India’s governance model is often critiqued for its high taxation policies—GST, income tax and other taxes—but the root of public frustration lies not in the taxes themselves, but in the diminishing returns on these contributions. The deteriorating quality of life, coupled with a glaring lack of civic sense among citizens, has created a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction and angst. The systemic failure lies in the intersection of governance failures, public etiquette, and the societal consequences of neglecting basic civic responsibilities.
The condition of India’s civic infrastructure and public conduct has drawn attention both at home and abroad, with issues ranging from mismanaged urban areas to widespread littering and antisocial behaviour in public spaces. While racism and stereotypes often amplify these critiques, there is an undeniable truth: Much of this is rooted in observable realities.
Civic neglect and theft
The widespread use of gutka-paan and the associated habit of spitting have become a stubborn problem, staining public walls, sidewalks, and even railway stations with unsightly marks. This issue isn’t confined to India—it has followed the Indian diaspora abroad. As per a 2014 report by Hindustan Times gutka stains became so widespread in London’s Brent suburb that local authorities had to repaint entire areas after high-pressure cleaning methods failed to remove them.
Such behaviour tarnishes India’s global image and reinforces negative stereotypes. The roads are no better, with a near-complete lack of lane discipline, frequent disregard for traffic rules, reckless overtaking, and ignored signals, making daily commutes chaotic, stressful, and dangerous. Added to these is India’s waste management crisis, marked by rampant littering, garbage burning, and poor waste segregation, which both harm the environment and pose severe health risks. Noise pollution has also added a dimension to this problem, wherein blaring music on public transport and loud DJ events (political rallies, religious processions, marriage celebrations, etc.) demonstrate complete disregard for shared spaces and others’ well-being.
Open defecation in India is an issue that has become deeply ingrained, symptomatic not just of infrastructural inadequacies but also of a glaring deficit in civic consciousness among its citizenry. The persistence of the practice has engendered a deleterious global perception, oftentimes reduced to stereotypes and racist caricatures that serve to mask the complexity of the issue.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, though primarily geared toward fixing open defecation, was also touted to be the programme that would change Indians’ littering behaviour. But apart from the construction of toilets, it hasn’t made a dent in behaviour. Even the usage of the constructed toilets is declining.
Nonetheless, more than the construction of toilets is needed to alleviate this situation.
It calls for a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and behavioural mores. Only by such an all-round approach can we hope to achieve the goal of ending open defecation and slaying its stigma both in India and across the world.
One of my young colleagues shared a poignant experience from his visit to Kartavya Path this year for the Republic Day parade. In the morning, he felt proud seeing India’s rich cultural heritage and military prowess on display. The pride turned into dismay as he left the venue. The exits were littered with garbage, a sight that left him feeling both embarrassed and frustrated. It was a glaring reminder of how far we still have to go in cultivating basic civic sense and respect for public spaces.
Happy to visit India Gate #Delhi today but was disheartened to see the garbage lying around. Request authorities to please take action and appeal to people to keep our cities clean especially the sites of national significance. pic.twitter.com/BkhHBejTId
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 22, 2022
As if that wasn’t enough, he also noticed that most of the newly installed streetlights along Mahatma Gandhi Road near Naraina had been stolen.
This wasn’t just a one-off incident—it’s part of a larger problem that we see far too often.
On further investigation, I found out that this kind of theft is alarmingly common. Nut holders, decorative lamps, LED strips, light poles, metre boxes—you name it—multiple public fittings have been stolen from in and around Pragati Maidan. Over 50 police complaints have been filed since January 2023, according to The Indian Express.
But it doesn’t stop there. Even on our premium trains—the ones we showcase with so much pride— you’ll find toiletries chained down to prevent theft. Blankets and bedsheets have gone missing from AC tier coaches, and there have been reports of passengers spitting blatantly in the compartments. On the inaugural run of the premium Tejas train, many of the headphones provided for entertainment had mysteriously disappeared by the end of the journey.
Also read: Gurugram can’t get its trash together. Rich people’s waste caught in mafia-like drama
Racism or reality?
The “Google Maps garbage game” is one of the more recent pastimes in Western countries. The rules are simple—how many random locations can you ‘visit’ in India via Google Maps until you end up on a visual of garbage? Though may appear racist, it also makes us face a disturbing truth, that all of India’s civic issues are visible around the world. We should be concerned with the validity of these observations. Sure, they often are motivated by bias but it is difficult to ignore questions about trash being inadequately managed and no sense of civic duty. India needs to deal with these problems honestly and constructively, rather than defensively.
A two-way strategy is required to improve public manners and municipal infrastructure in India. Citizens must take responsibility for their behaviour, while the government prioritises essential services like healthcare, education, and sanitation. Civic sense cannot be legislated; it must be cultivated through education, awareness, and community engagement.
The state must invest in robust waste management systems, enforce traffic rules strictly, and launch public awareness campaigns. The individual needs to understand his responsibility toward public space. Civic sense should be inculcated at the school level, and the community should teach people to be better citizens. Behavioural change is a long process, but it is necessary to build a harmonious society. It begins with everyday choices we make when no one’s watching.
These stories show a disconnect between the pride that we feel for our nation and the treatment that we lavish on the spaces and the amenities that belong to all of us. How do we celebrate the achievements of a great country while ignoring the mundane responsibilities accompanying the rights of being a citizen?
It’s not just about keeping our streets clean or protecting public property—it’s about respect. Respect for the spaces we share, for the efforts that go into building and maintaining them, and, ultimately, for each other.
Karti P Chidambaram is a Member of Parliament for Sivaganga and a Member of the All India Congress Committee. He is also the Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. His X handle is @KartiPC. Views are personal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Nice thoughts from the sensible leader. Endorse his views wholeheartedly.
The solution lies in enforcing the duties of citizens enshrined in CONSTITUTION. Rather than carrying this book and running campaigns on the rights of citizens and dividing them on caste “Jithni Abaadhi Uthna Haq”, political parties should also run campaigns on duties.
Unfortunately, as it wont fetch votes, no party wants to do it.