Elections in Democracy of Electoral Autocracy

It is not a coincidence that the central agencies are arresting only the Opposition leaders on charges of corruption, and those who join hands with the ruling party are quickly let off.

Turn to any page of the Newspapers these days or tune on any channels: all one finds is the dense fog of hate filled cross-fire among rival political goons who, after all, are racing for sheer self-gain with having not an iota of compassionate concern for the commoner in the country who they represent. The country in its recent electoral history projects a grim picture of a distressed ship in the heart of the troubled ocean. First there is a fierce fight to obtain a ticket towards which money power and muscle power are essentially employed. If that is not assured, in spite of influence from different quarters of the high and mighty, all the fidelity and passion which the candidates attached to their so called ‘home’ party is quickly put asunder with as many threats and aggressive reactions as possible. Then there is the high drama of switching sides into the supposed greener meadow to suit ones profit. Unfortunately there are hungry political wolves only waiting to devour the dogs that part away from their home-master because he feeds them with no bones anymore. The political parties in India who claim to stand for truth, honesty, decency and right principles easily embrace the tainted, criminal and disloyal ones who jump out of their ‘home.’ It is hard to believe politicians who professedly claim that their party is their only ‘home’ they belong to. These are often liars and murderers, wolves in sheep clothing! These, for that matter any other lot, piously and convincingly refer to the Constitutions, knowing not a clause of the Constitutions, leave alone its Preamble. Of course, in our country acquiring sufficient knowledge of the Constitutions or being totally ignorant of so important a document hardly matters. Our leaders would have no regard for an ethos that shapes their person, a moral standing to be up-right and a measure of humanity to succor the needs of their citizens. If there were these essentials, our elections would not be a dirty game, even though there may be Election Commissioners as watch-dog.

There is a general thinking among the citizens that politics is a game and it can be played without rules; that corruption and criminal deeds may be permitted, all because it is after all politics which requires no ethics and moral principles. This perception among people has led them to be greatly tolerant towards political cross-fire and silent about the atrocities. Hence politicians take absolute liberty in voicing out statements they consider infallible. The harm it can generate and the violence that might follow is never considered or even thought of. Total disrespect to human persons, unfounded things vomited out in the open about them and the discriminative acts committed towards them – all these movements clearly indicate that politics is understood as a public space where anybody can murder anyone who is an opponent.

Opinions may vary, ideologies may differ but respect and honor due to a person cannot be shunted out by fierce verbal attacks and inimical vindictiveness. If political space is meant for hate-mongering and hate crimes, then what one manifests is bestiality at its worst. Today one gets the impression that if someone belongs to a political party his or her primary function is to defame the opponent by showering upon that person the latest barbs against him or her, invent a false narrative from out of the blue, use tongue itching slangs, create an sensational environment around that person and disturb public harmony and peace. Perhaps this is an indication of the lack of an education with character in our political masters who may sound vibrant prophets but are in fact venomous snakes! Politics, on the other hand, does not imply an easy and soothing camaraderie of cheap conversation without critical perception of reality. Agreement among the opposing parties for the sake of maintaining cozy approachability is not even the ordinary human inter- relationship. Opposing views are required to arrive at a critical common ground. It is not to please each other but to birth the truth. Politics of agreement among the opposing parties may please the partners but can perpetuate unjust, discriminatory and immoral consciences work their way in maintaining status quo. Disagreements and opposing views, must be there in the political conversation, though it need not be a ‘win-lose’ platform. Political space for opposing viewpoints is to create a new society and serve the citizens in their respective sectors of life. If on the other hand different stand points, though opposing they may be, create a chaotic situation, become fundamentalists and a domineering force of autocracy, then politics is only for lions and tigers who cannot bear any annoyance whatsoever. Such is the political picture one has before the voters during this General Election in the country.

Politics is essential for governance, for development in all spheres, including human development and for sustaining harmony in diversity by providing space for conversation that transcends mere verbal communication. Politics is for the preservation of humanity and not for tarnishing others’ image, for intimidating the innocent, for domineering over the powerless, for heaping fabricated allegations against the opponent and for looking suspicious about the achievements of others. Today vendetta is the name of the game in political arena, particularly visible in the incumbent government. With its strong affinity with the ancient religion such as Hindu Dharma, the majoritarian government of today should have made a difference politically, socially, religiously and economically. Professing a sacred Dharma this government should have established Ram Rajya which Mahatma Gandhi envisioned for the country.

The government had a mighty numerical strength at the helm of affairs, but has failed miserably because of its involvement, not in developmental works, but in disturbing the peace, in dictating the independent machinery of the country the course it must take and in merging politics with mandir ideology. It is clear that politics of this kind is detrimental to human existence.

The ‘vibrant democracy’ is turning gradually into an “electoral autocracy” before our eyes. Unconcerned and uncritical citizens of this country are only encouraging the present religious wave with flags and slogans, and maintaining a safe distance from whatever happens to the country at large. A vibrant democracy implies critical and committed responsibility, not sluggishness and hiding behind a comfortable institutional and familial management. This indifference has encouraged policy makers to invade the individual human rights and suppress their freedom. Sadly enough, the elected ones, with no checks on their performance utter hate, divide minds, propagate religion and hunt for the innocent towards victimization. You call this ‘vibrant democracy’?

Our judiciary is aware of the malaise, the dishonesty, the cancer of hate in the country. It is wisely and cautiously, sternly and fiercely delivering justice to the marginalized. However, as critical thinkers who have close association with the judicial system and its personnel have observed, there is an erosion of values among some judges themselves. The judges also fear victimization by those who rule if they are just in accordance with the law. This is certainly disastrous to our democracy. As we witnessed in the past weeks, political pressures have obligated the Central Bank of India to hide facts from the judiciary and the public about Electoral Bonds accountability. However, in this case, the Supreme Court has not spared any agency other than hammering on the knuckles of the concerned personnel to disclose all facts. The independent agencies are weaponized to rout the foe, the Opposition. It is not a coincidence that the central agencies are arresting only the Opposition leaders on charges of corruption, and those who join hands with the ruling party are quickly let off. What an irony! Is this not a kind of nervousness of the government? Why freeze account of the Opposition leaders? Is it not to cripple their performance? In spite of the code of conduct established by the Election Commission, those who have obtained ticket to stand for the election throw unfounded and offensive statements about others in public, even naming them ‘terrorists’. Our General Election 2024 stands at the politics of cross-fire. Will there be again a ‘democracy of electoral autocracy’?