An insight on what is at stake for secular India

As we, Indians, welcomed the beginning of a new era 2020 (the era which was supposed to bring the promised 'acha din'), it would be interesting to investigate the contemporary political discourse that pervades the country. Any impartial political observant committed to the democratic secular ethos of the Constitution of India would be alarmed at the way all the ideals that make up our country such as democracy, secularism, etc are under threat and all the political establishments that were built by Nehruvian era have been irrecoverably destroyed. Judiciary, Rule of Law, and every such institutions are being on the verge of complete annihilation.

This, coupled with the continuous electoral victories of the ruling party, would prompt us to ask this crucial question: Is India turned out to be a completely hopeless theocratic state with hundred per cent disregard for civil rights?

The answer is not so simple as one may imagine. Just look at the way AAP has managed to win the election. We would be able to appreciate the fact that our voters were not mesmerised by the fundamentalist bombardment of propaganda that pervaded the media. When Kejriwal brought out the "good governance"(acha din) as promised by him, people chose him.

So, is it so easy to convince the voters and bring back the secular forces to power? Before proceeding to answer either a 'yes' or a 'no', we need to know what were/are the problems of the dominant democratic secular political party of India, INC (Indian National Congress): dynasty, corruption, incompetency, identity politics? It invites a detailed analysis. 

(Will continue...)

Rahul: The King in Waiting

There are agreements and disagreements among political commentators on considering Gandhi’s role in India’s political struggle against the British. Some passionately argues that the contribution of Gandhi is unequivocal, his is the most. Whereas some others even criticize calling him ‘Father of the Nation’. In my opinion, Gandhi did some really great work for the nation, but the only thing he did wrong to the nation is selecting Nehru as the leader of the nation. It is because of his sole support, Nehru turned out to be an unquestionable leader in the modern India. The problem of Gandhi is not in supporting Nehru, but his lack of farsightedness, he failed to see that instead of democracy, we would get Nehru Dynasty in India. See the decision of CWC( Congress Working Committee) to select Rahul Gandhi as the next leader of Congress and therefore, the nation.

The leaders representing the nation should not have any other interest other than national interest. If we check this decision based on this criteria, what argument do they have in support of Rahul. How he can lead the country in the most difficult days? Does he prove himself in any way in the past? Does he have any leadership quality? Is he an able orator, or an efficient administrator? We can’t give any positive answers to these questions without a shadow of doubt. The problem is that Indian National Congress is not a democratic party. If the party is democratic, the leaders will have some kind of national interests instead of vested interest. If that was the case, even the name of Rahul won’t be there in the Congress.
We need a change. The real challenge that lies in front of India is not Pakistan, not terrorism, not economic issues, but making India a democratic secular nation.