Is India an Illiberal Democracy or on course to Democratic backsliding?

Despite the vicissitudes or numerous challenges confronted by fledgling democracy – Young Democracy, but old Civilization - during the past 75 years, Modern India’s democracy remain vibrant considering the round the lock – 24x365 elections buzz – and choicest abuses or expletives (0ver 80 of them) invoked against the Prime minister of India, Modi.

Way back in early 1960s, Sweden’s Professor Gunnar Myrdal, Nobel Prize Winner, in his book “Asian Drama: An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations and The Challenge of World Poverty” highlighted India as a “SOFT STATE”.

What is a “soft state”? Myrdal had a definition ready with him. He illustrated a soft state in terms of a set of characteristics. These inter-alia include 1) various types of social indiscipline which manifest themselves by deficiencies in legislation and, in particular, law observance and enforcement, 2) a widespread disobedience by public officials and, 3) often, their collusion with powerful persons and groups... whose conduct they should regulate. Vested interests play a vital role in soft state. Galbraith wrote, “Ideas may be superior to vested interest. They are also very often the children of vested interest.”

Following Professor Galbraith, former Ambassador to India from 1961 to 1963, the opprobrium or description of India’s democracy as “FUNCTIONAL ANARCHY” in his book “Affluent Society” remains true even till date.

In retrospect, the Myrdal and Galbraith summation of India’s political scene way back in 1950s and 1960s – Soft State and Functional Anarchy - is quite appropriate to the current India’s internal scenario.

Historically, Delhi, current national capital, is famed for intrigue, treachery and corruption. Delhi is also viewed derisively as “Dallalon Ke Sahar”. Who is responsible for Delhi claiming such a notorious fame for itself? Ipso facto, people of Delhi are the most literate; but behave worse than the most illiterate.

People of Delhi – the most well informed - are squarely responsible for setting the “lead or trend of vicious politics” on grand display.

For example, the behavior of the members of the Parliament is becoming more and more atrocious. Now, it has spilled over into the Delhi Municipal Corporation chambers with so called elected members indulging in a “free-for-all” battle, particularly the scenes of women members fighting against each other. In retrospect, the pandemonium inside the chamber relayed on all TV channels is worse than the “Galli Politics or Fisherwomen brawls” in markets.

Next, Bhagawant Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party Chief Minister of Punjab, bending over backwards to appease the Amritpal and his Khalistan followers attack on the Police cops and Station in Ajnala, Punjab, by releasing his aide, clearly exposes how “Punjab is a Soft State”. Not only lack of political will by the Punjab State Government in the most sensitive border State, but also by the Central Government at Delhi. Is this the next stage of eruption of “Bhindranwale” type Khalistan movement?

Never too late for the State and the Central Governments to conjointly act against all known Khalistan movement leaders and their followers! Otherwise, Punjab will revert back to 1980’s.

Add to it, Bihar Cooperative Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Surendra Prasad Yadav calling the “Agniveers” as “Eunuchs”. Casting such vicious abuses against the Army is highly condemnable. And, the real ‘Eunuch” in this case is his Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for not asking him to resign. In retrospect, all the political leaders hailing from Bihar over the past 75-years for maintaining Bihar as the BIMARU State are the real “Eunuchs”. It is a pity to see the “Bihari” labor as captive slaves working 12-hours under the real estate houses not only in Hyderabad but also in the rest of the country. Bihar, the seat of “Ancient Indian Civilization” astride the “Holy River Ganges and its tributaries” remains a BIMARU state.

Not to be left out is the gruesome murder of Lance Naik Prabhu while on leave by the DMK goons over a trivial issue. And Stalin, the Chief Minister or his Prince-in-Waiting, silence over taking action the murderers clearly reflects that the security of its army personnel whilst on leave is their least concern. Their sole concern is the retention of power and security of their cadres.

In this case, even the Judiciary is “Soft”. Why the Judiciary, both at the Supreme Court and High Court, have not taken ‘suo motto’ notice and passed a directive to fast track the criminal case by a special court?

Finally, the drama played out by Pawan Khera, spokesperson of the Congress Party, and the senior Congress Party leaders at the Delhi Airport, also exposes the status of “Soft State” of modern India. Not only, lack of political will and appeasement politics are the norms of the day by political leaders and parties, but also the judiciary and the law enforcing agencies are equally “Soft” contributing or perpetrating to the current absurd state of modern India – almost virtual paralysis.

Viewed in the above foreground of events erupting on daily basis, Indian Democracy is certainly not illiberal democracy as alleged by internal political hoodlums or external agencies and nations.

Had India been “Illiberal Democracy” or on the course of it, by now all the internal political hoodlums would have been behind bars or eliminated as happens in countries like China.

However, Indian democracy is “Backsliding”. And all political parties and leaders are equally responsible for the inevitable collapse of democracy in India. So, it is never too late for mid-course correction of political discourse and sanity to prevail amongst political parties, leaders and their followers.

Finally, the ultimate responsibility and accountability rests on “We the People '' of India to consign those political parties and leaders indulging in vicious no-holds barred “Galli Politics” to the dustbin of history to restore the modicum of democracy. Take all the ‘freebies” during pre-election campaigns, but throw the pretenders into the dust bin. It is the only way to redeem the prospects of democracy in modern India.

Article by GB Reddy Sir