Is Attorney General’s submission not akin to implying that a spouse has no right to be informed if their partner is being unfaithful or engaging in an adulterous relationship, simply because adultery isn’t a crime?
In the grand theater of democracy, we, the citizens, often perceive ourselves as the directors of the show. But what if we are merely the puppets, our strings pulled by unseen hands?
Lets equip ourselves with the knowledge to fight back, to reclaim our sovereignty as citizens, and to take back the director’s chair in the theater of democracy.
The term ‘democracy’ conjures up vivid imagery—a system where the people are supreme, their voices and choices shaping the path of governance. It embodies ideals of transparency, accountability, and the capacity to hold representatives to their commitments. But within the obscure realm of political financing and the enigmatic world of electoral bonds, and spoofing into the mobiles of opposition leaders, is this democratic ideal slipping from our grasp? Are we but puppets in a grand political spectacle, manipulated by concealed puppeteers? Let’s draw back the curtains on this disconcerting narrative and cast light upon the strings that steer our democracy.
This audacious claim raises pertinent questions about the transparency and fairness of our political funding processes. The focal point of this debate is the contentious electoral bonds, introduced in 2017 through a finance bill that bypassed the Rajya Sabha. These instruments allow individuals and corporations to donate to political parties without revealing their identity or the amount donated.
The Chief Justice DY Chandrachud-led bench has instructed the Election Commission to compile information on electoral bond donations, in line with the 2019 interim order, which raised concerns about possible quid pro quo agreements between donors and influential political entities. Additionally, the bench noted that the electoral bond scheme exhibits a selective level of anonymity, as the State Bank of India is the exclusive custodian of this confidential data, while the Election Commission, tasked with overseeing political funding, is denied access.
The Attorney General’s assertion that citizens have no right to know the sources of political funding is legally dubious and morally unacceptable. It implies that our voices and choices are inconsequential in the world of money and vested interests, turning us into spectators rather than participants in our democracy. This disregard for our intelligence and dignity poses a grave threat to the very foundations of our democratic system.
As history has shown, political funding is a potent force that can shape the quality and integrity of governance. It influences decisions on critical issues such as the economy, environment, health, education, security, and human rights. It fosters conflicts of interest, corruption, cronyism, and the capture of state institutions by powerful lobbies. It distorts electoral competition, favouring parties with deep pockets over those with genuine popular support. Most critically, it erodes public trust and confidence in the democratic system.
Another menacing shadow on our democracy is the recent warning from Apple about alleged government surveillance of opposition leaders’ mobile phones. This intrusion into private lives raises concerns about privacy, human rights, and the emergence of a system where suppressing opposition is seen as the key to maintaining power. This situation, reminiscent of monarchies where the king could intrude into everyone’s life, is a troubling development that should not be taken lightly.
The Attorney General’s stance on the lack of legal provisions for transparency in political funding, combined with reports of government surveillance in defiance of existing laws, paints a disconcerting picture. Are we approaching a scenario where democracy exists only in theory, with no room for dissent? This is a critical issue that must be addressed urgently to preserve our democratic values.
In a true democracy, the people’s voices should be the guiding force. Transparency, accountability, and the assurance that the will of the people prevails should be the bedrock of a healthy democracy. Without these principles, democracy risks becoming a mere puppet show, where the true masters of power remain concealed behind the veil of anonymity and secrecy.
The Supreme Court has reservedthe verdict, instructing the Election Commission of India to gather up-to-date data on electoral bonds from the State Bank of India and political parties. This decision is crucial for our democracy’s future. It will determine whether our democracy continues to becentered around the people or falls prey to anonymous donations.
It is vital as citizens of this nation, that we will not succumb to the strings and we deny to be mere puppets, we insist on transparency and accountability in political funding. We deserve to know who funds our political parties and candidates, their donation amounts, and their expectations. We have the right to scrutinise such funding’s motives and impacts, and to participate in the political funding process through legal reforms, regulatory oversight, public disclosure, citizen audits, and social movements.
It’s crucial for citizens to stay alert and involved, and to untangle the intricate network of political funding to maintain a true democratic representation. We cannot afford to be passive or indifferent to this issue. We cannot let our democracy be reduced to a puppet show, where we are manipulated by unseen strings. We must reclaim our sovereignty as citizens and assert our role as watchdogs and stakeholders in our democracy. We must make our voices and choices count. It’s time to unveil the hidden strings and restore the true essence of democracy.
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