Report On Modi Government Points To Inequality And Attack On Democracy

A report card on the performance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government titled “Promises and Reality 2019-2023: Citizen Review of 4+ years of NDA II Government” points to Centre’s delay in tackling inequality and attacks on democracy. The report was prepared by a group of academics and civil society organisations under ‘Wada Na Todo Abhiyan’ and requested attention of the Union government to address these issues so that “there is inclusive dialogue to build a just and inclusive nation,” The Hindu reports.

Regarding the position of democracy, the report opines that quick passage of Bills without proper debate, restricted engagement of parliamentary committees, limited sitting days and budgetary discussions, reduced access to data for Members of Parliament as well as the increased presence of elected representatives with criminal records are issues evoking concern. In the current climate, Media is striving to be alert, “in light of increased capital investment from those with business-oriented interests, rising communalism, diminishing space to critique the establishment, and rising attacks on journalists and media organisations not towing “the line””, The Hindu reports. Besides, the report argues that students, activists, academics, journalists, artists, actors, comedians, fact-checkers, publishers, and a range of other citizens were booked under the strict laws for exerting their fundamental right to freedom.

Despite the accelerating GDP growth rate, India continue to remain unequal, with the top 1% accounting for 22% of national income, and the top 10% together holding 57%. The report also stated that real wages of male agricultural labourers improved by less than 1% between 2014-15 and 2021-22, and number of people connected with farming sector committed suicide was close to 53,000 between 2017-2022. Furthermore, the report criticised the Centre for not extending transparent governance. “The track record of the current dispensation has been marked by a consistent undermining of legislations and institutions of transparency and accountability,” The Hindu quotes as report saying.

(With inputs from The Hindu)