ThePrint asks:
Has Gujarat election shown that civility has disappeared from the language of politics?
I do not remember a time when debates during an election got as acrimonious as they have become now. Even earlier, people did not take recourse to unparliamentary language during debates and discussions. We have seen a lowering of discourse since 2012 when the entire environment became so hostile that harsh words were used to attack any opposing ideas.
Post-2014, most of these attacks, I hate to say it— but it is a fact— have come from the BJP. These have happened both while they were in the opposition and even now. One would have assumed that once they came to power they would have attempted to usher in better discourse and discussion.
Unfortunately, with each passing election the entire mandate has been reduced to personal attacks, name calling, and conspiracy theories, which are not only bizarre but also undermine various institutions, like the chair of the Vice President, Prime Minister, which are held in high regard. This has been done for political gains which will only result in greater damage to the entire democratic structure of the country.
Constructive ideas and/or ideological differences are shot down through virulent personal attacks, which are detrimental to the public at large. Smriti Irani’s attack on students through her speech on Rohith Vemula, and Modi’s slur against Manmohan Singh’s stainless reputation despite corruption scams all around him, are some examples.
It has become the norm to have vicious arguments, whether in live television debates, audience discussions, or rallies. All political parties must take a call on whether this is the direction a democracy, which is founded on the principle on dialogue, debate and dissent, should take.
Using unparliamentary language seems to be a trend right now because people in power are not holding its perpetrators accountable. This will only lead to worse times. Words once spoken can’t be recalled. Apologies can happen but the words won’t be forgotten. Such an approach will only lead us down a dark abyss. And collectively, we must attempt to further a more pleasant democratic debate.
Priyanka Chaturvedi is a spokesperson for the Congress party