When the BJP government in India swept into power in 2014, it made a lot of big promises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoyed huge popularity thanks in part to his savvy use of social media. He seemed exactly like the kind of prime minister a modern and vibrant India needed. Charismatic enough to be liked by the public, having enough political acumen to hold his own against top international leaders and with enough power to usher in fast-paced economic growth in his country. Cut to two years later and the good days Mr Modi promised have failed to materialise; at least as far as civil liberties are concerned. In its annual report released on February 24, Amnesty International has pointed out the Indian government’s failure to uphold personal freedoms. It has spoken critically of the government’s support for intolerance through both speech and action. NGOs critical of the Indian government have seen restrictions imposed on their funding, individuals have been kept in prison without any charges or trial and there is growing minorities- and caste-based discrimination.
Meanwhile, the Indian government terms criticism of its actions attempts to take attention away from its cornerstone policy of rapid economic growth. Mr Modi has said that he is the prime minister for the whole of India, not just of people belonging to a particular religion or caste. However, as protesters marched through Delhi, decrying the government’s decision to arrest a student leader on sedition charges, his assertion did not seem to hold true. The sedition charges are viewed as yet another attempt to censor free speech and curb the right of individuals to question government policies and actions. Amnesty International has noted in its report that while the Indian government does not appear willing to take measures to uphold civil liberties, the people of India have different ideas. There is widespread criticism from various segments of society against intolerance. If India is to become the pluralistic society it wishes to be, its government needs to pay attention to the voice of the people for whom the good days still seem a distant dream.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2016.
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Have we ever given a damn for external busybodies who, unsolicited, set up standards for India and then expects us to follow them? We did not give a damn when Foster Dulles termed our policies as immoral, yet today we are the darling of the same US, according to your own papers, having changed not an iota in our foreign policy. We remain equidistant. It is time all those busybodies minded their own business and left India to Indians because what you think of India is irrelevant.
Lets check what Amnesty has to say about Pakistan.
BJP in run up to Lok Sabha eelctions had raised pitch on tall promises and inadequacies of earlier government. expectations were raised to sky by making assurances like return of black money, increase in GDp growth, higher investments, better governance , opening of various sectors etc. Infact on the most of these fronts track record of state BJP governments was questionable like BJP blindly opposed reforms like GST, Insurance , Land acquisition etc. when in Opposition. Also on Nuclear deal with USA BJP was main architect of Opposition initiating no-confidence motion against Congress government.Even on economic development front, so-called Gujarat model which was boasted about by BJP and Modi, is now found to be faulty and full of holes in actual data.Modi now appears to have become victim of right wing cultural ideology of sangh parivar, rather than implementing pro-development promises made during elections.GDP , Exports, Indian currency appears to be faltering. price is under control more becoz of able RBI governor and low crude prices, rather than any well designed Fiscal policies of Modi government.Modi government appears to be talent deficit in Ministry and also outside advisors like sangh parivar.let us hope Modi is able to shed the miller stone in the form of sangh parivar and concentrate on making promises come true.