The Dirty Reality of Indian Politics: Part -II
4. Economists Say "Crony Capitalism on Steroids is a Real Threat."
Raghuram Rajan (former RBI Governor) and Kaushik Basu (former Chief Economic Adviser) have continuously pointed out that corruption and the buildup of power are consuming India’s growth.
Rajan warned that India is not holding government officials accountable enough when they react harshly.
• He saw India’s political economy as one where the mafia and corporations support each other.
According to the scholarships, Electoral Bonds and the takeover of watchdog institutions are main causes of corruption and inequality.
5. Few news organisations remain, yet they still shout their messages to the public.
Despite widespread corruption in Indian media, The Wire, Scroll, Caravan and News laundry remain some of the few outlets daring to show incidents of the government abusing its power and elites working together.
Looking into the group’s close connections to influential people
• Insights into how ED, CBI and IT groups are treated as objects for political purposes
Examining how media outlets can be biassed and how companies sometimes threaten by advertising
They are not just rumours from the tabloids. They are created with factual information and too often the journalists making them are threatened, harassed or kept from earning enough.
6. Pressure on Academics and Think Tanks Has Increased
Experts affiliated with Indian universities and leading global institutions such as Harvard, LSE and Columbia have started to worry about:
There is a growing threat to academic freedom.
• Adding bias to school books
• Spying on professors who criticise or have opposing views and school activists
Now, those experts who write about voting, caste clashes or media freedom find themselves banned from foreign travel, targeted with police complaints or subjected to online harassment.
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Are We Trying to Listen?
These aren’t just something people are making up. I’m not critiquing from a political point of view. This is information from leading experts, both here in the country and abroad, based on data. They continue to deal with:
• Claims made by the government to explain away accusations
• There are troll campaigns against professional experts.
• Deeming someone an anti-national or urban naxal
India’s situation is critical and those in the know are warning us based on what they see and predict. However, because rhetoric and division rule the nation, being truthful has become a defiance of the system.
The bottom line: if you stick with the music, you’re widening your circle, but if you neglect it, you’ll be sorry forever.
Often, nations disregarded their truth-tellers, only realising the mistake after a catastrophe. You can find clear examples of democratic decline in Germany, Venezuela, Turkey and Hungary.
India has not yet crossed the point of no return. Time will eventually run out. Warnings don’t stay active forever. Refusing to pay attention to experts today does not refute what they say—it will only make our mistake that much more serious tomorrow.
Democracy survives better when people see its good sides. Denial is what kills it.
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Questions on the Future of Democracy: What Ways Can Democracy Be Salvaged?
Readers will appreciate this informed new section on “Can Democracy Be Saved?”, aiming to request action urgently but carefully, realistically and with attention-grabbing points.
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Is there a way to restore democracy?
Once the rot, corruption and downfall of the institution are recognised, the most urgent question that matters is if we can recover. Can the government take steps to revive India’s democracy or is this country’s great republic already nearing its end?
- While the answer is complex, there is one point: rescue can be done, but it needs commitment, information and guts.
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- 1. India’s Strong Traditions of Democracy
- India’s democracy began as a strong legacy a century ago, thanks to the stubborn efforts of its people. From people who opposed imperialism to those who established the Constitution, democracy is deeply part of Indian culture.
- A lot of citizens, activists, students, journalists and sincere officials continue to demand openness, fairness and good governance, despite the opposition.
- The way in which Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement and the 2019 farmer protests stood together makes it clear that people can unite around one common goal._______________________________________
- 2. Supporting Institutions Is the Main Focus
- Institutions should be repaired, modernised and made independent of political interest which forms the foundation of rescue:
- Building a system that ensures quicker justice, more independence and open procedures for selecting judges
- • Introducing new rules that stop criminals from running in elections, limit anonymous funding and require strict control over how campaigns share financial details
• Preventing politics from playing a role in how civil services function and favouring merit over connections
• Regulating public funds used in advertising as well as supporting journalists and public issues journalism
In order to recover cheques and balances, watchdogs, civil groups and the judiciary must all cooperate.
3. Learning about Civic Engagement
If people are uninformed, unquestioning or not involved, a democracy cannot continue.
Teaching critical thinking, values from the constitution and how to use media should be stressed in schools and universities.
Civil society organisations can move forward by including those on the edges, organising them and inspiring more involvement than just casting a ballot
• Digital tools give the public a chance to challenge misinformation and support local protesters
Young people aren’t simply our future; they are already fighting for democracy.
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4. Technology and the Opening-Up of Company Details
The use of technology in society can help reduce corruption and make everything clearer.
Introducing block chain in government purchasing and benefits to do away with middle parties
• Reinforcing the RTI Act and making sure that government organisations share information before they are asked
• Applying data and AI to cheque government expenditure, funds for elections and cases having delays in the courts
So, while we use technology for good, we need to pay attention to protecting both our privacy and freedom, alongside responsibility.
5. Willingness by Political Leaders and Responsibility
- Good intentions, laws, rules and projects have little value without politicians behind them. This means:
- Parties should follow principles of democracy, merit and transparency within their organisation
• People should continuously scrutinise their elected leaders, show their dissatisfaction with protests and support honest candidates through their votes
The Election Commission, CBI and Comptroller and Auditor General ought to be protected from any bias and operate freely и
Our political progress starts on Election Day, but it is not finished after that point.
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6. Confirmation from Other Countries
The world community should participate by:
• Improving the cooperation of democratic groups and civil organisations
• After engaging in the UN Human Rights Council, the group held India accountable
• Backing media organisations that work on their own and heightening awareness for human rights defenders threatened by violence
India’s democracy is important not only to Indians—it is a model for the world.
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We Have to Decide
Meeting challenges will be tough and success isn’t always certain. Democracy has to undergo care, effort and change regularly. Powerful, established forces are eroding India’s democracy and are fighting to stay alive.
Yet the unity of the population is just as important.
For India’s democracy to be spared, its people have to stop acting as observers and begin protecting it themselves. Being honest about what’s right when lies are the norm. To ensure justice is done when those in power defend criminals. Selecting hope over feelings of despair.
In Short, Democracy Means Doing Something
No one is born with it. You have to battle daily for it. It comes from speaking up, facing hardships and knowing how to come together.
The debate now centres on how to save democracy. It depends on whether we will come to its defence.
This means the time is right for action now.
India is at a point where important changes await. Closely held notions of justice, liberty and equality—written into our Constitution and kept alive over the years by generations of Americans—are now at risk. Corruption, criminal activities and abuses of leadership could turn our living democracy into something meaningless.
Democracy has not passed away. It exists through the actions of those who expose truthful information. It is honored by journalists who endanger themselves to tell the truth. It exists because citizens are strong and want justice and fairness.
Keeping quiet is more expensive than standing up for yourself.
Should we refuse to act, ignore the danger or embrace hopelessness, we rob both our ancestors and the future generation of what they deserve in India.
However, if we join forces, are well educated and hold strong, our democracy will be restored.
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You have a voice which makes you strong.
Each vote that is sincere, every marched protest and call for transparency weakens corruption.
Responsible use of your right to hold politicians accountable.
• Ensure to back independent media and organizations that watch government activity.
• Make sure you and those around you are aware of what is expected from us all in society.
Don’t fall for apathy or empty words, pick truth instead.
Democracy does not work when people sit on the sidelines. You must be involved and give your best effort to achieve change.
Support the Pledge for India
India’s future is not set in stone. Every choice and action we take helps shape it every day.
Let’s do our best to save our democracy before it is past the point of no return.
It is because India’s soul depends on it.
Because India’s growth is centred around it.
For the reason that we hope to do right by ourselves and future generations.
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The problem of corruption permeates India’s political system. Almost 43% of those currently in the Lok Sabha have been accused of crimes, including murder and kidnapping. They are the ones responsible for creating laws that support citizens, but numerous politicians get away with serious crimes. Data collected by Association for Democratic Reforms in 2019 was used for this analysis.
India’s reputation around the world is shaped by the crisis. India was placed 93rd by Transparency International in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, mainly because many areas of public life are tainted by corruption.
It is very clear that Electoral Bonds help conceal the sources of political funding. Ever since 2018, over ₹15,000 crore in anonymous donations have made their way to parties and 89% of this amount were given to the ruling BJP. All this hidden money makes it look like candidates are bidding in auctions, not seeking votes during elections. (ADR analysis)
Battling corruption is expensive for a country. The nation has lost at least ₹7.5 lakh crore or $100 billion, because of corrupt and inefficient government schemes in the past decade. This money which belongs to the people, has gone from government use to personal pockets. Comptroller and Auditor General of India
There are clear signs of inequality in the justice system, as well. Out of all those in gaol until trial, most are there because they cannot afford a lawyer or pay for bail and often end up staying in gaol for years. At the same time, politicians with criminal records manage to stay protected and strong in their roles. Data comes from the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2022 report.
Our democracy is now at risk. The latest Varieties of Democracy report switched India from being called a “Flawed Democracy” to an “Electoral Autocracy”, reflecting a clear contraction of democracy.
About 230 million Indians continue to live in poverty, meaning they lack income as well as education, health and clean water. When funds supporting welfare are misused, long waits and people being left out continue to make the poor suffer. This data comes from the (Global MPI)
Grave difficulties confront the children of India even as they grow up. With only one toilet in every three government schools and half of Grade 5 students unable to read Grade 2 material, the start of progress is being frustrated. ASER Report for 2023.
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“The price good men pay for indifference to
public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
— Plato
India has a strong democracy—but it can still face challenges. We have to guard freedom, not with words, but by paying attention. It’s led not by those in office, but by the people. It’s the perfect time to tidy up your mind. The problem is serious—but the resolve of the population can go even deeper.
There is more to the next election than just pushing a button on an electronic device. It’s a decision issued by the law.
A good future is only possible if we care about biodiversity.
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