There are two forms of Political Opposition: Ideology-based or established ones, and Realistic or Issue-based ones. In recent times, the Political situation in India, seemingly, has turned into a mere ideological conflict between the supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Opposing Forces, where, it may be seen that it is the anti-Modi sentiment, which helps the Oppositions remain United. While one camp believes that Modi Can Do No Wrong, another camp is of the opinion that He Cannot Do Anything Right. This sort of Polarisation, in the case of the Indian Political Society, has started creating troubles for those who prefer to follow a Centrist Path. As a result, the term Collective Justice is slowly losing its essence. It seems that the Indian Political Society has lost its impetus to boost the National Economy, and to ensure Peace and Prosperity, as well…

Indians, as citizens of a Democratic Country, have every Right to dislike the approach of Prime Minister Modi, as far as implementations of Government Policies are concerned. It is a fact that the PM is trying to make the South Asian Nation more Business-Friendly. It should not be wise to blame him for making a serious attempt to remove innumerable obstacles created by decades-old inconsistent Government policies. Even, Socialist China and Russia have realised that fact that the Government would have to depend on Private Sector in order to turn the economy around in the long run! The Private Sector has the strength to boost the Economy. It, now, seems that so far, the Political Masters in India and their Ideologies have neglected the Private Sector in order to please (or appease) the Working and Middle Class Voters.

Furthermore, the Indian Political Parties believe in extorting money by putting Business Leaders and Industrialists under pressure. This creates Political and Administrative Obstacles. In the absence of specific Rules, there is a scope to collect money. In exchange, the Business Leaders receive Political favours. The People in Power have always nurtured this system for their own sake. However, the system promotes Economic Inefficiency and Corruption. That is why the State-run Companies have been bearing the brunt of financial losses.

Prime Minister Modi wants to change this system. He is privatising the Public Sector in an unprecedented speedy manner, apart from relaxing the rigid labour laws! He has also opened important sectors, such as Defence and Agriculture, for the Private Players. Hence, efforts are being made by the business-friendly Government to simplify Corporate Laws and Regulations. As a part of this initiative, the Government of India passed three Farm Acts in the Parliament in September 2020. A number of Farmers’ Unions and Politicians from the Opposition have described the Acts as Anti-Farmer Laws, saying that it would leave the farmers at the “mercy of corporates“. However, the Government is of the opinion that the process would be less lengthy for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers.

It seems that the basis of the ongoing Farmers’ Protests in India is Morality. Perhaps, the protesters believe that Big Businessmen always mean bad people! On the contrary, the fact is that the fastest growing corporate sector boosts the Global Economy. Some of the top companies, like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Boeing and Intel, have taken the responsibility of strengthening the US Economy. The scenario is similar in Socialist China, where the State is actively sponsoring Shenzhen-based multinational technology giant Huawei Technologies Company Limited and other organisations. Zaibatsus – a Japanese term, referring to Industrial and Financial Business Conglomerates which are Vertically Integrated, such as Mitsubishi and Sumitomo – have had the support of the Rulers since the 19th Century. In South Korea, there are family-controlled Business Alliances, like LG, Hyundai, SK and Samsung. With Government support, they have become the main forces of the National Economy.

The scenario is same everywhere in the world. To be a Global Player, one would have to increase one’s strength. The Corporate Sector is still growing in India. Hence, it needs support from the Government. So, the intension of the Government of India is quite clear. The problem lies in the process of execution. The arrogance of the Government is destroying the good intentions of the reforms. As far as the Corporate Sector is concerned, the Government should encourage and stimulate them in order to pave the way for their Growth. At the same time, it is also important to have some necessary regulatory rules so that they could not serve their own interests, only. In the West, no Corporate House is above scrutiny. No one can ignore Personal Liberty, Environment, Consumer Rights, etc. Even, Google had to face the wrath of the regulator! When it comes to the Rights and Interests of the People in India, the Regulators are seemingly very weak. As if the Indian Judiciary is so incompetent and shaky, the corporate houses are rarely held liable for offences committed by them. Thus, some corporate leaders have been seen leaving the country after embezzling a lot of money from the banks. In other words, the Government did not take care of Public Interests in the name of helping the Big Businessmen in the past. If the Government hurts public sentiment, then adverse reaction gets inevitably manifested…

Prime Minister Modi’s arrogant approach is also objectionable. The way his Government passed the three Farm Laws in the Parliament, despite their considerable merits, has triggered public anger. The Government should realise the importance of discussions, arguments, and counter-arguments before bringing a Change. It seems that some advocates, loyal to corporate houses, helped the Government prepare some of the provisions. According to one such provision, none of the farmers and others, whose interests are involved, can seek legal help in any matter arising out of these laws! If the Government tries to undermine the Fundamental Rights, then it will have to face protests. Equally offensive is the attempt to allow free unlimited storage of grain, and to deny the farmer the Minimum Support Price of the crops. In Developing Nations, the economy is always on the brink of collapse! Big changes should be made with consensus, and not by issuing directives.

At such a crucial juncture, the Government of India should avoid looking opinionated and arrogant attitude, with a reckless pattern of behaviour…

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das