Category Governance and Law

Preventing Democratic Backsliding Isn’t the Same as Securing Democracy

The INDIA bloc’s ability to rein in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vaulting ambition to godhood does not extend to addressing a vast democracy deficit

In an interim assessment of the election results, I made six points:

One, India’s next government would be a coalition government.

Two, Indian democracy has become stronger with the emergence of a strong Opposition, and a clear verdict that the people do not appreciate the politics of hatred and division, peddled aggressively by Prime Minister Modi.

Three, the Congress has halted its steady decline, which had persuaded several of its aspiring leaders and spokespersons to defect to the BJP.

INDIA: A Great Vision That Needed Stronger Implementation

Czech-born British playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard had aptly noted, “…it’s not the voting that’s democracy. It’s the counting...". Counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is still on, but the current trend so far suggests the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form the next government in New Delhi, India.

Understanding the BJP’s Triumph and BJD’s Fall in Odisha

The tables have turned for Naveen T Patnaik and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha. Analysts and even the diehard supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could not have imagined that the saffron party would unseat Patnaik, the formidable and popular chief minister of the eastern state since 2000. While it was expected that the BJP would drastically improve its Lok Sabha seat share in the state, largely aided by the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not many had thought that a comparatively weak BJP would dominate the assembly elections.

A Lifeline for Widows: Insights into the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

Like many other countries, India struggles to meet the needs of its vulnerable populations — especially widowed women who often experience social exclusion and financial hardship. In response to this pressing issue, the Government of India introduced the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) in 2009.

Innovative Technologies May Address EVM Manipulation Issues

The integrity of elections now depends not on the integrity of the election officials but on the integrity of the software and engineers of 2 EVM manufacturers.

The essential task of a voting system is to make sure that a vote that is cast is cast as intended, recorded as cast, and counted as recorded. Many fear that the ongoing Indian elections, presided over by one of the least inspiring Chief Election Commissioners of the recent past, will fail to fulfil this task.

A Call for Clarity: Addressing the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not actually say Congress would give the gold of poor women, and the silver of tribal families, to Muslims. He said the Congress would carry out this metallic expropriation for redistribution among “those who have many children”, to those who are “infiltrators”. Who has many children, and who are infiltrators?

We are happy our PM does not do Hindu-Muslim, but what is he accusing Congress of? Wanting to steal 'mangalsutra' from poor women to give to poor men?

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