Abdul Ghaffar Siddiqui 9897565066 The results of the assembly elections in five states have been announced. The most surprising results are from West Bengal, where, after independence, the lotus has bloomed for the first time. Although exit polls after the elections also predicted a BJP victory, no one expected the Bharatiya Janata Party to win so many seats, not even the party's top officials; they were hoping for a majority by a small margin. What will be the consequences of this victory? What are the reasons for the TMC's defeat? What should be the plan of action for opposition parties in the future? These are the questions that will be pondered over in the coming days and attempts will be made to find answers. Unfortunately, since the Bharatiya Janata Party has come to power at the center, opposition parties have been losing their governments in various states one by one. Today, there is saffron leadership in almost 22 states in the country.
Since the BJP has come to power at the center and in various states, several major changes have been seen in the country. Some of these changes are positive and beneficial for the public, while others are troublesome for the public, especially Muslims. If we look for the positive side, the country has made progress in many fields. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana are considered important welfare schemes of the BJP's central government. Under the Jan Dhan Yojana, over 50 crore bank accounts have been opened by 2024, with more than Rs 2 lakh crore deposited, and about 55% of the accounts are in the name of women, making direct assistance and reduction in corruption possible. Similarly, under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, about 50 crore people have been provided with health insurance, with over 6 crore treatments done so far, and each family can avail treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year, reducing the burden of expensive treatment on the poor. Additionally, the Digital India program has made government services online, and the number of internet users in the country has exceeded 80 crore, with over 1000 crore digital transactions recorded every month under the Unified Payments Interface, which is a significant step towards financial transparency and convenience. The Swachh Bharat Mission has constructed over 11 crore toilets and largely eliminated open defecation in rural areas, resulting in improved sanitation and health standards and a decrease in diseases. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has provided over 9.6 crore LPG connections, freeing women from smoke, improving health, and saving time. The Bharat Net project has brought broadband internet to rural areas, connecting lakhs of villages with optical fiber, while the Aadhaar system has provided digital identity to over 130 crore people, enabling direct transfer of subsidies and government services.
On the other hand, some activities have also emerged during this period that have harmed the country's integrity and affected religious freedom, eroded trust in the media, and increased the use of government agencies against the opposition. Critics argue that the Citizenship Amendment Act has raised questions about the country's secular identity, as it includes religion in the criteria for granting citizenship. The abrogation of Article 370 has been criticized for affecting the federal structure and state autonomy. The National Register of Citizens has also raised concerns that it may create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among the poor and weaker sections, especially Muslims, as proving citizenship may be practically difficult for many. Furthermore, the strict application of the law against unlawful activities has been seen as a threat to civil liberties, with the arrest of journalists or social activists being cited as examples, which raises questions about the balance between the state and citizen rights. In this context, critics also view the increasing trend of hate speech as a serious problem, arguing that the lack of effective action against religious or ethnic-based statements by some political or social elements deepens social divisions. The incidents of "love jihad" or cow-related violence are also seen as harmful to the country's social harmony and secular image, while concerns about media freedom, pressure on educational institutions, and ideological changes in the curriculum are also raised.
Critics also point out that the Enforcement Directorate and other investigative agencies are sometimes seen as being used as a tool for political pressure, particularly in the context of actions against opposition parties, creating an impression of selective action. The issue of media freedom is also included in this discussion; for example, India's ranking in the global press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders has relatively declined in recent years, which critics see as a sign of pressure or self-censorship. Some political examples, such as the cases of some Aam Aadmi Party leaders, are cited to support this perception, although each case has its own legal details.
On the other hand, one of the main reasons for the victories in these states is also attributed to the disunity among opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress and the Indian National Congress fought the election separately in almost every seat in West Bengal, despite the Congress being aware of its weak position, resulting in a division of votes. Similarly, the head of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Asaduddin Owaisi, contested a limited number of seats, but critics argue that his speeches indirectly influenced voter trends in some constituencies, affecting the overall election results. Some statements and activities of Hamayun Kabir have also been controversial, and critics believe that he too played a role in heating up the political atmosphere and influencing voter alignments. Other political parties and independent candidates also played a significant role in dividing votes.
Some critics argue that certain actions by the Election Commission of India, such as the SIR exercise and the deployment of central armed police forces in sensitive areas, influenced the electoral process. Allegations of external interference and tampering with electronic voting machines have also surfaced from time to time, which critics cite as one of the reasons for some results. However, the Election Commission and related agencies reject these allegations, arguing that the electoral process is transparent and follows rules, and the use of EVMs has been deemed secure at the judicial and technical levels. Therefore, opinions on this issue are also divided.
I am not saying that the BJP's victory in West Bengal will lead to a catastrophe in the country, but given the perception that in some states under its rule, distances between different classes have increased, and in some incidents, certain sections have been mistreated, subjected to violence, or their institutions targeted, there is a fear that this trend may be repeated in West Bengal. Similarly, there is an ongoing debate about issues like the Uniform Civil Code, with concerns about how the rights of different sections will be protected and diversity respected in its implementation. However, all these points are based on different opinions and claims, and there is no consensus on them.
In any case, it is the responsibility of those in power to treat all citizens with justice, ensure equality and justice within the framework of the Constitution, and avoid any kind of discrimination. We are all citizens of the same country, and mutual brotherhood, tolerance, and respect are our real strength. The country's interest should be paramount, and no religion teaches hatred or enmity. Therefore, it is essential that every citizen gets the rights granted by the Constitution of India and that a peaceful, just, and harmonious society is formed.
In this electoral process, those who have won are deserving of congratulations, and for those who have lost, my advice is to honestly review their defeat.
