A NEW DEMOCRACY IN INDIA
KAKALI DAS
[Disclaimer: the article is written with a tinch of sarcasm and wit. Keeping this in mind would help the readers understand it better.]
A NEW DEMOCRACY: We have read and known only one definition of democracy for 70 years – of the people, by the people, for the people. Meaning, it is always the voice of people that counts. An elected politician is not the king, but merely a service provider for 5 years.
But in the last few years, a new definition of democracy is catching up – Off the people, far the people, buy the people. Meaning, the democracy where the benefits are enjoyed on people’s money, and buy support when necessary. In this kind of democracy, only one person is listened to, all others are wrong anyway.
Interestingly, the middle class is generally happy in this kind of democracy except on some occasions. This type of democracy is built on the promises of acche din (good days). Examples include: the democracy to be witnessed in Brazil, Turkey and Russia. But the formula of this new democracy is being perfected in India, and we might even become a world leader in this new format of democracy!
Evolution of ‘New Democracy’
Old democracy is too much democracy
Old democracy is slow and boring! People want fast action and quick decision in this age of superfast internet. How else can we leave China behind…? Too much of these old democracy virtues – debate, discussion, consultation, clearance, committees, parliamentary panels, voting, etc., doesn’t excite people anymore.
Now, just introduce bill in the morning, discuss in the day and pass in the evening. And, if this is still too much, just announce overnight decisions and the country will cheerfully obey, won’t it? People are fond of this instant noodle version of democracy. However, sometimes decisions made in haste might back fire such as, demonetisation, GST implementation, migrant crisis etc. But, it’s not a matter to worry about – it is in a testing phase (beta version) after all, eh?
Democratic Institutions (?)
According to new democracy, words like azadi (independence), nyay (justice), maang (demand) which are the virtues of old democracy, are dangerous. They cannot be the virtues of new democracy. We have people (farmers, doctors etc.) protesting every now and then, and as per this new democracy, these protests can lead to chaos in the system.
A strong government is fearful of these old virtues; democratic institutions strengthen the old virtues like: opposition, CBI, ED, EC, IAS, IPS or the constitution itself. So, in the new democracy, institutions are weakened by various measures. If institutions are controlled, then less people will ask questions. Then vikash (development) can continue without interruption, new parliament and now talks of new constitution as well!
Opposition played a major role in old democracy as can be known from these examples: with the help of strikes and rallies onissues like saving girls, fighting against corruption, marching anti-black money rallies, the opposition had put immense pressures on the government. Now, these acts are not welcomed in the new democracy, it’s an insult here.
People too don’t want opposition as it’s considered anti-national in this kind of democracy. How can people question those in power, eh? In fact, some opposition parties in new democracy have accepted this new definition – they have turned silent and voiceless, anyway, nowadays.
Only Positive News in New Democracy
Another important lesson in new democracy is that ‘bad news’ is bad for the leaders, because bad news or information or datalets people make their own mind, opinions, perspectives. And, how dare these people form their own opinions here!? So, in order to prevent it, why don’t the leaders advocating this new democracy control the source of these ‘bad’ information like, the most popular newspaper, channel, social media platform etc.?
Thus, only ‘positive’ news is allowed on all platforms and ‘negative’ news is frowned upon. Anybody showing negative news must be working against the country, or so are people made to think. New democracy teaches people to stay away from the ‘negative ones’!
That is how people can be controlled. Today, we don’t care that we are crashing in all global indexes such as: hunger index, freedom index, democracy index, happiness index, per-capita index and etcetera, because we now understand that the indexes are negative – funded by the opposition. So, we shouldn’t believe it, okay?
Old democracy made us believe that vikash (development) only means material gains, GDP, bank balance, infrastructure etc. But new democracy teaches that ‘respect’ (Bharat Mata ki jai) holds primary importance – whatever the wrongs that Aurangzeb and British committed must be made right, 500 years later.
Its moto is to take the country back in the time of the Aryans and make it Akhand (monolithic). Money is an illusion, fakiri(destitution) is the real blessing. That is why, our GDP is back at the level in 2017-2018, and per capita income is less than Bangladesh.
We are rapidly marching back in time and it calls for celebration. (slow claps)
Marketing in New Democracy
New democracy has mastered marketing – it is a way of manipulation. Old democracies couldn’t market themselves well. Now, since independence (the one in 1947), vaccination has always been free. But do people remember? And, today, the public think that it is free, even when it’s not. How? Of course, by their fabulous marketing (manipulative) strategies. (standing ovation) Moreover, 80% funds for beti bachao beti padhao are spent on ads (not on the education of girls). Nice!
Finally, new democracy has shown that people can be fooled as many as 56 times. If people are distracted enough, they will know nothing. Let’s keep public away from decision making consultation, consensus – their job is to obey whatever is decided for them like, paying Rs100 happily on Petrol, putting on masks even while alone in a car, linking aadhar number with everything in the globe, and what not.
And, in case any question arises against the government which is termed as ‘anti-national’, better console yourself with the thought that the government must have done something right! Anyway, the capacity to think is patented by the government; people cannot think critically of late.
The Democracy You Want (?)
What kind of democracy do you want in 2023? Old or new? I am quite old fashioned – I want vikash as well as debate, discussion, opinion, freedom, constitution and accountability. The wind, though, is blowing in favour of new democracy, however it might ignite a spark. So, keep a fire extinguisher handy.
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