Public concern about the current state of Indian democracy remains high, according to the India Today MOTN (Mood of the Nation) poll. With 43.7 per cent of respondents in the latest poll saying they thought that democracy is in danger—though marginally less than in the previous MOTN in August 21—the trend of thought has remained worryingly constant.
In healthy democracies, citizens participate vigorously and effectively in the shaping of the policies and laws by which they are governed. Democratic constitutions provide for elected assemblies for citizens’ representatives to formulate new polices and pass laws. What is imperative is a process of democratic deliberation among citizens themselves.
Graphics by Asit Roy
In the opinion of 34 per cent of MOTN respondents, of the four pillars of democracy in India, the judiciary does the best job in upholding democratic norms, followed by the media at 20.3 per cent. While the legislature got only 13.4 per cent—probably a reflection of a dysfunctional Parliament—sadly, the executive has the confidence of only 10.4 per cent. Clearly, the courts are the surest bastion of citizens’ rights—or sentiments. There is also a growing belief that the judiciary must counterbalance government excesses, with 56 per cent of respondents saying so, a two percentage point increase since August 2021. There is also a drop from 32 per cent to 29 per cent in the same period in the perception that the judiciary is unnecessarily interfering in matters relating to governance. These are arguably urgent signals of growing public disquiet at the darkening shadows of elected authoritarianism and the need to build robust institutions for citizens’ participation in democratic governance.
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Graphics by Asit Roy
Both the right to dissent and protest in public as well as the enforcement of law, in cases of financial impropriety, are issues of concern. Our governments have notoriously relied on sedition laws of colonial provenance to silence voices of dissent. A little less than half of those polled (48.9 per cent) believe people are scared to protest or express themselves on any public platform for fear of arrest. That said, respondents holding such apprehensions accounted for 51 per cent of opinion in August 2021, suggesting a marginal decrease in this perception.
When it comes to fighting that perennial bugbear, corruption, however, the majority of respondents (55.5 per cent) seem convinced that the Narendra Modi government has been effective in reducing it. Over 41 per cent believe that government agencies such as the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the ED (Enforcement Directorate), the IT (Income Tax) department and the Central Vigilance Commission, through their searches and inquiries, are better equipped to control corruption. Others (19.9 per cent) believe the courts are the best check, while 13.5 per cent bank on the Lok Pal to do the job.
Graphics by Asit Roy
Privacy is an overwhelming concern (56.4 per cent) for those using digital media such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp; 35.7 per cent of respondents expressed worry and despair over this issue. Another 20.7 per cent are concerned about privacy, but are actively taking action to protect themselves. Many experts point to the recent original traceability laws as a particular threat to the data security and online privacy of Indian citizens .
Analysts admit that while there exists a legitimate State interest in surveillance, ensuring transparency and accountability in the functioning of government agencies is equally important. They say it is vital to commission a nationwide study of the technology requirements of law enforcement agencies, streamline the process to access digital evidence, and build the capacity of law enforcement agencies to analyse metadata.
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More reassuringly, the perception that India has become safer for women has spread to 43.8 per cent of MOTN respondents. In August 2021, it was just 38.8 per cent. Similarly, the MOTN survey reveals a growing perception that communal harmony has improved under the NDA government. This is the view of 45.5 per cent of respondents—still a significant rise from the 34 per cent recorded in the MOTN poll of August 2021 but lower than the January 2021 poll, which saw 55 per cent.
Graphics by Asit Roy
Graphics by Asit Roy
On the issue of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the MOTN reveals an overwhelming 72. 7 per cent of respondents in favour of such a move. This is a growing trend (65 per cent of respondents expressed the same view in the MOTN poll of August 2021). The UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
Graphics by Asit Roy
The government maintains that the legislature in its wisdom has to formulate a UCC. It has allowed the matter to rest there for the time being, stating that the Law Commission’s views on the matter are awaited. The Law Commission is trying to codify the various personal laws of different communities. Meanwhile, on January 7, the Supreme Court has given the government a “last opportunity” to make its stand clear and has directed that all petitions on the matter pending in high courts be transferred to it for adjudication. But from the affidavit submitted by the government to the Delhi High Court recently, it seems evident that the government does not consider this a matter for judicial resolution. It has signalled that the UCC is a policy matter to be decided by the legislature—and that only the government will decide the specifics and the timing of the decision. It’s worth noting that Goa has had a UCC since 1965, which applies to all of its residents.
Substance abuse is a growing trend. On December 21, the Parliament passed a bill to rectify errors that had crept into the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The rectification will be followed by another amendment as the Union government is working to decriminalise personal consumption of small quantities of drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances. Further changes are also being made to the NDPS law even as seizures of contraband are on the rise. The NDPS Act also prohibits the use of cannabis (ganja) and this is being challenged in courts use on various grounds including medicinal and industrial use. However, more than half the MOTN respondents (50.4 per cent) are opposed to decriminalising cannabis in India.
Yet, despite the relatively slow pace at which meaningful reforms are being brought in, the majority of respondents (75 per cent) said they were very happy or somewhat happy with the pace of change in the country. The bigger picture, in comparative terms, is a more telling story. The WHR20 Happiness Report released in March 2021 by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network compares citizens’ own perceptions of their wellbeing in 153 countries. According to the report, Indian citizens are amongst the least happy in the world: India ranks a very low 144th.
Graphics by Asit Roy
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