In a recent display of political tension, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions have raised questions about the government’s allegiance to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its potential impact on India’s democratic principles. The suspension of opposition MPs has sparked a nationwide call for safeguarding democracy. On December 21, the INDIA bloc orchestrated a “Save Democracy” march from the old Parliament building to Vijay Chowk, underscoring concerns about the suspension of opposition MPs and its implications for the democratic process. The absence of Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement within the parliamentary walls only deepened the perception of disrespect towards the institution. Congress leaders, including Kharge, proposed that Rahul Gandhi spearhead a campaign against these perceived threats to democracy in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. However, the efficacy of such actions remains uncertain in countering the alleged designs of the RSS. It is imperative for INDIA’s leadership to construct a counter narrative against the backdrop of Modi and Shah’s maneuvers, particularly considering the potential misuse of new laws to consolidate power. The looming specter of an accommodating Election Commission raises concerns about the fairness of future elections, prompting INDIA’s leaders to devise a robust strategy to thwart any attempts to undermine democratic processes.
Speculations circulate within political circles that senior INDIA leaders may face arrest ahead of elections, marking a troubling trend of arbitrary power exercise in a democratic setting. The expulsion of MPs, a glaring example of this arbitrary exercise, underscores the urgency for accountability and upholding the spirit of the Constitution. Former Vice President Hamid Ansari’s warning about the global rise of authoritarianism resonates strongly in India’s current political climate. As nearly half of the assessed 173 countries experience declines in democratic metrics, the need for safeguarding democratic values becomes paramount. However, recent actions, such as Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar introducing casteism into parliamentary discussions, cast a shadow on these efforts. Dhankhar’s expression of personal hurt due to the targeting of his farmer and Jat backgrounds during a debate on mimicry and casteism raises eyebrows. The conflation of mimicry with caste issues prompts questions about his moral support for Jat farmers agitating for Minimum Support Price (MSP). The juxtaposition of such concerns against the broader democratic backdrop adds complexity to the ongoing discourse.
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India stands at a crossroads where the actions of its leaders and the trajectory of democratic principles intertwine. The suspension of MPs, the potential misuse of new laws, and the specter of authoritarianism demand a proactive response from INDIA’s leadership. As the nation prepares for the 2024 elections, it is crucial to foster a political environment that upholds the values enshrined in the Constitution and ensures the preservation of a robust democratic spirit. In the face of growing concerns over democratic erosion in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions, including the suspension of opposition MPs and perceived alignment with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have ignited a nationwide call to safeguard democratic values. The recent “Save Democracy” march by the INDIA bloc underscores the urgency for a counter narrative. Amid speculations of arrests of senior INDIA leaders and the potential misuse of new laws for political gains, there is a pressing need for INDIA’s leadership to fortify democratic processes and address the broader challenges to accountability and constitutional principles in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
