Prof Mithilesh Kumar Sinha
Department of Economics, Nagaland University, Lumami
Now-a day, it has become common to call every little thing a threat to democracy. This discourse surrounding democratic backsliding in India has reached a fever pitch due to the general elections held in 19 April to 1 June, 2024. Now question arises: “Is democracy in danger in the country?” There has been a huge debate on this matter on social media since the last Lok Sabha elections. However, the parties in opposition have always been accusing the ruling party that democracy is in danger in the country. But the surprising thing is that this issue never became so big that even common people got involved in the debate. Be it the Twitter handle of Congress or the party leaders, they have often been making such allegations, but there has never been a debate among the common people regarding 'democracy is in danger'.
At present, no matter which party is in power in India, democracy in the country has successively been only becoming stronger. Apart from Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, India has also seen the rule of 5 Prime Ministers in the country. But democracy has become increasingly stronger in every government. The most important basis of democracy is the judiciary, which is still working with full authority in India. There are many cases in which the judiciary has given decisions against the government. If there was a dictator ruling the country, would it have been possible that the Chandigarh Mayor election would have been canceled and recounted? The way the court cornered the government and canceled the law on electoral bonds, is this possible in an undemocratic country? As long as there is independence of the judiciary in the country, there is no doubt that democracy is in danger.
Governments are elected democratically, if people get angry then the government changes. Governments are being elected democratically in the country. Since the coming of the NDA government in 2024, the number of times the opposition has formed governments in the states is not less.
If there was no freedom of press, would anyone be able to say that democracy is being murdered? There is no freedom of press. Could the country's PM be called a dictator even while sitting abroad? Not only these days, not only political party leaders but even small YouTubers are comparing the elected Prime Minister of the country with Hitler. Some people call their country's PM illiterate and illiterate, while others forcibly write about his personal life on social media. . If there was no freedom of press, would we have been able to watch the live telecast of the Chandigarh Mayor scandal?
It is alleged that protests are suppressed in the country. No one must have forgotten the farmers' movement of 2022. Would it have been possible in an undemocratic country to launch such a huge movement and get the three agricultural bills withdrawn? There have been many farmer movements in the country before. How many farmers have lost their lives in police firing?
Misuse of ED and CBI As far as the misuse of ED and CBI was concerned, if the country's democracy was in danger, it would have ended long ago. Mulayam was instrumental in keeping the government afloat during the UPA government and getting many important bills passed. The noose of excess income and property was tightened on the Singh family. Even a small child of Mulayam Singh Yadav family was not spared.
Those who vehemently oppose Narendra Modi prefer sensationalism fuelled by disinformation and distortion. India must heed lessons from history, where foreign narratives have often shaped its story. In the era of Artificial Intelligence, we have an opportunity to undo the damage and craft a discourse that authentically reflects India’s unique identity and aspirations.