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Political Diary
Intentional Distortions: CONFUSING VOTER FOR POWER, By Dhurjati Mukherjee, 1 May 2024 |
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Open Forum
New Delhi, l May,
2024
Intentional Distortions
CONFUSING VOTER FOR POWER
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
Distortion
of facts, ‘hate speech’ and even misinterpretation of court judgments,appear to
be near normal this general election. It should be a cause concern for the
electorate, but unfortunately masses do get swayed with the rhetoric and the
hysteria created around, given sheer ignorance and low level of education.
Allowing political parties and their star campaigners to play merry havoc with
sentiments, particularly veering around religion.
Prime
Minister Modi’s speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara is one such glaring case, among
others,which has been written a lot about. Modi, as per fact checking, distorted
former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speech in 2009, wherein he has stated that
the marginalised had priority in any scheme of redistribution of wealth.
However, Modi thought it prudent to give this a religious turn by saying that
if the Congress is elected to power, it would do what Singh wanted i.e. give
away the wealth of the nation to ‘infiltrators’ and ‘those who have more
children meaning Muslims along with the mangalsutras of women.
The
Congress, Left parties and civil society groups complained to the Election
Commission of India against Modi's divisive remarks, stating it was a clear
violation of the model code of conduct. The complaint observed: “Shri Modi
distorted the statement and peddled a lie with a clear objective of creating
fear among the Hindus that the opposition Congress Party would give the wealth
of the country to Muslims”. Note, Article 39(b) of the Constitution provides
that the State should direct its policy towards securing “that the ownership
and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed to
subserve the common good”.
Recall
that Vinoba Bhave started the bhoodan movement to urge big landowners to
give a part of their landholdings to poor farmers. The sharing of one’s
resources with the poorer sections of the community is something that needs to
be inculcated amongst the rich and become part of our national policy.
On its
part, the BJP also issued complaints to the Election Commission against
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP said that in
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Rahul alleged that the prime minister was attacking
“our language, history, and tradition” and brining about a north-south divide. It
also accused Kharge of violating the model code by claiming that he was not
invited to the Ram temple consecration ceremony due to discrimination against
SCs and STs.
Lately,
another controversy has erupted regarding inheritance tax. A few countries have
this tax and the most important country in this category is the US. Sam
Pitroda, chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, said in a recent interview that
the inheritance tax in America was “interesting law” and could be an issue that
people could debate and discuss. He clearly pointed out the redistribution of
wealth entails new policies and programmes that are in the interest of the
common people and not in the interest of the super-rich only. Pitroda’s
comments gave additional ammunition to Prime Minister Modi, who appears to have
relegated ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign to the back seat after the first
round of voting and instead playing the Hindu-Muslim polarisation card.
Modi grabbed
the opportunity to accuse the Congress of planning to impose an inheritance
tax, raising the slogan “Congress ki loot, zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ki
baad bhi”. This is misleading and moving away from the real issue and
a subtle attempt to protect interests of the rich. He said that the late Rajiv
Gandhi had abolished the inheritance tax to “save his property” but, in
reality, the abolition was effective for deaths after March 16, 1985 – over
four months after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, making Rajiv ineligible for
its benefits.
Experts
believe that the redistribution of private assets have the potential to solve
the problem of widening inequality accompanied by unemployment, poverty and
hopelessness that induced 170,000 suicides in India in 2022, 27 percent more
than in 2018. At no point in our known history has the proportion of the
population experiencing absolute deprivation been as low as it is today. One
may mention here that economic growth without grass-root development has no
meaning. The point is to broaden the participative base of economic activity as
a portion of growth would accrue to those creating it. But the political
leadership is not focussing on restoring citizens with rights and dignity and
providing adequate and quality education, healthcare and infrastructure,
physical as well as financial.
The
other development pertains to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who
has been trying frantically to distort a High Court order and questioning the
integrity of judges in scrapping over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching posts.
Not just her, but TMC leaders have been quoted saying the judges were working
on the advice of the BJP.The court stated: “all appointments granted in the
selection processes involved being violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the
Constitution of India are declared null and void and cancelled . . . SSC, State
and Board have perseveringly non-cooperated so that even the possibility of
trying to separate the grain from the chaff could be rendered nugatory.”.
The
order referred to the scam of being one of unprecedented dimension, which
obviously cannot be doubted and, as such, the court scrapped the whole panel of
2016. Banerjee stated that the judgment was passed into a “mandir, masjid or
gurdwara” but in “BJP’s bicharalaya (court)”. While telling the common
people that she wanted to give jobs to the deserving, criticism of the
judiciary and insinuation of judges is, no doubt, jarring. Even TMC General Secretary
Abhishek Banerjee said, “a section of Calcutta HC is in a nexus with the BJP”. A
case has been filed against the chief minister.
Politics
has undoubtedly reached a new low with leaders intentionally distorting facts
to gain political mileage. Sadly, they do not feel the need to get down to
basic issues which matter to the common man. Principles and ideologies are being
sacrificed at the altar of politics and leaders’wealth is surging ahead. Such
mischief has unfortunately been continuing and civil society is not strong
enough to thwart such intent. Both at the Central and state levels, the spirit
of dissent has been broken by authoritarian tendencies. This has been clearly
highlighted by Western media, which is increasingly doubting India as a true
democracy.
Free and
fair elections are bedrock of democracy. The electorate must be able to make a
well-informed decision and be given the confidence that his vote will help
bring a government which cares for its well-being. And it is the Election
Commission which too must play its role and be above board. Distortion of facts
and confusing the voter defeats the entire exercise, and it must actively step
in and call out the guilty leaders, whichever party it may be. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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Slander Is Now Virtue: MORE VULGAR THE BETTER!, By Poonam I Kaushish, 30 April 2024 |
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Political Diary
New Delhi, 30 April 2024
Slander Is Now Virtue
MORE VULGAR THE
BETTER!
By Poonam I Kaushish
In this theekha-masaledar
Lok Sabha electioneering season our netagan
are reveling in neech under-the-belt vitriolic
language, putrid entertainment swaying to the heady tinkle of money, cheap
thrills and seetees, whereby the
lines between a political opponent and sworn enemy have got blurred. In the
hope this will bring them political tripti!
Nothing epitomizes this better than
the brazen slanderous ongoing campaigning which has trashed basic courtesies
and decencies, ended camaraderie, bonhomie and respect among healthy rivals.
Underscoring, slander, sensation, smear, sully and smirch are the new political
dialogues and flavour of the time. With the devil taking the hindmost!
Everyone and everything has become
game: From desh bhakts to desh drohis.
For the Congress, confused about its support base, devoid of a vote plank and
desperate about stopping BJP from returning to power, it has fallen back to its
tried and tested formula --- abuse and blatant casteism. For the Saffron Sangh
it is a do-or-die battle for its ‘Gujju’ poster boy Prime Minister Modi to
ensure he continues his 10-years rule.
All hell broke loose when Congress filed a complaint
with Election Commission requesting action against Modi for misguiding people
by stating “We planning to redistribute wealth and women’s mangalsutra to infiltrators read Muslims and calling our manifesto
‘Muslim League imprint.’ This is neither written in the Constitution nor mentioned
in our manifesto anywhere.”
It accused its rival of distorting
a leader’s remark on inheritance
tax, with Modi trashing it as Opposition Party's mantra to “loot” people “zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi.”
Adding, “Modi
talks so much. He says he has a 56-inch chest. What will we do with a 56-inch
chest? Tell us what you did for stomach? What are you giving us for meals? Today,
price rise is an issue worrying poor people.”
The BJP countered by accusing
Congress “shehzada” Rahul Gandhi of
persistently perpetuating a division between North and South India based on
language and region, along-with planning religion-based reservation to appease Muslims
for vote bank politics. Karnataka Congress Government has given part of OBC
reservation to Muslims, it thundered.
It took potshots at Rahul saying he is “Moorkhon aur jhooton
ka Sardar” who calls himself an “accidental Hindu”….. He does not
have proper knowledge of India's history and geography. Alongside falsely
asserting increase in poverty in the nation and called on EC to take action
against him. Rahul shot back “PM matlab Panauti Modi aur jebkatra.”
TMC’s Mamta calls Modi, “paapi” while NCP’s Sharad Pawar named
him “shameless,” Shiv Sena- Uddhav Thackeray said a vote for Modi was a “vote
for destruction”, BSP dubbed BJP-led NDA “terrorist Government.” While a
CPM leader said, “Was Rahul born into Nehru-Gandhi family? I have doubts … his
DNA should be examined.” AIMM Owaisi took the cake, “Koi maee ka lal pedha nahi hua jo mujhe rok sake…Modi RSS ka peelu hai…. ishara kar diya toh
dorana padhega.”
Obviously, the blame lies squarely
with Parties whereby the EC’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has become the most
potent missile in the arsenal of political rivals and jaani dushmans. With none caring a damn for its seven Dos and
Don’ts about general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booth
observers and Party in power.
Quick to complain, all shy from
demanding the same discipline for crude and repulsive swipes at rivals. Every Party has
raised allegations of causing hatred and division based on religion, caste,
community or language. A helpless EC only expresses its “displeasure”, invoking Section
77 of the Representation of the People Act and holds Party Presidents
responsible, as a first step to reign in star campaigners.
“Parties will have to take
primary responsibility for conduct of their candidates, star campaigners in
particular. Campaign speeches by those holding high positions are of more
serious consequences,” said EC. Barring a warning or ban on electioneering for two-three
days, the EC’s action against hate speeches totals a mere rap on the knuckles.
Big deal! Aren’t we accustomed to
gutter-sniping and vitriolic tu-tu-mein-mein
between political opponents and Parties? Isn’t it part and parcel of political
discourse? Of dirty linen being increasingly washed in public serenaded by
frenzied audiences more vulgar the better, dil
maange more!
After all, how would their art of
double-speak succeed if preachers of morality were to start practicing it?
Polls mean scoring brownie points against rivals, forget EC reading the riot
act under MCC. Ends matter not the means.
Will this mud-raking stop? No. All
are tarred by the same brush: Congress, BJP or X,Y,Z Party. Alas, none wants to
address critical questions: Why are politicians’ discourses becoming more and
more venomous and noxious? Can such language and conduct be condoned? In Delhi
the BJP stands accused of calling AAP’s Kejriwal “a dog” and its woman
candidate “a prostitute” alongside casteist slurs.
Frankly, I am neither surprised as
our netagan are only showing their girgit true colours throwing all public
decency and decorum to winds! Gone are the days when jibes and trolls were funny,
sarcastic and netas took them in
their strides.
Accentuating bankruptcy that is
manifest in our system wherein leaders have perfected the art of cultivating
low morality and high greed made more malignant by our fragmented politics.
Resulting in immorality becoming a way of life, what damn difference does one
more slanderous attack make?
Sadly, through this diatribe one
thing emerges crystal clear: political skullduggery indulged in mirrors the
harsh and horrendous reality of our polity. Where there is no dividing line
between what is correct and incorrect. A harsh reflection on the depth of
political depravation we have come to. A nouvelle vote-catching mantra in the
hope that this cesspit sniping would bring them power. Consequently, the idea
of democracy has been vitiated.
Alas, it is not this election alone,
the story is the same every election wherein EC is grappling with the same
questions. And by the time it arrives at an answer, votes have been cast. So
what happens to violations of the MCC? Zilch. They die a natural death.
It is simply stupid to lament about
falling standards of morality in politics in these bad times. As India votes we
must not allow ourselves to be taken for granted any more. We must demand statements
which are unwarranted and unhealthy for our democracy not be used along-with
insisting electoral reforms be implemented soon to make our democracy truly
representative. Stop voting for shameless, self-serving netas who put a premium on immorality.
Clearly, it is time our politicians
realize profligacy, immorality cannot be the bedrock of democracy. Our polity
needs to tone down divisive and personal attacks, engage each other on issues
affecting people and nation, not personalities to put electioneering back on
rails of dignified debate adopting zero-tolerance stand on offensive language.
The aim: raise bar on public
discourse because if you point one slanderous finger at another, four other
slanderous fingers will point back at you! How long will we suffer the stampede
for sensation and slur? Can a nation be bare and bereft of all sense of shame
and morality? ---- INFA
(Copyright India News & Feature Alliance)
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New GovtMust Cut I-T: REBOOT PSUS FOR JOBS, By Shivai Sarkar, 29 April 2024 |
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Economic
Highlights
New
Delhi, 29 April 2024
New GovtMust Cut I-T
REBOOT PSUS FOR JOBS
By Shivai Sarkar
Despite
it being too early to discuss the Union budget to be presented in July, it is
certain whichever combination comes back to power it would have to majorly
review the February interim budget in view of the debates generated during the
course of elections.
The
election is veering round more on economic issues than religion or the Ram
temple, though in certain regions these remain potent issues and so too the
brand Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. A larger section is concerned of the
core economy, unemployment, farmers issues, irrationally high prices, medical
and health care costs, school and university fees, shooting costs of houses,
high toll-jacked inflation and similar other issues.
Even
showcasing of Indian economy as the fifth largest economy is not being accepted
as reality by a large section. The farmers and citizens wonder while cars and
tractors are allowed to run for 40 years like aircraft across the world, why a
pro-people government should in a tearing hurry to send these to junkyards in
India, particularly when household debts are skyrocketing. The rural wisdom
calls it weird and tries to locate the linkages of government functionaries
with the car makers.
Questions
are also raised on the Rs 16.87 lakh crore debt repayment in 2024-25 budget.
This effectively cuts the actual budget of Rs 47.65 lakh crore to about Rs 31
lakh crore. Repayment burden in 2025 is slated to be higher. The Opposition
sharp angling on core economic issues is being rebutted by ruling combine by
charging that if the opposition gets to power it would sell “mangalsutras”
and delve into divisive politics. The Election Commission has issued warnings
to the ruling party for its wry comments.
Low
voting in 190 constituencies in major states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and
Maharashtra raise concern among all parties. The voter is apathetic despite
many moves by the Election Commission. Is that a reflection on governance?
This has
not put the issues on the backburner. According to RBI, inflation rise at 5.5
percent a year has shot beyond 55 percent in compounded terms causing huge rise
in the prices. Nobody has got such a raise in their salaries, not even
government employees. The new government would have to take drastic steps to
bring down the prices of edible oil, food grains, vegetables, potato and onion
as also school fees and expensive health care, milk and other commodities.People
are unwilling to buy the argument that inflation is built into the system. They
rather equate it with corporate electoral bond doles to parties. The government
accepting the petrol prices are high, cut it by Rs 2 just before the polls. It has
no impact on the voters’ psyche.
The
voter is not happy with the so-called demonstrative developments like
demolition and construction of large office buildings, rail stations, rampant
construction of roads or metro. Constructions devastate the hills of Himachal
Pradesh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand and the NorthEast. Kisans who became millionaires
overnight with acquisition of their land for roads are not happy for losing
their livelihood. And most villagers rue the roads that divide their habitats
and relationships for a road they can’t use without paying toll. It is a
serious issue because the kisan also pays Rs 30 per litre petrol cess toll
introduced with the promise of ending the toll. All these benefit bulk
profiteers and least of jobs.
A new
government has to initiate drastic changes and reorient policies. A major
reason of the joblessness is attributed to ad hoc decisions. Such constructions
erode government finance and build little asset. Southeast Asia tried it in
late 1990s and got into trouble in 1997. It would be wise on the part of the
new government to revive PSUs and ask the private sector to compete with them.
It would create jobs, add to national economy and create a fair playground.
People
question rationale of parting a part of Indian Oil to a private giant or giving
out ports to private players. At least one such port has become notorious for
being smugglers’ den.The universities, IITs and government institutions have
been given a mandate to raise tuition fees every year. The private ones hike
far more. Schools and universities need financing by the government and
education cost must be cut down. Congress promises apprenticeship to every
graduate. Looks good but it is not practical. The scheme has failed a number of
times.
India’s
overall exports fell by 8.1 per cent and exports to its free trade partners
shrank by 18 percent in the first half of 2023. The country’s trade deficit
ballooned to $78.2 billion in the last financial year. India’s export values
across all commodities declined to $351 billion during April-January from $366
billion a year ago, underlining the impact of global economic slowdown and
tightening of interest rates in Western countries.
These
numbers have emerged amid India’s push to sign free trade deals with the UK and
the European Union. The International Monetary Fund says that global slowdown
is on. Howsoever India projects its march to $5 trillion economy, it is not
easy. The West becomes more protectionist and keen on imposing carbon tax. The
West needs to protect its own bread.
Lower
productivity can result in reduced job creation within the manufacturing
sector, leading to unemployment or underemployment. The International Labour
Organisation finds low pay and wages as serious challenges.When productivity
declines, the incentives for firms to invest in research and development or
adopt new technologies diminish, leading to a slower pace of the manufacturing
sector.
But the
challenge of rising household debt and falling savingscould weigh on long-term
growth sustainability.The FDI flow is low at $ 17.96 billion. Despite a
supposed buzzing market it has not risen much.The new government also has the
challenge to cut personal income-tax rates from 39 percent to 22 percent in
tune with the corporate tax. High taxations hit the purchasing capacity and
concomitant market problems.
In
short, the new government has to stress on issues regarding taxes, education,
health, livelihood, low tolls and better deal to farmers. Both manifestos of
BJP and Congress speak of too many doles and caste related benefits. If the
government can address the basic issues and make it one of the most affordable
economies, India’s journey would be smooth.
It is a dream, if comes true it would be the most liveable country.---INFA
(Copyright, India News &
Feature Alliance)
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Banswara ‘Hate Speech’ : EC NOTICE TO NADDA, NOT MODI!, By Insaf, 27 April 2024 |
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Round The States
New Delhi, 27 April 2024 Banswara ‘Hate Speech’
EC NOTICE TO NADDA, NOT MODI!
By Insaf
As Rajasthan
goes to the polls among 13 States for 89 seats in the second phase of the 2024
battle, Banswara may go down in electoral history. Prime Minister Modi’s campaign
speech in the city viewed as ‘malicious’, ‘divisive’, targeting a particular
religious community, going viral on
social media, hitting headlines and editorials saying ‘No, Prime Minister’ et
al, did get the Election Commission to break its silence, but its action
remains hushed. Importantly, while it's for the first time it took cognisance
of a complaint against a Prime Minister for violating the MCC, it’s also a first
when it changes the rules of the game. It doesn’t issue a notice to Modi but to
BJP President Nadda, seeking his response by Monday. The so-called blow is
softened as it simultaneously issues a notice to Congress President Kharge on complaint
filed by BJP alleging violation by him and Rahul Gandhi, for ‘creating
linguistic and cultural divide.’ While it justifies its directives saying the
party Presidents must bring to the notice of all his party star campaigners to
set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of MCC in
letter and spirit and that campaign speeches made by those holding high
positions have more serious consequences, there are few takers. Of course, Congress
has given it a thumbs down saying the step is reflective of the ‘inhibition’ and
‘fear’ on Nirvachan Sadan’s part to act against the PM.
Indeed,
the Commission doesn’t name Modi, but its letter to Nadda contains the
complaints filed by Congress, Left parties and civil society groups. So, the
public needs to join the dots. What is of concern is a clear shift in EC’s standard
response; it used to take up complaints against individuals, even ‘star campaigners’
and leaders. A former Election Commissioner is quoted to have said, the EC’s
move is fraught. “If you issue a notice to a party for comments of a leader, how
much of a room do you have to act against the leader?” And the next question
would be if the party gives an unsatisfactory reply, what action will the
Commission take against the party? The Opposition sees the EC’s stand as weak, taken
under ‘public pressure’. But EC insists ‘it has taken a view that while
individual star campaigners would continue to remain responsible for speeches
made by them, the Commission will address party chiefs ‘on a case-to-case basis.’
Will it make BJP’s ‘star campaigner’ responsible, or let the dust settle down
in the Banswara case? No need for a guessing game.
* * * *
Delhi’s
New Victim
Delhi’s
ongoing political tussle in an outside Tihar jail has a new victim. Elections
to MCD’s posts of mayor and deputy mayor, to be held on Friday stand deferred.
Lt Governor V K Saxena in a letter to Chief Secretary a day before said “These
are peculiar and unprecedented circumstances where the serving Chief Minister
(Arvind Kejriwal) is under judicial custody as an undertrial prisoner involving
a corruption case and therefore cannot discharge his constitutionally obligated
functions.” The appointment of a ‘presiding officer, he added couldn’t be made
in the absence of inputs from CM, who is lodged in Tihar Jail, ‘coupled with
the factum that the minister is making wild and baseless allegations…’
Therefore, incumbent Mayor and Dy Mayor will continue to hold their positions
till elections can be held in terms of legal provisions. AAP predictably says
it’s at ‘BJP’s behest, which doesn’t want a Dalit mayor; the Centre was
hatching a conspiracy to halt these polls and oust AAP from MCD.’ In fact, it
may be more than meets the eye— a step towards the big question whether a CM
can constitutionally continue to run the government from jail!
* * * *
Surat
Outcry
BJP’s
Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal, being declared elected unopposed has raised a hornet’s
nest. While the BJP sees it as first victory towards its goal of 400 plus
seats, Congress and AAP who have an alliance in Gujarat have termed it as
‘match fixing’ The sequence of events are telling: Congress candidate’s nomination is declared void as the four
proposers names are said to be forged, the party’s ‘substitute’ candidate’s
papers are invalidated and four Independents,
three from smaller parties and BSP candidate withdraw their nominations! “Our
elections, our democracy, Ambedkar’s Constitution -- all are under a
generational threat,” said a livid Congress and complained to EC alleging it
was done by exerting “wrong and undue influence”. It demanded the poll process
in that seat be restarted. It’s partner, AAP which did not put up a candidate put
its demand that EC register a case against Congress candidate: either he be
booked on charges of forgery or his proposers be booked for giving false
declaration on oath. This would help to get to the bottom of this electoral
scam. Sooner the better.
* * * *
WB
Gets On Offensive
A
belligerent West Bengal government takes pot shots at the judiciary. “Illegal,
gross injustice, a ploy by the BJP…”, are words chosen by Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee in her reaction to the Calcutta High Court’s Monday order declaring ‘null
and void’ all (25,753) appointments of teachers and non-teaching staff through
State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in government-sponsored and aided
schools, and directing them to return their salaries with interest as well as
asking state School Service Commission to initiate a fresh recruitment process.
The division bench, set up on Supreme Court’s instructions, also ordered CBI to
further probe the appointment process and submit a report within 3 months.
Recall, former state education minister Partha Chatterjee and some
functionaries, were arrested by CBI for alleged anomalies in recruitment,
wherein over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the test for 24,640 vacant
posts. While the petitioners were thrilled, TMC leader Abhishek trashed the order
saying “Just as we've heard of match-fixing in cricket, what is happening now
is ‘fixing of orders’, a collaboration between a certain section of judiciary
and BJP to inflict suffering on people…’ The government has petitioned the top
court and even said it will continue to give wages to the staff till its
verdict! Guess, TMC believes in the idiom: best defence is a good offense!
* * * *
Voting Akin to Attending Wedding!
Turning
polling day into something like attending a wedding is Haryana’s way, among
others to enthuse voters. The idea is of state CEO whose office shall be
sending out an ‘invitation’, designed like a wedding card, to every family
urging the voter not to forget to cast his/her vote. The invites, 50-lakh odd,
will also have a voter slip and guidelines and booth level officials will
receive the voters. Other measures include: posters at schools wherein kids are
given a pamphlet to encourage their parents, neighbours to vote and a link on
its website for successful kids to later upload selfies with parents; an
c-VIGIL mobile app to keep a close watch on MCC violations and voters
complaints shall be resolved in 100 minutes; an app ‘Voters-in-Queue’, shall
provide information about the queue at polling centres so that they can go to
vote as the crowd thins out. Will the concept get 75% voter turnout instead of
70.36% five years ago? Well, the CEO, like the bride’s family, will be waiting
anxiously on d-day, May 25 for the baratis! ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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Indian Parliamentary Elections: REBUTTING WESTERN MEDIA, By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri, 26 April 2024 |
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Round The World
New Delhi, 26 April 2024
Indian Parliamentary Elections
REBUTTING WESTERN MEDIA
By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri
(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism)
Indian elections are seldom influenced by
international issues or reactions. But this time around, there is quite a bit
of engagement with the western media and international institutions especially
by India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. The EAM, coming from
the Upper House, is not fighting the current elections but is stoutly defending
India’s electoral process and its enduring democracy.
He is doing it with a twin-strategy, one
is to fulfil his mandate as the Foreign Minister, and second is to prevent the
opposition parties from taking electoral advantage of the reactions from
overseas. The silver lining in such debates on democracy is perhaps that India
is taken more seriously than before by world powers.
Let us note that there are three
international agencies which occasionally assess democracies across the world
and rank the countries in terms of their performance. One is the Economic
Intelligence Unit of the leading media house of Britain, ‘The Economist Group’.
It ranks democracies into three categories – fair, flawed and hybrid. India has
been put as a flawed democracy.
The second agency is V-Dem (Varieties of
Democracy) located in Gothenburg, Sweden which had called India, “An electoral
autocracy”. The third one is Freedom House, a non-profit organisation based in
Washington D.C. which assesses maintenance of civil rights and liberties. It
had ranked India ‘low’ in terms of upholding various freedoms.
India’s ruling regime had reacted
strongly to these observations. Now the Foreign Minister is engaging with these
agencies and others on India’s democracy. In particular, he is extensively
talking about the remarks made by spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, for the UN
Secretary General, “What we very much hope that in India, as in any country
that is having elections that everyone’s rights are protected, including
political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that
is free and fair”.
The spokesperson said this in response to
questions about political unrest in India ahead of the upcoming national
elections, namely the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the
freezing of Congress Party’s bank accounts. Jaishankar strongly responded to
these remarks, “I do not need the United Nations to tell me our elections
should be free and fair. I have the people of India. The people of India will
ensure that elections are free and fair. So, don’t worry about it.”
Jaishankar was campaigning for his
ministerial colleague and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrashekhar in Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala’s capital. Addressing a forum of nationalist thinkers, Jaishankar tore
into the western media, saying, “I get a lot of these noises from the western
press. If they criticise our democracy, it is not because they lack
information. It is because they think they are also political players in our
elections”.
Admittedly, there are different versions
and standards of democracies across the world. One can list the major ones –
representative democracy, people’s democracy, socialist democracy, guided
democracy, basic democracy and direct democracy (this is no longer in
practice). Therefore, the parameters of democracy for each country may vary.
So, it is easy to criticise one democracy by the other. One may also disagree
with the variables that constitute an evaluation matrix used by above-said
agencies. The buzz is that India might come up with its own evaluation criteria
for democracies in the Global South.
At any rate, let us engage with at least
seven points Jaishankar makes in reference to the remarks on Indian democracy.
One, he says these are on our domestic politics which is going global. The
global politics feels they must now interfere in our electoral process. They
think they ought to know who rules India. It is an open secret that the world
powers try to influence the government formation in other countries. The gossip
is that rich countries in the Middle-East finance those who seek to destabilise
democracies. Jaishankar’s complaint is not misplaced.
Second, “the west actually thinks they
are part of our electorate. I think it is time today that we disabuse them and
the best way to do that is by our self-confidence”. This seems to be an
overreaction. The west has a condescending attitude towards Global South. But
their comments on our democracy need not be overplayed.
Third, “we need to stand up to these
kinds of attacks and criticisms, and rankings and reports because they will
question everything”. This is a display of cynicism. We cannot dismiss all
rankings and reports. We need to be sensitive to them and use them as
self-introspection.
Fourth, “they will question our election
system, our EVM, our Election Commission even the weather”. No international
agency has commented on any of these so far. It is the opposition parties which
are raising these doubts and questions. The main agency ECI is responsible for
our elections including the use of EVM. Only they can clear these doubts and
answer these questions.
Fifth, “one complaint is …. The BJP is so
unfair, the BJP thinks it is going to win very big”. One can sympathise with
EAM’s angst on this. It could be politics of envy. At the same time, it could
also be considered as politics of arrogance as BJP initially claimed to cross
400 MPs in Lok Sabha.
Sixth, the EAM said the decisions, this
government will be making are not just for the five years, and will give India,
its society, and the coming generations a very big vote of confidence. This is
a statesman-like statement. The saying goes that a politician looks at next
election whereas a statesman looks at the next generation. So, Jaishankar’s
assertion is worthy of appreciation.
Seventh, “it is the guarantee. The
guarantee is an expression of confidence. It is an expression of confidence
based on what we have delivered for the last ten years”. This is the politician
Jaishankar speaking. Although, he is not a career politician, he has picked up
some of the political lingua in the last ten years.
Guarantee in the strict sense of the term
is an irrevocable commitment. When you purchase a product in the market, there
is a guarantee on it. If the product does not work, it is returnable. Will that
work with the Prime Minister? If a certain promise is not delivered, will he
resign?
Coming back to the international
criticism on our democracy and Jaishankar’s allegation of western press and
powers wanting to influence our elections, it is not new. It has been happening
one way or the other since elections began in India. Instead of being defensive,
we should deepen our democracy to silence the critics.
Any remark on democracy in any country is
a matter of international concern. The corollary to democracy is solidarity
within the country and across the world, of course while isolating the vested
interests. India stands out in Asia for sustaining its democracy. Indians have
proved time and again that they will not compromise on their democracy and
diversity. ---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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