It is a widely acknowledged truth that since 2014, when the BJP assumed leadership, an unspoken state of emergency seems to have descended upon the country. Key institutions such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax department, CBI, police, and even segments of the judiciary have, allegedly, being used to stifle dissenting voices. Notably, political figures, journalists, and judges who defy the BJP's stance have faced harassment, imprisonment, and in some cases, even silence.
Over the past years, mounting pressure on human rights organizations, the intimidation of journalists and activists, judges and a surge of attacks – particularly targeting the Muslim community – have eroded political and civil freedoms in India. The ruling party appears focused on moulding the nation into a 'Hindu Rashtra,' fanning animosity among various communities. This objective involves eradicating the term 'Secular' from the Indian Constitution, ostensibly aligning with the BJP's agenda. The voice of a select few now seems unassailable, immune to challenge or contradiction; those who oppose face the spectre of fabricated charges and government-led persecution.
Instances such as the strife in Manipur, where ethnic groups engage in violence under the indifferent gaze of the authorities, expose the fracture in unity. Similar patterns emerge in states like Haryana, underscoring a disturbing trend in which civil liberties have dwindled since Narendra Modi's rise to power in 2014. The delicate equilibrium between democracy and autocracy has been disrupted, with government intervention becoming the norm, overshadowing good governance.
The emergence of vigilante groups, exemplified by the 'Gau Rakshas,' has created an environment where minorities are denied their rights to trade and consume certain foods. The intrusive hand of moral policing reaches even into the realm of personal attire, dictating what citizens can or cannot wear. Under the BJP's administration, India seems to have relinquished its potential to stand as a global democratic leader. The pursuit of narrow Hindu nationalist interests has eclipsed the nation's founding principles of inclusivity and equal rights, even erasing the resonant phrase coined by Jawaharlal Nehru, "Unity in Diversity."
Evident actions like the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and amendments to the Citizenship Act spotlight the Modi government's tightening grip on minority communities. This exertion of control extends beyond political boundaries; states not aligned with the ruling party's ideologies are systematically being dismantled. While the states under the control of the BJP are carrying out their master’s orders, those states which are not under their sway are systematically being taken apart. For example, Delhi Services Bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament to take control from the AAP government. The Bill gives sweeping powers to the Lt. Governor and bureaucrats making the democratically elected government like a headless chicken. Reminiscent of the Delhi Services Bill they have now laid their sights on Chennai. BJP-appointed Governor is now flexing his muscles to take control of the administration.
In summation, the celebration of India's true freedom will materialize when individuals can make choices without governmental interference; when fear is eradicated from the lives of women venturing out; when dissent can be expressed without threat; when healthcare facilities ensure children's survival, and when a harmonious coexistence among diverse communities becomes a reality. Until then, the wish for a 'Happy Independence Day' is laden with the aspiration for a more liberated, inclusive India.
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