• Dr. Udit Raj (Former MP)

With the liberation from British rule, India got the right to self-decision. A democratic system was established in the country, in which citizens have the right to choose their representatives. After independence, the country took steps towards economic and social development. Many great leaders and freedom fighters contributed to the freedom struggle of India, including people like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh. Due to their sacrifices and struggles, today we are living in a free India.

Those forces which did not participate in the freedom struggle and supported the British, got the reins of power in their hands. Naturally, the meaning of freedom is not very important for them. The people made their Constitution so that they can run the government and administration themselves. For this, it is most important that all citizens get equal right to vote and the one who wins with majority should represent them. When this is in danger, then to what extent are we free- the question is paramount.

Initially, the appointment of the Election Commissioner was done by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The role of the government became prominent in this process and thereafter the appointment process changed.

The Supreme Court in an important decision said that there should be an independent and transparent process for appointments in the Election Commission. The court suggested that a committee of the Chief Justice, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Prime Minister should recommend these appointments. People in the present government felt that the public would not make them win the elections in future, so a change was made.

A law was passed by the Parliament under which the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners were appointed on the recommendation of a selection committee. This committee comprises the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister. The Chief Justice was excluded from the selection committee and it is natural for the PM and his ministers to have a majority and appoint a commissioner of their choice. The Constitution had made a provision for an impartial Election Commission to prepare the voter list. Every citizen above 18 years of age should be included in the voter list. The entire administration was brought under it during elections so that there is no hindrance or interference.

How will democracy survive if the Election Commission itself starts stealing votes? The Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party are conspiring to steal votes. Shri Rahul Gandhi has proved that there are five ways of vote theft which include duplicate voters, wrong election forms, multiple voters in the same house, wrong or fake names in the voter list and misuse of Form 6. Allegations of fraud have been made in more than 100 seats which benefited the BJP. Shri Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of treason and said that vote theft is not just electoral fraud but it is a big fraud against the Constitution and Democracy. Before the Election Commission could clarify its allegations, the BJP jumped in. Here it is a case of the thief scolding the police. On the contrary, the Election Commission has asked Shri Rahul Gandhi to present evidence through an affidavit. The voter list and all the documents should be given to the Election Commission, but here everything is being done in a blatant manner.

The most disappointing thing is the inaction and neutrality of the public. They know that democracy is being murdered, they are not being heard. Unemployment is skyrocketing and they are troubled by inflation, but the public is not standing up. The rich are fleeing the country and education has been destroyed. The youth are not getting jobs and good education is going to the private sector and which is very expensive. Recently, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satyapal Malik passed away, he was ill and hence was not arrested. His only mistake was that he had refused to take bribe and he was also a complainant. Shri Rahul Gandhi exposed the theft of votes, but on the contrary the media, the government and the BJP are questioning him.

Looking at these things, it seems that the people of India have not yet become democratic minded. It is still true to a great extent, "Kou nrip hoi hamei ka haani, cheri chhandi ki hoib rani". It is a country with a slave mentality, divided into castes, fatalistic and hypocritical. This is the reason that the external invader who came, conquered, looted and ruled as he wished. The British rule was there in other countries, but the people there used to rebel, so there was no trust in them. If this had not been the case, the British government would not have sent about 8 lakh soldiers from India to fight against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire on behalf of Britain in the First World War. In the Second World War, about 25 lakh soldiers from India were sent to fight in various areas of the war under the British command. These soldiers fought on all major fronts including Europe, Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. They made a significant contribution to liberating Italy and to the war efforts. Hitler had imprisoned about three lakh Indian soldiers and they were away from India for a long time. So, they were influenced by the atmosphere of Europe and Subhash Chandra Bose prepared and Azad Hind Fauj was formed there.

The caste system not only distanced one human from another, but also taught us to hate. Due to this, brotherhood and humanity were destroyed and the sense of being one was bound to end. The entire Indian society became individualistic instead of collective and no adversity or adverse situation could unite them. The thinking is such that if the neighbor is benefited, then I will be benefited and whatever is in my destiny, no one can stop it. Democracy is on the verge of extinction, but the protest that should come from the society is not visible. This makes us think whether we even feel the value of democracy? Should the public not stand up today? If the public wants freedom, then it will have to be vigilant and not remain a mute spectator.

(The author is the National Chairman of Unorganised Workers and Employees Congress (KKC) and Confederation of Dalit, OBC, Minorities and Adivasi (DOMA) Organisations)