Democracy in decline

As politicians openly flaunt their power, Indians are fast-losing faith in their leaders’ abilities to protect democratic values

By DILIP JADEJA

It is surprising that no international media have significantly focussed on the significant loss of democratic values in India during the past few years of the Congress regime.

Let me enumerate some of the outstanding cases of loss of freedom and democratic values. Just search “rape case in Delhi”, “rape case in Mumbai” or, “rape case in Noida or Gudgaon”, and it will be clear why leaving the house even in broad daylight is fraught with fear by many women. Some high profile sons of MPs and business leaders, and officers of the government including the police, are involved in several cases as prime suspects. Most cases have produced precious little outcomes to stop the crime wave or let the victims feel vindicated.

Clout…literally

While no one appears to have done much to capture and punish the criminals, the government’s elected leaders have no qualms at all in advocating the use and incitement of violence for even simple acts of others that they find objectionable. Take for example Digvijay Singh, General Secretary of the Congress. He publicly praised those who took the law in their hands and bashed a teacher brandishing footwear at a Congress spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi at a press conference recently. “They did right, and what was needed,” said Singh, of the bashing. During his video comments to NDTV broadcast on June 9, Digvijay Singh not only praised that action but when asked if he was one of those who was involved in the bashing, he had the temerity to ask if such matters were to be revealed on TV!

In a separate incident, Mahidpur Ujjain District Congress MLA Dr Kalpana Parulekar threatened to “break hands and feet” of Congress MP Premchand Guddu for his critique of another MP and Minister! Dr Kalpana’s utterances were broadcast by NDTV on June 13.  All these incidents to show a significant loss of tolerance amongst the Congress’ high profile public office holders and elected leaders, and that clearly begs the question: so what examples of values in public life are they setting to the people of India?

Several folks investigating the role of the so-called ‘oil mafia’ in Maharashtra are now killed. This includes Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane who was burnt alive, recorded live, when he had been following up a red-handed lead. Bombay Mid Day reporter J Dey was killed with nine bullets, five going through his chest, and again fingers were pointed to the oil mafia. He was killed in broad daylight at 3pm, when travelling on his motorbike. The ‘Oil Mafia’ is said to be worth Rs10,000 crore (A$ 2 billion) annually, and allegedly they make most of their money by adulterating carbon fuels. J Dey’s investigative journalism was discomforting for some deep-rooted interests, it is widely speculated.

The price of peace

As to the prospect of anyone opposing the actions of the criminals or inaction of the government, what happened with Baba Ramdev or what is happening with Anna Hazare, are good pointers. Baba Ramdev was planning a peaceful fasting demonstration in Delhi Ramlila ground against proliferating corruption. At first the government tried to win him over but when it failed, the result was a ban. Why would a democratic government ban a democratic protest is a good question. A video report showed the police tear-gassing and clubbing protestors, including defenceless women. When Anna Hazare followed up the protest against corruption by his one day token fast at Mahatma Gandhi’s shrine in Rajghat, some in the government accused him of being a stooge of the opposition! Anna Hazare is asking for proper drafting and passing of an Anti-corruption Ombudsman Bill and his demand is that the bill’s purview should include the Ministers and the Prime Minister for investigations against corruption matters involving them.  The government would rather that not be the case!

Shocking statistics

Corruption in India has reached monumental proportions and it is global public knowledge that Indian money piled up in Swiss banks now exceeds the best part of a trillion dollars. Some have estimated that Indian GDP is being underestimated by 30% due to these black transactions, and if properly captured in public accounting, this sum of money could not only reduce the debt service ratio of the Indian government significantly, but it can also reduce interest payments which are an unnecessary and unproductive drag, freeing up huge amounts of money for good investment for the public. The strengthening of the economy and of the rupee that would follow, can curb India’s import bills, reduce interest rate burden and promote strong, sustainable growth. The government however, is not keen to think along these lines and therefore continues to be overwhelmed by black economy and corruption issues.

In the meantime, though the whole country agrees that Manmohan Singh is a clean PM, few believe that he is effective any more. His planning commission days’ goodwill is well overspent. Most Indians dislike the idea that he is a selected PM and not an elected one, because he was appointed to the Rajya  Sabha so that he could be appointed by the Congress to be the PM. He was never elected as an MP or a PM, as such. All these issues have tarnished the real value of Indian democratic values which are fast declining, and so is the government.