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Politics: Can India Truly Be Called A Democracy?



Fact: All politicians’ children become politicians.

Fact: Every person who enters politics on pull comes in at the highest possible level without ever having done any work – especially for people – or having proved themselves worthy in any way.

Fact: In Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest Indian States, the ruling government was formed by a party with less than 30% votes – on the strength of coalitions.

Fact: India has had only coalition governments at the National level in the past two decades – 20 years.

Fact: The only movement by the civil society in the recent times in India has been the India Against Corruption movement. On the days the rally was held in New Delhi, both Houses debated the Janlokpal Bill. After that – nada. No bill. No debate. No nothing.

Fact: All politicians have to declare their assets when they file their candidacy with the Election Commission. However, there is no fallout for the politician/s who filed falsehoods. No fraud punishment.

Fact: Politicians do not come under the purview of RTI. So even when everyone knows that there is mischief afoot, the politician is not answerable or accountable to the people. Ditto for all those associated with politicians and their hoarding of wealth and assets.

Fact: One of the most important members of the CBI described the agency as a “caged parrot”.

Fact: India has been riddled with scams in the past decade and a half. All scams include politicians of high standing in the corridors of power. The cases go on endlessly. The misbegotten wealth is never returned to the public exchequer. Eventually, the money just disappears from the country which slips further into a mire of dire need.

Fact: Democracy as neatly described in the movie Satyagraha: “Janta sarkar ki malik hai. Malik nirdesh deta hai. Maang nahin karta”.

Can India Truly Be Called A Democracy?