The world is likely to witness several momentous changes, and India needs to brace itself to not only deal with them but also fulfil its vision of emerging as a developed, democratic country with matching global clout. It cannot be denied that there is a dire need for introspection and course correction. In her Republic Day address to the nation, President Droupadi Murmu reiterated that the Indian Constitution was a “foundational document” and that the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in it define the Republic.
Amidst fears and doubts regarding the future of the Constitution, it was heartening to note that the President made the point unequivocally, and the hope is that the government will follow the Constitution in letter and spirit.
The Narendra Modi government has been in power since 2014 and with an enviable mandate, opportunity and power to reshape India as per Hindutva ideology. There has been a healthy tussle between two competing ideas of India – the Nehruvian and the Hindutva idea. Both have their flaws and fault lines.
The Nehruvian idea had laid the foundation for a modern, secular and united republic. It was progressive, forward-looking and celebrated a scientific temper. The Hindutva idea is more focused on reversing historical wrongs, restoring the lost glory and establishing the Hindu hegemony. In politics, it paves the way for a unitary form of government, which undermines federalism and excessive centralisation of executive power in one or two persons. It adversely affects religious and other minorities and also linguistic diversity.
There is ample evidence of the increase in hatred and acrimony in general, and religious divisiveness and bigotry in particular, among many sections of society. Secondly, in politics, the pursuit of absolute power through amoral and immoral means has been shrinking the space for a healthy political opposition, which does not augur well for an electoral democracy.
The nation is fast degenerating into what the V-Dem Institute has characterised as “electoral autocracy”.
Another worrying aspect is the seeping of election calculations into every aspect of government and governance. For instance, in the President’s speech, it is difficult not to notice the selective and calculated references to Subramanya Bharati, Sri Narayana Guru, Rabindranath Tagore, Aurobindo, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and his Vande Mataram.
Likewise, merit apart, the selection of Padma awardees appears to have been done with an eye on making electoral gains in Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal. Only voters can make the party mend its ways in the national interest.
Despite some notable achievements in economic development, poverty and inequality persist, and the fact that nearly 81 crore people continue to be dependent on the government for food is a testament to the failure of critical policy and implementation. On the other hand, the gap between the rich and the poor is not only widening, but in many key sectors, there are unhealthy oligarchy tendencies, and they are increasingly being dominated by de facto duopolies.
The Indigo airline crisis has rung the timely alarm bells.
Without defence preparedness, a strong and equitable economy, adequate space and level-playing field for a healthy opposition in politics and a bipartisan approach to foreign policy, India will not be able to emerge as a major power and be able to navigate the choppy and turbulent waters of global politics.