The Decline of Political Decorum in India: An Analysis of Modi's Impact

 The Decline of Political Decorum in India: An Analysis of Modi's Impact

The arrival of Narendra Modi on the national political stage in India has led to a marked transformation in the nature and tone of political discourse. This transformation has not been without controversy, as it has introduced several concerning elements, including aggressive name-calling on national media, the dissemination of misleading information by political leaders, and the use of government agencies to target opposition figures. These strategies appear to be designed to suppress dissent and prevent the opposition from raising important questions about governance and policy.

One of the most notable aspects of this political environment is the increased use of government institutions to intimidate and silence critics. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in particular, has been accused of targeting opposition leaders with fabricated charges. Recently, Rahul Gandhi reportedly received a warning that the ED was planning actions against him, which suggests a preemptive awareness of the government's tactics. There is speculation that, if such tactics were to continue, some officials within these agencies might resist illegal orders from political leaders, potentially forcing the government to adhere to lawful procedures. This scenario could embarrass the government and destabilize it, potentially leading coalition partners within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to withdraw their support, thus threatening the government's stability.

Modi's ascent to power was significantly bolstered by his promotion of the "Gujarat Model" as a successful template for national development. However, a closer examination reveals that this model's success may have been overstated. Gujarat, prior to Modi's tenure as Chief Minister, was already a prosperous state with a strong economic foundation. The state had experienced significant GDP growth in the 1990s, and its historical contributions to India's independence movement were notable, with figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hailing from the region.

During Modi's administration, while there were substantial public relations efforts to promote the state's development, the reality was more complex. The state's debt rose significantly from ₹34,000 crore in 2000 to ₹2.1 lakh crore in 2015. A similar pattern emerged at the national level, with India's debt increasing from ₹55 lakh crore to ₹215 lakh crore in less than a decade under Modi's leadership. Much of this debt was attributed to infrastructure projects, which often ended up benefiting private entities through mechanisms like toll collections, rather than delivering broad public benefits.

The Modi government's handling of criticism and dissent has been increasingly aggressive, with a reliance on misinformation and diversionary tactics. Public dissent has been evident in various incidents, such as the slap incident involving actress Kangana Ranaut at Mohali Airport and a shoe being thrown at Modi's car in Varanasi. These incidents reflect growing public frustration and anger towards the government's policies and actions.

A major concern among the public is the perceived manipulation of electoral processes by government agencies. Allegations have surfaced those institutions like the Election Commission of India (ECI), ED, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department (IT) may have been involved in altering election outcomes. These allegations include the possibility of votes being added in favor of the ruling party, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of recent elections. Such actions, if true, represent a grave threat to the democratic process and contribute to a widespread lack of trust in the government.

Despite significant opposition, Modi maintains a loyal base of supporters, often driven by religious and ideological convictions. This support base may not fully grasp the economic and social realities, often due to selective communication and aggressive PR campaigns. Overcoming this "religious blindness" is challenging, given the long history of political and religious leaders exploiting these sentiments for their gain.

The recent actions of government agencies to undermine opposition leaders further undermine the integrity of democratic processes. The continued support for Modi from coalition partners like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, despite speculation about their potential departure, suggests that these leaders may have their vulnerabilities, which the BJP has exploited to maintain power.

Within the BJP itself, there are signs of internal dissent. For example, Nitin Gadkari's questioning of the finance minister in parliament indicates awareness of issues within the party. However, his alignment with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and opposition to the Congress Party may prevent him from taking actions that could destabilize the government.

In conclusion, the current political landscape in India under Narendra Modi's leadership is characterized by a troubling blend of authoritarianism, economic mismanagement, and the manipulation of religious sentiments. This environment has resulted in a toxic political culture where dissent is stifled, and public trust in democratic institutions is eroded. As the opposition gains strength and becomes more vocal, the future of Indian democracy faces significant challenges.