva and Hindu values seems to have become part of the DNA of these socially thorn people!” Perhaps, it’s best to leave it as Hey Ram!

*                                               *                                               *                                               * 

CAA In West Bengal

‘No one can stop implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)’, is Union Home Minister Amit Shah assertion and aimed particularly at West Bengal. Accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people, Shah reminded her that ‘it is the law of the land’ (passed by Parliament in 2019) and his party is committed to implement it. Clearly, the poll bugle has been sounded, as sharp focus was put on CAA, during a closed-door meeting of the party’s social media and IT wing members in Kolkata on Tuesday last, with few video clips being shared later. Shah aims now to win over 35 of the 42 Lok Sabha, (in 2019 it won 18) with the promise to ‘end of infiltration, cow smuggling and providing citizenship to religiously persecuted people.’ Didi has been vociferously opposing the CAA, but for how long and how is the big question. The BJP sees CAA as a major factor for its rise in this State and it requires no guessing to what length it could go to quash opposition. Fireworks are to be expected.   

*                                               *                                               *                                               * 

Nagpur Rally & Yatra

Congress has kicked off its 2024 poll campaign, and strategically in RSS’s backyard, Nagpur city. Thursday last, observing its 139th foundation day with a mega rally, 'Hain Taiyyar Hum' (we are ready), it asserted ‘INDIA alliance will win’ in ensuing polls. Both Rahul Gandhi and chief Mallikarjun Kharge drove home the point the battle with BJP is to save democracy: “If BJP and RSS came to power again, democracy will be finished. There are two ideologies in Nagpur, one is progressive which belongs to Ambedkar, and other is of RSS which is destroying the country.” Predictably, Prime Minister Modi was targeted as ‘being against social justice and equality’, and it’s Congress which will seek ‘justice for people,’ through Rahul’s 'Bharat Nyay Yatra'. It will begin on 14 January from Manipur to Mumbai, passing through 14 states and 85 districts in 67 days. His ‘Bharat jodo yatra’ had raised issues of “economic disparities, polarisation and dictatorship”, this one shall focus on “social, economic and political justice for the people.” Will the BNY rally support for the party as did the BJY in Karnataka and Himachal? Well begin is half done goes the saying and the Nagpur rally should keep the grand old party’s hopes alive.

*                                               *                                               *                                               * 

Covid Cases

Is there a need to panic or not? With Delhi joining other States in reporting its first case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, the citizens are at a loss of how to react as the Union Health Ministry has urged people not to panic, saying it’s a mild version of Omicron and ‘mild infection.’ While the national capital has 35-odd cases since Wednesday last, 40 more cases of the variant were recorded across the country taking the tally of cases to 109—36 cases were detected from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, nine from Maharashtra, six from Kerala, four each from Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, and two from Telangana. Most of the patients, it was said were currently in home isolation, however, there were 3 new fatalities (two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat) within a span of 24 hours. While it may be prudent for the Ministry not to frighten people, it’s equally important it keeps a close tab on the cases and have an action plan in case its understanding goes awry. As said, it’s better to be safe then sorry. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)