‘Next few months important test of our democracy’ | Photo Credit: AP
The people of India have learned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions speak louder than his words when it comes to understanding the situation today. His statements – when he is not venting anger at the opposition or blaming past leaders for today’s ills – either ignore the most pressing, important issues of the day, or avoid or avoid these issues. There are trivialities and verbal gymnastics to distract attention. On the other hand, his actions leave little to the imagination of the true intentions of the government.
attack on institutions
Over the past months, we have seen the Prime Minister and his government systematically dismantle all three pillars of India’s democracy – the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, with their actions demonstrating a deep-rooted disdain for democracy and democratic accountability. Consider the recent first events in Parliament. In the last session, we saw a government-led strategy to disrupt Parliament and prevent the opposition from raising serious issues such as unemployment, price rise and social divisions, and discuss the year’s budget and the Adani scam. among other important issues. Faced with a determined opposition, the Narendra Modi government resorted to unprecedented measures – deleting speeches, stalling discussion, attacking members of parliament and finally disqualifying a Congress MP with lightning speed. The result was that the budget of Rs 45 lakh crore of public money was passed without any debate. In fact, the Prime Minister was busy inaugurating projects in his constituency with wide media coverage when the Finance Bill was tabled through the Lok Sabha.
The abuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate by the Narendra Modi government is well known, with over 95% of political cases filed only against opposition parties – and cases against those who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) miraculously vanishing have been The misuse of laws meant for national security against journalists, activists and reputed think tanks has been unprecedented. PM makes grand statement about truth and justice, even as charges of financial fraud against PM’s chosen businessman are ignored, Interpol withdraws notice against fugitive Mehul Choksi, and Bilkis Bano convicted The rapists are set free and proceed to share the stage with BJP leaders.
The systematic attempt to undermine the credibility of the judiciary has reached a crisis point, with the Union Law Minister calling some retired judges “anti-national”, and warning that “they will pay the price”. This language is deliberately chosen to mislead the people, inflame their passions and thereby intimidate the serving judges.
an assault and threat
With media freedom long compromised by the political intimidation of the government coupled with the financial clout of BJP friends, evening debates on news channels turn into a barrage of abuse to shout down and silence those who question the government Has been Not content with this, the government has armed itself with legal powers by amending the Information Technology Rules to remove legal protection for any news it dislikes under the label of “fake news”. The Supreme Court of India has recently clarified that criticism of the government is not a ground for punitive action. Is the government listening? There is no doubt that an army of lawyers from the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is ready to harass any platform that publishes criticism of the great leader.
India’s problems cannot be solved by imposing silence. The Prime Minister is silent on legitimate questions about the actions of his government, which affect the lives of millions of people. The Finance Minister did not mention unemployment or inflation in his budget speech – as if these problems did not exist. Their silence does not help the crores of people struggling to afford daily commodities like milk, vegetables, eggs, cooking gas and oil; Or youth facing record unemployment rates. After failing on his promise of doubling farmers’ income by 2022, the Prime Minister has been comfortably silent. But the problem of their rising cost and unaccounted price for their crops is here and there.
The prime minister ignores the rising tide of hatred and violence incited by BJP and RSS leaders, and has not once called for peace or harmony, or taken action to reign in the criminals, let alone bring them to justice. Get it It appears that religious festivals have become occasions to intimidate and bully others – a far cry from when they were occasions of joy and celebration. Instead, there is intimidation and discrimination based only on their religion, food, caste, gender or language.
On the live border issue with China, we have the spectacle of the Prime Minister denying Chinese intrusion, the government stalling the debate in Parliament, while the Foreign Minister adopts a defeatist attitude when it comes to China, which further emboldens him Is. dogmatism.
the coming days are important
Despite the best efforts of the Prime Minister, the people of India cannot and will not remain silent. The next few months are an important test of our democracy. Our country is at crossroads, where the Narendra Modi government is bent on misusing every power and holding elections in several key states. The Congress Party will make every effort to take its message directly to the people, as it did in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and will join hands with all like-minded parties to protect the Constitution of India and its ideals.
Our fight is to protect the voice of the people. The Congress Party understands its sacred duty as the principal opposition party and is ready to work with all like-minded parties to fulfill it.
Sonia Gandhi is the President of the Congress Parliamentary Party