Intellectuals and activists warn of threats to democratic values amid allegations against BJP government

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: India's upcoming parliament election has sparked grave concern among intellectuals, journalists, and activists about the state of democracy.

Echoeing the sentiment, Aakar Patel, a prominent Indian journalist, writer, and activist, claimed on Wednesday that “This is going to be the first election cycle in the history of Indian democracy without a free or fair vote.”

His remarks were made during the launch of a booklet titled “We Have Suffered Enough: 10 Dark Years 10 Great Betrayals,” which catalogues alleged malpractices and wrongdoings by the current BJP government.

The booklet is a scathing indictment of the BJP government's policies and actions over the past decade.

It highlights a myriad of issues plaguing the nation, including the decline of the agricultural sector, economic setbacks, corporate exploitation, rampant corruption, erosion of reservation, atrocities against minorities, injustice towards certain states like Karnataka, and a general deterioration of democratic and constitutional values.

Teesta Setalvad, a well known civil rights activist and journalist, echoed Patel's concerns.

She emphasised the booklet's importance and timeliness, expressing her desire for it to be translated and released in all Indian languages.

She said, “In the last 10 years, the Indian government has declared war on several sections of its own people. This government is not for the people, of the people, and by the people.”

She further warned that if the BJP government retains power, they could potentially undermine the very foundations of India's democracy by disregarding the preamble and Constitution, leading the country towards authoritarianism.

She cited the situation in Manipur as a grim example of the government's disregard for democratic norms.

Painting a bleak picture of the upcoming election, Setalvad urged the Indian populace to view it as a pivotal moment—a "do-or-die" election that offers an opportunity to break free from the "calendar of shame" of the past decade.

She passionately said that “We need to reach every corner of the country and make every vote count.”

Despite his apprehensions, Aakar Patel conceded that the BJP still stands a chance of securing victory in the election.

Drawing a historical parallel, he recalled the election in the 1970s when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was accused of using state machinery for her campaign, resulting in her election being declared null and void.

Patel argued that the current situation is even more concerning, with the government allegedly abusing its power and authority to target minorities.

Highlighting the government's discriminatory stance, he said “15% of our population are Muslims, which is about 200 million people, and the government thinks they can just get rid of or control 15% of the population.”

Such divisive tactics, he suggested, are not only detrimental to the nation's social fabric but also pose a grave threat to its democratic principles.