In its 71 years of independence, India unquestionably has several achievements to its credit. It has built a modern economy, remained a democracy, and lifted millions out of poverty. But in its essential duty of uniting its citizens, the state is not only failing but even appears at times to deliberately turn one section of Indian society against another. On the other hand, majority of the population, who were struggling for education and proper employment, before independence still remain where they were. If we move out to rural side, we will be able to see, no prosperity in many of the remote parts, after 70 years of independence. Political parties ruled and gone, politicians blabbered; made the poverty a political tool, and then they too did not take rural apathy to heart. But on superficial level, we have touched skies.
At the surface level, those who have some level of education, and raise their voice against the present state of governance, are provided with some fringe benefits like reservation, to carry on their life without much difficulty. But for other poor people, life is still miserable. The slogan of rich is becoming richer, and the poor, continue to remain as poor, is in solid state. Even in cities too, daily wage earners, remain, without making any provision for better living. They still sleep on the platforms, if permitted. Stray population is on rise and at the same time poverty too is not under control. Crimes have gone high; there is increase in rape cases and crime against woman. Just chest beating #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao is not enough, the State and Centre need to be strict about crime against women. Same BJP was very aggressive when they were in opposition, now has turned blind. Women and girls are not safe in our country.
Political parties divided on Nehru and Patel, but none of them dared to care for sacrifices they did to make us breathe after gaining independence. Gandhi’s clean India concept is highjacked but India is still under the pile of dirt. Democracy is for the people but no political party offers real support to these people. Food and dwelling are still out of the reach of these sections. But there are improvements, to those sections of the society, who have access to proper education and also for those who have the know-how to raise their voices against the political structure. The rest of the people are yet to know what their rights are, and what is meant by education.
The country is improving economically and technologically, if compared with other nations of the world, but without any benefits to the large sections of the population. There are developments, statistically, in education and employment, but not balanced to the increase in population. Our defence attentiveness is many times better than before, but unfortunately other nations have moved faster than us. The border situation continues to remain tense. We are able to represent the world, on various issues, not with authority, but with submission on several issues.
Only strong leaders, who can take the country forward educationally and technologically, can impact us as a strong nation in the world arena. There are countries, which have developed dramatically during short periods, but we say 70 years are too short for progress. The regeneration of Hindu nationalism is one reason, but another is surely the scares that never cured and the fury that never calmed after the Partition in 1947. The long arm of history never fails to reach into the present. People are still divided on religion, caste, colour and status. These days they are also separated on politics of this country. Religious riots area stretched across the country. There was vast unrest over various issues but when people protested or voiced their opinion against PM and his government, they were attacked humiliated and trolled to death. Their integrity was compromised. We have become intolerant with time.
In spite of all this, our PM Modi has proved a coy crusader, whose interference has included an overnight demonetisation that led to such chaos that people died. In contrast, his beloved followers have been given free rein to believe that Ram Rajya, the fictitious rule by the esteemed lord Ram, has finally arrived. This has seen a ban on the slaughter of cows, and a growing racism of minorities. The headlines tell constantly of crimes by Hindu right-wing groups. The election campaigns of BJP leaders routinely include veiled attacks upon the Muslim community — a crude appeal to the party’s nationalist base. On social media and on TV news, chauvinism flirts dangerously with incitement to violence.
The ascent to power of Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 has emboldened the Hindu right. Groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) believe fervently that India is essentially a Hindu land and no chunk of undivided India should ever have been torn off and handed over to Muslims. Any Muslims who don’t like how they’re treated in India should seek their home in Pakistan, RSS supporters frequently say. Modi himself, and several other BJP leaders, cut their political teeth with the RSS. The BJP Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state — home to 200 million people, including 40 million Muslims — is simultaneously the head priest of a Hindu temple in Gorakhpur. The Indian state and majority religion have never been more closely intertwined. Last year, in roughly 700 outbreaks of religious violence, 86 people died and 2,321 people were injured. Muslims are threatened and lynched by vigilantes. Political deaths and attacks by leftists on rightists continued in many parts.
India is celebrating one more Republic Day, but somewhere the democracy is compromised to a great level, nothing has changed much and nothing will ever change unless its rulers have the will to do so.
We are one nation and its people, living with that entire coming to our way just wishing one more “Happy Republic Day”, in a hope to see some hominoid changes ahead.
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