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The open letter penned by a group of 87 former civil servants to the Election Commission resonates with a profound sense of concern regarding the integrity of the electoral process in India. These distinguished individuals, part of the Constitutional Conduct Group, have highlighted troubling trends that jeopardize the fundamental principles of free and fair elections.

By S.B. Mazumder Their apprehensions are not unfounded. The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amidst the fervor of election season raises questions about the timing and motivations behind such actions. The group rightly points out that coercive measures could have been deferred until after the conclusion of the electoral process, preventing any perception of political bias or interference. Similarly, the resurgence of old assessments by the Income Tax Department targeting opposition parties, coupled with the perceived lack of urgency in addressing other pressing issues, raises eyebrows. The group's skepticism regarding the impartiality and efficacy of central law enforcement agencies in such matters strikes a chord with many observers. Moreover, the concerns raised about the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the need for robust verification mechanisms like Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) are paramount. In an era where technology plays an inc
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The Unspoken Truth: Unemployment, Inflation, and Corruption in the Shadows of Election Rhetoric

 By S.B. Mazumder As the electoral drumbeats grow louder and the nation braces itself for another democratic exercise, the question looms large: what truly matters in this election? The pulse of the people, as revealed by the Lokniti-CSDS survey, points unequivocally to the specters of unemployment and inflation haunting the common citizen. Yet, amidst the clamor of political rallies and fervent speeches, these pressing concerns seem relegated to the periphery. The stark reality is that the public's anguish over joblessness and soaring prices is palpable. It transcends regional, linguistic, and social barriers, striking at the heart of everyday struggles. The Lokniti-CSDS survey underscores that these issues are not mere statistics but lived experiences, shaping the electorate's choices and aspirations. However, amidst the political cacophony, one voice remains conspicuously silent – that of Prime Minister Modi on the issue of employment. Despite the solemn responsibility of st

Unmasking the Dark Veil of Electoral Bonds: The Lingering Shadow of Black Money in Indian Politics

By S.B. Mazumder In the convoluted saga of political financing in India, electoral bonds emerged as a promising solution, yet they only served to veil the pervasive presence of black money within the corridors of power. Despite assertions by the government that these bonds would bring transparency to political funding, the recent Supreme Court ruling striking them down as unconstitutional shines a stark light on the enduring issue of cash-driven politics. Electoral bonds were envisioned as a tool to sanitize the flow of funds to political parties by allowing donors to contribute ostensibly anonymously. However, this anonymity proved to be a double-edged sword, as it shielded potential quid pro quos between donors and political recipients. While parties were privy to the identities of their benefactors, the public was left in the dark, rendering the entire system vulnerable to manipulation and corruption. The government's promise that electoral bonds would cleanse the system of unac

The Erosion of Democracy: BJP's Stranglehold on Indian Politics

In recent times, India has witnessed a concerning trend of democratic institutions being manipulated and opposition voices being silenced under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The use of government agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department (IT) to target opposition leaders has raised serious questions about the health of democracy in the country. The blatant misuse of these agencies to harass and intimidate political opponents undermines the very foundation of democracy. By incarcerating opposition leaders and subjecting them to legal harassment, the BJP government is effectively crushing dissent and monopolizing power. Such tactics not only weaken the democratic fabric of the nation but also erode public trust in the fairness and impartiality of the legal system. Furthermore, the stranglehold of the BJP government extends to the media, with reports of censorship and suppression becoming incre

Vir Das | I COME FROM TWO INDIAS

BJP विधायक ने कराया था अरविंद केजरीवाल पर ऑनलाइन पोल, हो गई किरकिरी

टि्वटर पर कराए गए इस सर्वे में 70 फीसदी लोगों ने 'दिल्ली के दिल में केजरीवाल' को वोट दिया तो 30 फीसदी लोगों ने 'दिल्ली का ठग केजरीवाल' पर बटन दबाया. विधायक और दि ल्ली बीजेपी के नेता मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने मंगलवार को एक ऑनलाइन पोल कराया और लोगों से मौजूदा मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल के बारे में राय जाननी चाही. टि्वटर पर इस ऑनलाइन पोल में दो ऑप्शन दिए गए-'दिल्ली के दिल में केजरीवाल' और 'दिल्ली का ठग केजरीवाल'. टि्वटर पर कराए गए इस सर्वे में 70 फीसदी लोगों ने 'दिल्ली के दिल में केजरीवाल' को वोट दिया तो 30 फीसदी लोगों ने 'दिल्ली का ठग केजरीवाल' पर बटन दबाया. आम आदमी पार्टी के विधायक और प्रवक्ता सौरभ भारद्वाज ने सिरसा के इस पोस्ट को रिट्वीट किया और कहा कि 'बड़ी खुशी की बात है कि भाजपा विधायक मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने अपने ट्विटर पर जनता से राय मांगी और जनता ने कहा, उनको फॉलो करने वालों ने कहा-70 प्रतिशत लोगों ने कहा- दिल्ली के दिल में केजरीवाल. मतलब भाजपा वोटर भी दिल्ली में केजरीवाल चाहता है.' इस ऑनलाइन पोल के बारे में जब बीज

‘Country Needs a Prime Minister, Not a Chowkidar’: Viral Video of Youth Slamming Modi (Watch)

“At one time you tell the youth to sell pakodas, and at other times you talk about becoming a chowkidar.” A clip, from a debate show ‘Takkar’ on Hindi news channel Aaj Tak, is going viral on social media. In the video, a young man is seen strongly taking on the Prime Minster’s “Main Bhi Chowkidar” campaign. In just 26 seconds, this guy has exposed @narendramodi on his failure to create jobs, called out his Chowkidaar gimmick and reminded Modi that he is a PM, asked him to stop lying that Congress hasn't done anything for the country. Wow! Must watch and RT pic.twitter.com/uOhBUyA2US — Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) 17 March 2019 Speaking from the audience, the youth is seen addressing the BJP spokesperson on the podium, telling him that, “At one time you tell the youth to sell pakodas, and at other times you talk about ‘chowkidar.’ Country needs an effective Prime Minster, not a chowkidar.” The youth emphatically hits out at the PM for his constant ref