Narendra Modi, with his consecutive majorities, has been promising India a never-seen resurgence. What we are seeing, at the same time, is a return to that old, familiar ‘door hato ai duniya waalo, Hindustan hamara hai (stay away, world, hands off my India)’ neurosis.
In just over two weeks, we have seen the British High Commissioner summoned for admonition because his Parliament discussed India’s farmers’ protests. The government and its more vocal supporters, at many levels, took self-righteous umbrage at a Western and foreign (US)-funded foundation like Freedom House downgrading Indian democracy from free to partly free.
This happened for the first time in nearly 25 years, the last being in the 1990s, when India was fighting simultaneous insurgencies in Kashmir and Punjab and other crises. Since then, India’s ratings had been improving. But, in the past nine years, they’ve fallen by a good nine points. Which is the difference between bringing up the rear of the free category and wallowing at the top of the partly free.
This wound on our national pride was still bleeding when Sweden’s V-DEM foundation took the salt-shaker to it and declared India to be an electoral autocracy. Again, it is a fully foreign and foreign-funded foundation.
This came in the wake of the earlier scrap with Canada over Justin Trudeau’s sympathetic statements on the farmers’ protests. Then, as with the British Parliament now, India saw vote bank (read immigrant Sikh voters) politics driving the politicians.
Then, there were more ungainly protests over tweets from activist Greta Thunberg, Kamala Harris’s niece Meena Harris, singer Rihanna, and actor Susan Sarandon supporting the farmers’ protests. The toolkit circulated by Thunberg was seen as some new agenda by foreign forces to break up India.
The way things are going, however, Sweden had better brace for some trouble. Here is a conspiracy theory I suggest: Thunberg is Swedish, as is V-DEM and bus-maker Scania, which just released a report saying its executives paid bribes to officials in India. Three is a straight line. So, it is a Swedish conspiracy against Modi. Ok it’s a joke. We need to specify in these humourless times. But then, remember, it was a Swedish inquiry that caught out Bofors for paying cuts in India and destroyed the Congress.
Also Read: There’s no stopping Modi govt because Rahul Gandhi is flaunting his muscles as Congress sinks
The central objection to these bursts of international scrutiny and criticism is, who are these foreigners to judge us? What do they know? Why should they interfere in our internal affairs? Their methodology must be wrong and biased.
This is quaint for a nation that, at least for three decades now, has reached out to globalise with open arms and gained from it. It was in the same spirit in 2007 that India had worked closely with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to declare ‘India Everywhere’ as the theme at Davos 2007.
You might say that was in the silly UPA era. That a new no-nonsense new India is rising now, one that couldn’t care about what the world thinks of it. We know what we are doing, and you mind your own business.
Then you tune into trouble. Because, we celebrate every upgrade in global rankings. The prime minister himself makes such a big deal of India’s rising position in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings. See, the world is acknowledging our success.
Or the rise into the top-50 (to 48 from 52) in the Global Innovation Index (GII). There are also happy noises when India’s global rankings go up anywhere, from the number of start-ups growing into unicorns to Global Employability Rankings (to 15 from 23).
When you enjoy this global praise, you’ve also got to deal with setbacks. The decline on the hunger index, although I believe it would be apt to rename it the Global Nutrition Index. The slide on the Press Freedom Index, struggling Human Development Indicators. These are a reality as much as the rising ranking on Ease of Doing Business. Can we pick and choose?
That takes us right back to the ‘foreign hand’, ‘the world is ganging up on us’ mindset of Indira Gandhi’s 1970s. Or, even backwards by several decades to an old, siege mentality. Poet Iqbal, in his ‘Sare jahan se achcha…’ rues that the world has been our enemy for centuries (sadiyon raha hai dushman, daur-e-zaman hamara).
There’s much celebration when the prime minister gets a foreign award. These can be from governments: Donald Trump, President of the US, which also funds ‘evil’ Freedom House, honoured Modi with his Legion of Merit for enhancing our strategic partnership. Saudi Arabia, Order of Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Grand Collar of the State of Palestine; Afghanistan, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan; UAE, Order of Zayed; Maldives, Order of Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen; Russia, Order of St. Andrew, and so on.
If these are sovereign nations, there are the UN agencies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with Champion of the Earth Award, foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates’s ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’ for Swachh Bharat Mission, and in our view, very well deserved.
We don’t like criticism from foreign media because it is so biased? We didn’t complain in 2014 and 2016, when Time magazine named Modi as their Person of the Year. The same Time, now in the doghouse, contributed to the rising Modi legend in 2012 by featuring him on the cover with the headline ‘Modi Means Business’. Then he was promoting his ‘Gujarat Model’.
Leading global business magazine Fortune, meanwhile, listed him at 5 in 2015 in its list of the World’s Greatest Leaders. Forbes, viciously critical of Modinomics since demonetisation, routinely lists him high in its Most Powerful People in the World rankings. It was 15th in 2014 and then 9th in 2015, 2016, 2018.
Foreign corporates, you can list the Kotler Award and now the CERAWeek award. CERAWeek, by the way, is the name of an annual, week-long conference of a large oil, gas and energy consultancy founded by author and domain expert Daniel Yergin. The name of the consultancy is Cambridge Energy Research Associates or CERA. It is based in Massachusetts.
The short point is, if praise and adulation from this full range of foreign bodies is acceptable, why such resentment over criticism? The world acknowledges India and its current leadership for its popularity and energy. For heaven’s sake, even Madame Tussauds has put up Modi’s wax statue. But the same world then also has expectations from a democratic India. And when it sees these not being met, it complains. It deserves a hearing, not to be kicked in the shins.
And please don’t tell me if things were so bad how could you get away with writing this article? That I can write this and probably get away surely means not everything is lost. We are still a democracy. But our flaws are deepening. Or, you wouldn’t have Disha Ravi in jail and this breathtaking new set of injunctions on digital news media.
Also Read: Habeas Porcus — how our judiciary is murdering the principle of ‘bail, not jail’ routinely
The truth, regrettably, is that we have been in this place before. The ‘foreign hand’ of the 1970s returned in the late 1980s as Rajiv Gandhi’s troubles increased and he threatened to teach these foreign malcontents a lesson they won’t forget: “Nani yaad dila denge.”
In the 1990s, it got worse, with persistent attacks from global human rights activists, foundations, and governments. Remember, this was when US Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphel was demonised for daring to suggest that the Instrument of Accession in Kashmir wasn’t final.
From there, we have reached a place where America is a ‘natural strategic ally’. The alliance is growing into the Quad. India is also eyeing entry, at some point, into the elite Five Eyes grouping. The promise is of building a $5 trillion economy sooner than you imagine. The aspiration is to be a global power, economically, strategically and morally, the Vishwaguru.
And then we become so prickly at the mildest suggestion of disagreement or criticism. This is the very definition of how you let yourselves down.
Also Read: Modi govt has lost farm laws battle, now raising Sikh separatist bogey will be a grave error
Constructive criticism about a countries policy is welcomeing.
Not about a law passed in parliament. It should not be encouraged.
KRN: Laws are not set in stone. Even the Constitution gets amended.
What you fail to see is that in the current autocratic set-up, the top-down manner in which laws are made and thrust down the throats of people without debate and stakeholder involvement causes resentment and rage. But then, these finer points of statecraft are not exactly taught in an RSS shaka are they ?
Mia Khalifa had also supported the Farmers protest. You didn’t mention her name. Why ?
Do not be led astray by foreign honours. All govts. spend millions on “phoren awards” that are a consequence of ” you scratch my back, I will scratch yours”! Always take such awards with a pinch of salt and with some wine, if possible.
The gullible public has no idea of the intense strategic planning and marketing beig done across the globe by politicians to get a foothold on the victory stand!
Nice article.But why unnecessarily go to Iqbal and Saare Jahan se. It was early 1900. He could have meant invaders historically. Openness was no where in the world in that era.Otherwise fully agree with the article.
Constructive Criticism is always welcome.
No one including Modi Ji gets angry by constructive criticism.
But nowadays everything & anything with MODI label is criticized without any reason.
Especially opposition in India is for OPPOSING !
The writer must know Modi Ji by now. Modi Ji just ignores so called leutyen media & keeps on doing KARMA ! which ultimately counts & keeps on earning approval of majority Indians winning elections after elections !
When notebandi done, my mother was first to wait in a queue for 2000 bucks. But when vaccine came, I was first to take it – Lohpurush.
I have promised 2 crore jobs but never mentioned that i will take out or give. I just take them out. Journalists crying – Hypocrats
When Crude was $160, Petrol was 80. I had promised that ‘Bahot ho gayi petrol-diesel ki mar, abki bar’ and I reversed the trend. Now crude is $60 and Petrol is 100 – Why you are crying ?
Promised doubling the economy in 5 years. Just see it will be / 2. Never mentioned that it will be division or multiplication.
Worked very hard for ‘Ease of doing business’. Now you must have read that more than 10500 companies cannot do the business easily and they got closed.
I will say Paribortan. Shubendu will say she recited the mantras wrongly. People don;t understand Poribortan. Jai Shri Ram.
I always tell that when there is double engine Govt. you will see the progress. Karnataka is the example how double engine works. 10 MLAs are watching it Mobile instead of CD from anywhere anytime. DOUBLE ENGINE.
Don’t call me Anti national. Give answers to this questions logically.
Mr Shekhar Gupta is an irrepressible obscurantist.He says we should tolerate criticism along with praise.Nothing wrong with that.But you must look at who is criticising us and for what reason.Do they have any basis for this criticism or is part of western media’s crooked anti Indian attitude.Anything anti.India is being supported by agencies like CNN , BBC etc who are reputed for parochial journalism.If we are convinced that we are on the right path, then we must reject such criticism stridently.All these indexes run by foreign agencies are simply based on their biased approach to India and must be rejected at any cost.
What’s wrong in that? No one likes criticism. Specially a destructive cliche criticism. Destructive criticism will not take anyone to anywhere. The main criticism Modi faces is about less of democracy in India, Muslims are in danger etc. But in reality these completely false and baseless, they are just Western propaganda. So who cares?
These machinations by UK and Canada are guided by vote politics in their respective countries. There is no element of truth or understanding in their assertions. As such they have been correctly reprimanded by India. Modiji is rightfully being assertive because if left unchecked these issues could spiral out of control.
The replies are very saddening…..why are we getting so stressed over different country’s or organization’s thoughts on India’s internal issues if you think they know nothing about the topic? Please do not say that foreigners will think badly of India as I have been to Europe and India is only in their news whenever there is a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Foreigners look down on India because they had not be corrected for their absolutely wrong views formed by persistent propaganda by the enemies of India.
Excellent article!
It requires a rare quality called equanimity to raise above both praise and criticism. Easy to preach equanimity but hard to practice as it calls for mastery over emotions. Politics is the art of managing other people’s emotions and no politician (whatever the political party) will let go a chance to (mis)use emotions that have mass appeal.
You really need to come out of this colonial mindset SG. India (or Modi’s India like you’d like to refer) is making an effort to do it. We don’t need anyone’s rating to live peacefully. Frankly, why would I care about a global rating when I know that I can step out safely without worrying about a bomb attack in a major city? Other countries condemn it and move on, we lose dear ones. Foreign media card about human rights of only the people on the wrong side of the law. What about the thousands of people who lost their lives in random blasts in our cities? Those days are long gone now. Frankly, I care a hoot about global economies who couldn’t do anything to China for gifting the pandemic to the world. Really, just do what suits you. If you are strong enough to stand up, the other countries will fall in line.
@Prao: Well said!!
Prao: Your puerile Modi bhakthi and asinine jingoism leads you to bray:
“.. We don’t need anyone’s rating to live peacefully. Frankly, why would I care about a global rating ..”
Well, turns out that even the Modi government is forced to take these negative seriously and has made its own attempts to rebut the Freedom House report. Although the rebuttals seem anything but credible, they nonetheless prove that your views are silly and the GOI is on the backfoot.
Reports such as the ones from Freedom House, V-Dem, the Economist Intelligence Unit etc. are all unanimous in their assessment of India – it is a flawed democracy led by a megalomaniac who has a background from a fascist organisation called the RSS. And that is something investors notice. You may not care, but foreign investors do. After all, if you wish to invest in leather, do you trust the GOI’s Make in India promotion of the leather sector when at the same time there are violent attacks on people who have to slaughter cows to get the leather ?
It is this sort of false pride and a refusal to address the shortcomings in the country that gets India a bad press. Bhakths like you do not do any good for India – you are the proverbial “useful idiots” who prop up a flawed, fascist regime run by a megalomaniac. A chap whose latest splurge resulted in the purchase of not one, but two expensive Boeing 777 planes that cost a whopping $1.18 billion (over Rs 8,458 crore at the current exchange rate). Meanwhile, the demonetised economy was going to dogs even before the COVID crisis struck.
Truly that taxpayers like you keep these sort of Gujarati Prophets in power.
Shekhar Gupta is spot on. It is a sad reflection on us as a nation if politicians are able to exploit our latent xenophobia, childishness and irrationality for over half a century. Want evidence? Just look at the comments from bhakts. May be we deserve the kind of governments we have been getting.
@Anonymous: Ha!! Ha!! People who stand with truth are bhakts!! GREAT!!
What will you call Biden, the liberal American president & even Islamic clerics & nations which support genocide of Muslims by the Han Chinese??!!
The world – and what it thinks of us – does matter a great deal. One does not know if all Indians felt ashamed of their first two thirds of a century of nationhood but a sincere, concerted effort was certainly made to transform its perceptions of India. A land of skills, not scams. Vast investments of time and energy to meet with its leaders, about 200 summits, roughly half each at home and abroad. The first question each visiting leader had to address while landing at Palam has been – apart from a ritual visit to Rajghat – Do you support our bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC. That itself shows a craving for acceptance and recognition, not always a sign of self confidence. 2. Personally, I have a bare acquaintance with Freedom House, V Dem, USCIRF, even the European Parliament, for that matter, including its far right MPs. Not being a cloak and dagger sort, feel zero paranoia about anyone. What these Reports are flagging is consistent with how the coverage of India by global media has evolved in recent years. Beginning to sound almost like a dirge now. Diplomats may be putting on a brave face, summoning envoys, issuing demarches, but in their hearts they would see capital accumulated over generations ebbing away.
‘What these Reports are flagging is consistent with how the coverage of India by global media has evolved in recent years. ‘
India’s maximum rise in status was during the MMS years around 2005-2012, where despite the 2008 crisis, India’s economy was roaring at 10%. Many magazines and news papers like The Economist and even the BBC promoted India as a rising star. India was bracketed with China. After Modi’s election, from 2014-2016, they gave the benefit of the doubt, although some did sound warning of his record for fomenting social violence against minorities. However, there were still many abroad who expressed the hope that when in power, Modi will cease the sectarian politics and transform the Indian economy as he had supposedly done in Gujarat. It was of course misplaced optimism and wishful thinking – we know Modi is an ‘unpad’ with shakha indoctrination, and the RSS directs the government. Demonetisation and decline of the economy slowly led to the realisation that India is not an upcoming economy as was the case earlier. The social violence unleashed – starting with the lynching of Akhlaq, leading to more copy cat lynchings, the rape of a 8 year old Kashmiri girl, CAA-NRC, farmer’s laws – has eaten away the fair image India had. We may be relatively poor but were perceived as decent. But now the western media highlight the Nazi ideology of the RSS-BJP.
Indian ‘Diplomats may be putting on a brave face, summoning envoys, issuing demarches, but in their hearts they would see capital accumulated over generations ebbing away.’
Now they have put new RSS diplomats in every embassy, these types don’t mind India’s soft power accumulated over generations ebbing away. I get videos from Sangh parivar maniacs urging India to be tough like Myanamar and Israel.
India under the BJP has been running with the hares and hunting with the hounds : practising a Nazi ideology, while claiming it is the world’s largest democracy. People abroad are aware now.
what I loved most about PM Speech in Quad summit was his reminding the other 3 that what binds the 4 is cherished democratic principles.
A handful of crooks disguised under the banner of NGOS and masks of liberals can no longer dictate the democracies to be run as per their whims and fancies. In the past they could do it because they controlled the media and political discourse. But no more now as internet and social media has changed the voters forever. It’s the Indian voters who now decide about who should lead India.
Similarly media should be able to handle criticism. Just because Arnab has a different view point, should not cause Editors Guild Board to unite and put him down!
@Bakasur: Congress & their domestic/foreign cronies have no word to say about journalists being attacked in Maharashtra, opposition leaders being killed in Jihadi infested West Bengal/Kerala/Kashmir or even houses of innocent civilians & celebrities broken in Mumbai!!
They have nothing to say about fascist genocidal Islamic evil against Hindus or even Christians in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh but have rubbish to talk about about BJP & PM Modi/Hindus!! These people are just not credible and are fit to be called scoundrels!!
It is one thing to praise or criticise India on the issues of freedom and democracy, business and enterprise and on issues to do with religion and culture. Yes you can praise or criticise these aspects in the media and elsewhere.
But when it is done as a part of or on behalf of a foreign government, it is another. SG has rightly criticised Trudeau for his outburst on the farm laws in India. SG called him up on his criticism of Indian subsidies to the farming and agriculture sector. In the same way, SG should criticise the UK Labour party MPs who are merely looking after their vote bank and have no substantive arguments against the farm laws. It was mainly MPs who had Punjabi and Pakistani constituents who spoke against not only Indian farm laws but against India and its policies in Kashmir! None of the other Indian MPs joined them!
While i am no modi fan and the sentiment expressed here is very valid, in this particular instance, this argument falls apart because in this particular situation, there is no real cause for criticism from the rest of the world. What we are seeing is the sly punjabi and pakistani influence work day and night across the world and pull all strings they can to garner such criticism for india from the respective countries where they live. Both the farmer reforms and the statehood of kashmir are internal issues of india as a sovereign nation and the rest of the world should not hv anything to do with them.
Great article. Shekhar Gupta is one of those few honest, rational, fearless journalist who play equally important role if not more, as the rulers of nation do for balancing/saving the democracy
@K J Rao: Lol!! Balance & honesty by so called liberals including Gupta or American president Biden who called genocide of Muslims a cultural issue of the Chinese??
You & your ilk must either be biased, blind or lack grey cells to analyze & connect the dots!!
When criticisms arise out of rank ignorance and being led by false prophets from the “wined and dined ” and corrupt commentariat from India resenting their loss of cosseting and privileged excesses, it mis perfectly right to be upset and to demand a bit more sense and care in offering opinions!
True. I have gradually changed to become a supporter of Modi’s policies. However, I too feel that they are a touchy lot. Yes indeed! I have been wondering why it is so. Over the years, I have started understanding the reason.
When I was working for a government department 40 years back, there was a workshop attached to my division and I was in charge of it. I had a very sincere driver who would always wore stained khaki uniform because he also did all the repairs to his Jeep himself and was invariably stained. I got used to it.
One day I saw that the uniform was looking cleaner, but I would see several spots of stain. While he was driving me home, I casually asked him why he did not get a new uniform which I was ready to reimburse. His reply surprised me.
“Sir I wash my clothes every day. But now there is a new washing soap in the market. It removes many stains except the greasy stains. In fact, while now my dress is cleaner than it was earlier, the grease stains stand out.
That I guess is the problem which the Modi government is that they have been trying to do too many things too fast and some have caused some negative effects. While they may be aware of it, they feel that a build up of public opinion can affect their implementation adversely.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed but we will always hit back at destructive criticism and clarify it with loud and clear voice. The Print is also a biased media which do not report the news rather it propagates its own views. Media should report and not opine.
आलोचना का स्वागत है अपमान का नहीं। Constructive criticism is always welcomed but we will always hit back at destructive criticism and clarify it with loud and clear voice. The Print is also a biased media which do not report the news rather it propagates its own views. Media should report and not opine.
Imagine what would happen if Indian parliament pass resolution about condition of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh. What would be the reactions of these countries? Would it be different from what India did with this UK matter? And bet it, more than these countries , our own journos, thinkers, politician a , media including The…. will cry fullest and start questioning the Govt of the Day for poking it’s nose in other countries matters. Isn’t it?Then why any Indian govt let it permit (esp. by pak supporter MPs in UK parliament)to poke nose in it’s internal matters? If you keep silence, it means you accept their interference happily and inviting more trouble in future. It is that simple thing , why it couldn’t be understood yet, Mr. SG ?
@Reader: Well said!! Isn’t it astonishing that so called democracies in the west created Taliban, ISIS & other Islamic terrorist organizations & even butchered millions of Muslims in Iraq etc. in the name of terrorism??!!
WHY Gupta/Congress/commies & these famed western democracies NEVER talk of liberty & human rights in fascist Islamic states like Pakistan/Bangladesh who are ethnically cleansing Hindus??
The typical mindset is ” I don’t care if people say I am looking good, but no one should dare say I am looking bad”. It happens to arrogant people, who don’t know how to handle complements or criticism. It is arrogance, dear Watson!
This is the whole problem! And both sides are equally to be blamed..
The Ultra Leftist Section of Media will only sing praises of Congress and never cover stories of Kashmiri Pandits Exodus, Palghar lynching, Brutal attack on BJP workers in Bengal or the achievements of Modi Government (Tripple Talaq, Swachh Bharat, Ujjwala Yojna, 370, Befitting reply by the armed forces, highest ever FDI During Modi’s regime).
And the Extreme Right Wing Media will never talk about High Fuel Prices, Unemployment, Poor Health Facilities, Lower Standard of Education..
And only cover Pakistan/ China bites.
They all have chosen sides! And cover stories just for hogwash! For their own interest and gain’s..
It’s better to watch Pogo than listen to both the section of these pseudo Visionary, who don’t have any ounce of Wisdom. But portray as the only sane’s left on this land!
LoL, I like how you conveniently forgot that Sweden terminated investigation into the Bofors arms scandal in an attempt to shield Rajiv Gandhi from embarrassment as it felt further probe may throw up more revelations of bribes to Indian officials in the deal.
Also same goes with you lefties, you didn’t accept those supposedly “good” reports by Moody’s etc.
The World’s NoS(Ing)E Has OverGrown For India Sniffing.Any Other Country Would Have Cut It Off Long Back.
Jai hind ? Now my views are blocked…I don’t even use foul language. So one cannot also express ??
Are we supposed to please the European contries now. Gone are the days. And gone are the days where any one says anything and the govt keeps the mum. If there is a dispute in the family, you don’t beat the drums and know the whole village. Much damaged has been done to India’s name. And don’t forget the other countries are just happy that we have problems…
I am at a loss to be constantly told Modi is globally praised. There is no such thing when you go and see for yourself outside India. In the US, months go by w/o reference to India or its PM on the US local or national TV channels. For frogs in the well, the world they know and see is only praise for Modi. Are you one of those frogs????
As usual a biased article by a very biased inividual, who notoriously once ran a fake news against sitting Indian Army Chief, accusing Gen VK Singh of marching towards Delhi to topple the then PM, Manmohan Singh. What can one expect from such an individual? Still, such a biased article does need a rebuttal, hence here it is. India is protesting against FAKE NEWS spread in the Western media by well entrenched Khalistanis & leftists like Shekhar Gupta & NDTV staff. India is protesting against use of ‘GENOCIDE’ , against use of ‘CRUSHING FARMERS BY FORCE’….India is protesting against such FAKE NEWS. All Indians know what happened on 26th January. How Delhi Police demonstrated such EXEMPLARY COURAGE and showed what a DISCIPLINED force it is when it took beatings with swords by a bunch of cowards. Instead of lauding this fact (inspite of religious zealots hoisting a flag on Red Fort) these anti BJP commentators are calling Indian State, Indian Police ‘Genocidal’? Isnt this a TRAVESTY? Shekhar Gupta & NDTV Staff should remember that today they are supporting anti democracy movements which are blocking public roads, tomorrow if by any chance their favored parties assume power (unlikely though for next 50 years), then the other side will know what to do. Shekhar Gupta, tomorrow BJP can plant its supporters against Kejriwal govt in Delhi and block his movement, even though he is having full majority. I again re-iterate the Govt of India has demonstrated extreme patience, had held talks more than 10 times, the so called law is under SC scanner now and is suspended, still some leftists and Urban Naxals are calling Indian state genocidal, and their sympathisers in foreign countries are latching onto the propaganda for votes. THIS PROPAGANDA WHICH IS FAKE, is what India is protesting against. Such an obvious thing, but how can a biased journalist see it?
@Prashant Sharma: Eve if Congress comes to power in say a 1000 years, SG @ The Print will remain commie/congress bigots till their monopoly is broken!! As a matter of fact, 90% of Indian media is controlled by a few congress cronies!!
Meanwhile, SC shouldn’t have any rights to ban or suspend laws passed by parliament!! SC is there to protect & interpret laws, NOT go against it!!
Mr.Shekar Gupta, criticize Modi if you want to. Why do you blame India, and rejoion the “intolerance brigae” of 2016?
Unlike the intellectuals, journalists and academics, we ordinary Indians take pride in our country – the land, the people and its ethos.
Who the hell are these people to sit in judgment over whether Indian democracy is functioning well or not? Who gave them such rights. Ask Floyd Jackson how democratic it is to be black and get killed by strangulation by the police in the US of A.
If there is no repsonse to adverse comments and criticisms, India will be blamed as spineless country of Hindus! In this age of Wolf Warriors and impertinent and nosey do-gooders, it is better to give rejoinders now and then.
I seriously don’t understand how we can take the Vdem institute’s report seriously when they rated today’s India even lower than it was at the time of emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. I don’t know what those so called experts and analysts are drinking, smoking or snorting.
You can trust news traders like Shekhar Gupta and his insufferable tribe of presstitutes to make fake news where there isn’t anything credible or newsworthy.
Its fake publications like his with an ulterior agenda that try to make such a mountain of a molehill instead of ignoring the so-called “report cards” of entities with a vested, political agenda.
Hypothetical West will continue business as usual with China, despite Xinjiang , Tibet and Hong Kong and crude bullying.
Modi’s India should continue on the right track of building the economy — such twisted reports by foreign leftist cabal of self servers need to be straight away dumped in the SPAM folder.
@Mandal: I think a better alternative to bullying is particpating in this information & narrative warfare!! India needs to democratize media houses domestically by de-monopolizing media companies which are mostly led by congress/cronies!!!
India should urgently also have reputable international media companies!! IF a petty Islamic fascist state like Qatar can have Islamist terrorist supporting Aljazeera, WHY can’t India have 5 credible media houses??
i don’t see why u.k.parliament and canada should be worried about farmers’ protest in india without knowing any facts. we must nip it in the bud any such efforts. whether you like it or not they definitely have electoral considerations for their actions and words.
So India has no independence? She has to accept Western or “world” praise and attack passively without ever daring to speak up for herself? When did Shekhar learn to be so servile? Has he no self-respect? Did India become independent in 1947?
How do you know they haven’t done their research?And what are the facts anyway? What Republic TV says??
The point of the article is the hypocrisy of our government. If those government’s can’t discuss our internal matters we must by the same logic not discuss their or any other country’s internal matters. The same people who say that it is wrong for others in intervene in our affairs , applaud India standing up for Myanmar.
So, when they praise, they are fully aware. But when they criticize, they don’t know. Sound logic from a chest thumping bhakth.
And you know that they don’t have any “facts”? Or is it that facts that are inconvenient are not facts? Get over it. The UK and Canada have every right to debate issues that affect their citizens. Farmers have relatives in the UK and Canada just as RSS goons have relatives in the US, Canada and India
Mr Kasiviswanathan Krishnan: Unlike the authoritarian leadership style of the Gujarathi Messiah, governments in most other countries listen to stakeholders such as voters, the business community, NGOs, investors etc. UK, Canada, USA and many other countries have sizeable Punjabi and Sikh communities who are voters in these countries and they do influence foreign policy. Likewise, investors from these countries view the ominous developments in India in terms of a slide to “elected dictatorship” with considerable alarm. So assuming that it can be “nipped in the bud” is wishful thinking to say the least.
This govt feels very insecure even a small tweet can rattle this govt. It shows they are so insecure and power hungry and may be commitment to their friends that they can’t think of losing power. This attitude is very dangerous and taking india to anarchy. This type of attitude will definitely hurt them and also india as a whole. Better to get rid of this govt where the PM is not at all concerned about doing a press conference and alein to problems of common man and farmers.
You know what, it would actually be nice to see( balanced, informed, thoughtful) criticism of India, not so much from the US, UK, Sweden, Canada or Germany, but from Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Venezuela, Colombia, Bulgaria and Lithuania. Surely, someone, some group. academic, journalist et al, has a fairly informed assessment of the goings-on in India, in a variety of areas, economic, political, environmental, social, historical. Yet, we see the same countries, the same media and academia and NGOs commenting on and judging events in India. What are developing countries writing about India?
Modi haters can throw the government only throw electoral process and not by criticism to defame India. As Modi haters are mindlessly shouting nonsense, more and more Indian voter are solidly standing with Modi.
One school of thought believes no one with 30-37% voter support must become a leader of the nation by a legal and yet flawed process. The ridicule follows. It is best to tune out such opinions/ridicule. Having a thin skin does not help any one,
It’s obivious that ultra left wing radicals and jihadist and journalists part of the same gang are attacking BJP.
India has the largest POPULATION in the world that is what ultra left wing radicals, proselytizing activist,jihadist and rent a journalist has done with INDIA. Rampant support to rioters, teaching fake history, ensuring anti HINDU rhetoric has been the policy.
The BJP GOVERNMENT must ensure POPULATION CONTROL MEASURES . Obiviously it’s clear that communal elements like the chief election commissioner and ex vice president like rabble rousing elements will join hands with international anti INDIA undemocratic forces who will oppose POPULATION control as anti faith. This will really check WETHER INDIA will progress or go to hell.
True. That India’s population includes break India forces, and anarchists is a given.
@Data: I totally agree with you!! For population bill however, it can only be effective IF people are disenfranchised, face severe financial penalties for their extended families & harsh prison terms in case of violations..!!
SG is wasting his time on this issue. India will have to respond strongly to any interference in its internal affairs which have no bearings at all on these countries. It cannot be as stupid as saying since they also praise you, why not welcome some criticism too! These interferences have sinister implications for national security as these are motivated by ISI, Khalistanis and other anti India elements. Besides, it is strange that Parliament of UK or Canada should spend time on the issues of countries from where some of its citizens originated! So yes, India loves all the praises which world showers on us and yet, it will respond angrily if there is any unwarranted interference in our internal affairs.
Coupta knows all this. Westerners use him to peddle their propaganda in India. He is a willing accomplice
Correct!!
it’s a pity why an intellectual like SG refuses to understand, accept and acknowledge this.
@Kasiviswanathan Krishnan: SG is no intellectual but a coconut!! He is the brown man who knows how to copy/paste views of his colonial masters; be it Fascist Islamic’s or Christian white supremacists Britain/America!!
China, SS,UK ,France, Germany and even Rusia give two fingers to international criticism.
If you have money and muscle you do not need to worry about the critics. China for all the criticism even a fear to visit the country still gets all the investments.
The racism in the Royal family does not get a mention in India, but the (US)-funded foundation like Freedom House downgrading Indian democracy from free to partly free, the Sweden’s V-DEM foundation, Justin Trudeau’s sympathetic statements on the farmers’ protest, Greta Thunberg, Kamala Harris’s niece Meena Harris, singer Rihanna, and actor Susan Sarandon supporting the farmers’ protests get huge coverage in Indian media.
All these entities will start singing praises of India when we become rich enough to start funding them and will start supporting the Ramjade MP instead of Rana Ayyub, just as the local media would.
‘All these entities will start singing praises of India when we become rich enough…’
But India has become poorer under Modi. It started with demonetisation and the economy is in a tailspin. So keep dreaming an ‘unpad’ will give India a 5 trillion economy after which India can dictate terms to the rest of the world. The reality is a fragile country, a tinderbox that can implode. And your insecurity about foreign hands plotting to break up India also proves you know India can crumble. Countries break up due to poor governance and politicians creating rifts between communities. Modi and the BJP have done that. And you are happy with that.
@Vijay Galande: Correct!! But we need to have our own narrative too by de-monopolizing Indian media led by Congress/Cronies and build at least one international media house!!
Highest level of hypocrasy
These are the times we are living in where people speak of one’s mind but don’t listen to what others have to say.Sad.
People listen things that make sense to them. People can differentiate between the propaganda and the analysis based on facts i.e. not manufactured facts like librandus do day and night.
There are two direction where we can choose one is a liberal open society, with an entrepreneur and scientific temperament, a great and credible institution that protect civil rights and ensure citizens safety and security, we can move with confidences and not shy away with challenges or weakness rather we face it and move on, this path may serve well for country and citizens in long and futures. Second model we can choose is in short a Russia model that everything control by govt either directly or indirectly and this will serve well to the people in power as we see in Russia so future depends what we decide.
Yawn yawn ..again Indians are getting preached ! Let’s take a break from reading news and it’s analysis for a saner mind !
Modi shows, markets and sells Gold brick to India. India pays for Gold brick. Modi gives gold to Adani and Ambani, hands India a Dung Brick, says its equivalent to gold. If an Indian say it’s bull shit, then you’re an anti national. If a foreigner says it’s bull shit then they’re Interfering in internal matter. 7 yrs of A__ hole parivartan.
Can you substantiate your story about favouritism towards ambani and adani?
That these morons can’t, ’cause there isn’t anything.
Mr Kumar: Heard of the award of the Rafale maintenance contract to Anil Ambani despite his pathetic track record in the defence sector ?
Anil Ambani’s foray into the defence sector through Reliance Naval & Engineering was a fiasco that saddled IDBI and Vijaya bank with non-performing assets (NPAs). Despite this background and despite the fact that Anil Ambani is yet to manufacture a single screw to the exacting tolerances that the aerospace sector demands, Modi awards his fellow Gujarati a plum contract. Apparently, tenders are needed when it comes to awarding contracts to fellow Gujaratis ! And what is even worse, HAL with a nearly 70 year experience in the aerospace sector and a clear, natural and qualified choice for the Rafale maintenance deal was eliminated without any justification.
The taxpayer, i.e. the middle classes such as yourself will actually be footing the bill for the NPAs. But apparently, you don’t mind opening your wallet to bail out Modi’s buddies ! I am quite sure the Gujaratis will be blessing you with a “Jeethe raho Kumar bhai” !!
But an even more serious issue is at hand here. The maintenance contract is what keeps the notoriously tricky to maintain Rafales in flying condition and available to the Air Force at short notice when the country faces threats. And that is something Anil Ambani’s yet to exist firm is incapable of doing. Modi endangers the security of the country and its citizens through his crony capitalism centric approach to defence.
Meanwhile, bhakths like you don’t realise that you are being taken for a ride. As the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1815-55) said:
““There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
do u have any facts, or you one of those zombies fed by mummy daddy since childhood – hindus are bad, bjp is bad rhetoric….. come up with facts…tell how India is paying for ‘gold brick’ as u say, and how ‘gold brick’ given to ambani? come out of your papa mummy cocoon and face the real world. cite examples….go to court…..prove that govt is stealing ‘gold bricks’…ha ha ha man this is funny actually responding to such people is funny….WAIT…Court bhi ambani se mila hua hai…right? Election commission bhi? Sab chor hain? theek hai na? Bas you, your papa mummy, they are ok.
Media, particularly the personality who claim to represent all editors, have no moral high ground to preach this government. Heck, these are the guys who don’t accept that criminals exist in media as well unless the accused is ideologically on the other end.
By your own logic, you are the guy who dosent accept that criminals exist in the government and corporate sector, unless the accused is ideologically not aligned to your views.
Apply your own standards to yourself & congie cronies!! Congress & extremists like you have divided India for Islamic terrorist nation and even kept the traitors who voted for Pakistan & did Hindu/Sikh Genocide in India!!
WHERE are your standards or sympathy for poor Hindus & Sikhs dying because of the fascists in Islamic Pakistan/Bangladesh as also In India.. Kashmir/west Bengal, Kerala..!!
Beaming at praise and crying foul at criticism is a sign of an infantile mind, an undeveloped psyche, a person not at peace with himself, not able to come to terms with his own narcissistic personality. And by re-electing such a person with an even larger majority and trying to cover up his flaws with obtuse arguments and blaming long dead ex-PMs, we Indians are letting ourselves, our future generations and this great nation of ours down.
No, it’s because the criticism is not genuine, balanced, well thought out. It’s bandwagon, publicity seeking, or just simply attacking an easy target, India.
Modi has been quite rational, overall. Unprincipled or imbalanced criticism cannot be accepted.
Are you ok? The PM has been called so many abuses & lies by people like you, that if you would have been called even 10% of those names you would have gone nuts! Who are you to judge whether the Prime Minister is at peace with himself? Your hateful comments show that You definitely are not! This nation is on the path of deciding what is good for it. You have NO SAY in that. On the contrary by re-electing the PM, the nation has made India so much better for our future generations.
Whole process of change started back in 2011 after 26/11 and watching some peaceful religious protesters trashing Amar Javan Jyoti Symbol and lynching ladies constable, that what people made insecure and intolerant against secular ruling party, now people don’t want to be in that terrible phase again so reelected same government and next there will be same government so don’t blame people. Aagar aankh Mai kachara हो to sab dhundla nazar aata है aaur aakhe bhi jalti Hai
What real good has congress given to this country…ofcourse a deep rooted corruption which has ruined generations. What work does rahul & sonia gandhi do and what is their true source of income ?? And u want to allow them to continue ????
Criticism from a unelected privately funded NGOs by a white supremicst European reeks of agenda and not goodwill.
Same should go for praise.
Mohanty: you can take that “praise” and shove it where the sun don’t shine.
Mr Mandal: Is that how they taught you to debate in your local RSS shaka?
Only that, the praises in this case aren’t from such an NGO but from democratic governments.
I have met plenty of ‘supremacist’ Indians who think they are better than the rest of the world.
Even if what you are saying is true, those ( few) Indians are not commenting on, or lending their “support” to movements/protests in other countries.
If unelected private funded NGOs by a supremacist is the yardstick you use, then the RSS is just that and it is what calls the shots on the BJPs sensibilities and organization as well. So what is the goodwill in store for the citizens of India (a significant number) who do not align with the RSS, which was once declared by Sardar Patel as a terrorist organization?
@Supriya Delphene: Half truths are told by half humans & half brained people!! Saradar Patel was NOT made PM!! Nehru supported by MK Gandhi dethroned Sardar Patel to put a stupid Nehru in his place!!
Why do you forget that Sardar Patel invited RSS to join congress party??!!
Moreover, shall we not recall that congress was a party created by British White supremacist Christians to breed brown slaves like Nehru & MK Gandhi?? Shall we also recall that both of them were responsible for genocide of millions of Hindus & Sikhs which is carried out to this date by the fascist Quran-ists they loved, not just in Islamic Pakistan/Bangladesh but also in India??
Shall we not recall how both of them raped India & Hindus to create an Islamic terrorist nation next door and kept those traitors who voted for Pakistan in India??!!