An appeal from the PADS, India

Appeal to non-BJP opposition Parties Regarding 2019 Elections

from

Battini S Rao

Convenor, People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS)

The coming 2019 may prove to be a watershed in India’s political history, as were the 1977 elections

forty-two years ago. In 1977, elections were held after a declared Emergency, during which the

Constitution was suspended, political activity disallowed and opposition leaders and activists

imprisoned. The success of non-Congress parties in those elections strengthened the electoral system

in Indian democracy. Since then all ruling parties losing elections have demitted office gracefully,

rather than attempting to subvert the popular mandate.

However, since 2014, the Modi government has attacked democracy in more insidious, thoroughgoing

and indirect ways. This attack is aimed at weakening the institutional and popular foundations

of democracy in India. It should be stressed that the regime has functioned in close proximity with its

parent body, the RSS. Its policies are designed in pursuance of the RSS goal of militarising the

political culture and creating an atmosphere of perpetual communal conflict. These are some of the

elements of this strategy.

1. The Modi regime has devalued constitutional institutions, subverted the separation of powers,

and used executive power for sectarian and corrupt purposes. It has diminished the legislative

authority of the parliament, hidden information from parliamentary committees, and used it as

a platform for political abuse. The use of CBI against political opponents, meddling in its

functioning - including subverting its internal structure with the help of hand-picked officials

is one of its infamous deeds. It has lied to the judiciary, and interfered in judicial

appointments with mala-fide intentions. Governors appointed by it in states ruled by

opposition parties have acted shamelessly as its agents.

2. The Cabinet system is in shambles, the principle of collective responsibility thrown to the

winds. The PMO and a clutch of favoured officials and non-constitutional authorities such as

the NSA have usurped the power tomake major decisions. This has been exposed most clearly

in the Rafale deal.

3. The Modi regime has tried to subvert the federal structure of the Union to concentrate central

power. Agencies such as the CBI, NIA, ED have been used opportunistically for this purpose.

4. The Modi regime has shamelessly subverted India’s criminal justice system. The use of

sedition law and the NSA against students, journalists and activists who question it has

become pervasive. Prosecution trials of Hindutva activists accused of terrorist acts have been

wrecked from within. Upright officials have been victimised, and even judges threatened

discreetly. The file containing evidence on Aseemanand’s involvement in the (Malegaon blast

case) disappeared. Crucial evidence on the death of Judge Loya and two of his friends was

apparently ignored and the case was subject to an indecent burial – the manner in which this

was done has brought disrepute to our judiciary.

5. In states like UP, police have unleashed a reign of fake encounters to eliminate and threaten

opposition party workers. In scores of incidents involving public lynching of poor people

transporting cows, the so-called cow-vigilantes filmed themselves carrying out these brutal

acts, indicating their confidence that they would be protected. In sum, the BJP/RSS regime

has openly enabled hooliganism and violence. With what face can it confront Maoist and

jehadi violence?

6. The Modi regime has tried to destroy the autonomy of important institutions of governance,

which are necessary to maintain impartiality, professionalism and transparency. This became

obvious in the case of the RBI, NSSO and CBI. The autonomy of institutions such as the

Election Commission, Central Information Commission, etc has been sought to be

compromised. Even more sinister is the attempt to drag the military and security organs into

their political campaign.

7. The Modi regime has used state power to advance the totalitarian programme of the RSS and

its affiliates. Marginalised communities have suffered the most from this policy. Religious

minorities have been threatened and attempts made to erode their political representation and

constitutionally protected rights. There have been a series of attacks on Dalits who question

the caste system; and Adivasis trying to assert their autonomy. It tried to pass a communalised

Citizenship Amendment bill which makes a mockery of the secular Constitution, and would

have destroyed the delicate fabric of community relationships in North-East India.

8. The Modi regime has tried to criminalise India’s political culture and reduce it to gutter

politics. The Prime Minister and BJP President have lied in public rallies and used offensive

language against their political opponents. Its armies on social media have systematically

circulated rumours and fake claims, and trolled critics of the government with hate messages

in foul language including threats of rape and molestation. Organised groups have attacked

and threatened ordinary citizens in the name of patriotism.

9. In the aftermath of the Pulwama suicide bombing, RSS fronts (ABVP, VHP, Bajrang Dal)

have attacked innocent Kashmiri students and traders in places like Dehra Dun, thus further

undermining social integrity, which depends on the impartial rule of law. This propaganda

campaign was so poisonous that the CRP command had to run a programme to counter the

communal poison being spread on social media by the so-called patriots. Senior retired

Armed Forces officers have denounced these attempts at politicising the Services. It is now

clear that anyone who differs from the RSS/BJP runs the risk of being attacked as ‘antinational’

All these are taking India towards a totalitarian and violent mass culture, which will

be a threat to everyone who do not come out to support the regime. Any successes of BJP in

the coming elections will deepen the hollowing out of Indian democracy. All non-BJP

political parties, irrespective of their programmes, and regardless of the social groups they

represent, will be victims of the implosion of democracy under BJP/RSS rule.

We appeal to all opposition political parties to realise and confront the gravity of the threat to

democracy. It is a time to rise above political competition. Political parties can function only in a

democratic institutional structure and popular culture. If Modi, the BJP and the RSS succeed in their

plans, our democratic institutions will be destroyed, and political parties will become irrelevant.

Besides an operational and effective electoral understanding, it is essential that parties project a

minimum programme to undo the most insidious actions of the Modi regime. This should include the

following.

1. law on sedition should be scrapped.

2. We need a public commitment to strengthen citizens’ rights by not allowing misuse of

draconian laws like the NSA, and further strengthen the right to information (RTI). A charter

of citizen’s The law for electoral bonds passed by the Modi government, allowing anonymous

corporate contributions should be scrapped. All contributions to political parties should be

transparent.

3. The colonial rights should be brought out.

4. Strengthen rights-based social welfare programmes like the MNREGA.

5. Laws are needed against social media abuse, particularly ones directed at women, in the light

of threats of sexual violence received by many women activists, writers and journalists.