Those witnessing the solemn ceremony of the inauguration of the new Parliament building could not but have been impressed. The all-religious prayers, the atmosphere of purity and piety, and the quiet dignity with which the ceremony was conducted were all reminders of the kind of nation we are. Diversity in unity, rather than unity in diversity, might be a way to characterise it.
Why do I say diversity in unity rather than unity in diversity? That is because, according to Hindu cosmogonic and philosophical traditions, it is Oneness that seeks diversity to know and enjoy Itself better. Conversely, the many do not need to strive to be one because oneness already pervades every molecule of their iridescent variety. All the different religious traditions represented, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism– to follow a rough and ready chronological order—seemed harmoniously not only to coexist, but also symbolise the unity of India.
The shrill rhetoric of bigotry and conflict, so used to it are we, were conspicuous by their absence. I was reminded of what Jain Muni Vimal Sagar said so often – Dharma is that which brings us together, not that which divides us. From that point of view, all divisiveness in the name of whatsoever faith tradition apparently justifies it, would be recognized as adharmic—irreligious.
True, all of India’s religious plurality was proudly on display at this momentous occasion. Sadly, however, the same could not be said of our vibrant and various political diversity. There was, instead, the monochromatic ruling order, dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, with a small sprinkling of other parties. The leaders of the latter were scarcely to be seen, though. Religious heterogeneity sans political multiplicity seemed somewhat of an anomaly so far as Indian politics is concerned.
That brings me to the subject of this follow-up of my last column. I had argued that a fractured polity and divided civil society are bad news for the future of Indian democracy. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s relentless attacks on the opposition do not make sense in the long run, especially if they lead to the untenable belief that only the BJP is fit to govern India. True, dynastic politics and corruption, not to speak of minority appeasement and unbridled populism, are bad practices which must be condemned. But the condemnation should be based on how they hinder national progress.
Instead, the BJP seems to imply that owing to its unique ideological or leadership qualities, it alone can do justice to the electorate while all other parties are malign, corrupt, or tainted. Such BJP exceptionalism flies in the face of reality. How can we forget that many opposition leaders, welcomed into the BJP fold, become not only fully acceptable overnight but also exemplars of virtuous politics and good governance? Surely, joining the BJP isn’t akin to a religious conversion, with those who do not convert condemned to eternal political perdition?
The truth is that the Indian political class, cutting across party lines, shares a common DNA. They respond to similar electoral compulsions and systemic limitations. That is why the opposition’s relentless attempts to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image solely to destroy ‘Brand Modi’ also commit the same fallacy, impeding India’s path to unity and development. What, then, is the way out?
A new Parliament building, however impressive, will not, by itself, secure the future of Indian democracy. It is only when the government in power and the opposition can work together for the unity, security, and prosperity of the country. The position—with you or without you—may work when it comes to inaugurating a building, bridge, or statue. But will it work when it comes to debating issues of national importance, passing laws, determining policies, or governing the country?
From polarising politics, the nation must shift its focus to institutional reforms. By transcending partisan politics and fostering national unity, India can build a resilient political system that is truly accountable, transparent, and corruption-unfriendly if not corruption free. It is only through such collective efforts that the nation can embark on a journey towards sustainable progress, prosperity, and a brighter future for all its citizens.
A successful democratic society actually demands a strong and vigilant opposition. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was reportedly “unfazed” by the opposition boycott of the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building. But parliamentary democracy should not be unfazed. Else what would the difference be between us and the Communist Party of China (CPC)-ruled China, the most powerful single party controlled state in the world?
What is the way forward? Both the BJP’s attempt to cancel the opposition and the opposition’s continuing boycott of the BJP are negative tactics to be shunned for the sake of Indian democracy. Instead, the ruling party should continue electoral and administrative reforms on a war-footing. Here are some positive steps that can be taken towards securing India’s future as the world’s largest democracy:
Also read: Success of BJP-backed Muslim candidates showcases the strength of Indian democracy
Institutional reform: Cleansing the political system
Strengthening the office of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and similar corrective mechanisms can reduce corruption and malfeasance in the electoral process. Citizens should not be bribed with money, alcohol, food just before elections, and other incentives, including populist sops, after a government is formed. Monitoring the use of black money is much easier now, thanks to multiple technologically advanced methods of surveillance. Once corruption is reduced, if not rooted out, of the political system, the compulsion to recover money or accumulate ill-gotten gains after winning elections will also come down.
Beyond targeting individuals: Make governance accountable
India must prioritise accountability in governance across all sectors, particularly in the provision of public goods. Instead of solely targeting individual politicians, such as Rahul Gandhi, the BJP should channel its energy toward building robust systems and mechanisms that enhance transparency and promote accountability in all aspects of public life. This approach goes beyond party lines and creates a lasting impact on the nation’s welfare.
Opposition maryada: Refraining from bringing down ‘Brand Modi’
While PM Narendra Modi’s leadership has undoubtedly brought significant changes to the country, the opposition’s sole focus on attacking ‘Brand Modi’ is limiting and counterproductive. The relentless attempts to tarnish Modi’s image for the purpose of destroying his persona are detrimental to national unity and progress. Political discourse should shift from personal attacks to constructive engagement on policies and institutional reforms, fostering healthy competition and collaboration for the nation’s betterment. Why not acknowledge all the good work he has done and offer constructive criticism whenever needed?
National interest over partisan politics: Ending Parliament’s “uncivil” war
The nation’s interest should always supersede partisan politics. This may sound like an obvious cliché, but both the ruling party and the opposition must recognise that constant mudslinging and character assassination only serves to divide the nation and block India’s growth. It is crucial to transcend personal agendas and prioritise the common good through constructive dialogue and meaningful collaboration. This approach requires moving from adversarial politics to a more cooperative and inclusive parliamentary functioning.
Depoliticising law enforcement: Reestablishing trust
The erosion of trust in the political process itself is a pressing concern. Through comprehensive restructuring of the current vote-bank politics or polarisation and appeasement on the one hand, and blandishments and populism on the other, India can restore faith in its democratic framework. An impartial judiciary, Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), state police, and similar agencies, are absolutely crucial for restoring trust in the system. This approach promotes the idea that no individual or party is above the law.
Not ‘raja’ but ‘praja’: Promoting grassroots democracy
Meaningful participation of citizens at the grassroots level is vital for a vibrant democracy. Democracy cannot be imposed from the top; it must grow from the bottom. The focus should shift from personality-driven politics to empowering local communities and promoting decentralised decision-making processes. By encouraging active citizen engagement, promoting transparency, and facilitating community-driven initiatives, India can strengthen its democratic fabric and ensure that governance remains accountable to the people. Once again, we see that over-centralisation of authority under one sole, even if charismatic, leader will be detrimental to national interest in the long run
Compulsory voting: expanding the electoral duties of citizens
Though this may seem controversial, I have advocated the idea of compulsory voting before. If Australia can implement it, why can’t we? The objection that India and its electorate are too vast and not sufficiently literate or educated is no longer convincing. Digital platforms have made voting from home possible for all citizens. We only need to implement adequate safeguards to ensure the system is tamper-proof. If Indians can vote from home and if voting is compulsory, we will see a sea change in the quality of leaders elected. Encouraging the disenchanted or apathetic upper classes to vote, even if they choose NOTA (None of the Above), would be preferable to absenteeism.
There is no doubt that Indian politics is going through a difficult phase, but the signals on the ground are loud and clear. We need greater statesmanship and cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties, rather than endless name-calling and mutual disparagement. The Indian electorate should not allow itself to be entangled in useless disputes or dumbed down by the shrillness of political polemics and rhetoric. There are far more important matters at stake if India is to take its place among the great nations of the world.
The article is part two of a two-part series.
Makarand R. Paranjape is an author and professor. His Twitter handle is @makrandparanspe. Views are personal.