The dust of post-election period has started to settle down. The new PM Narendra Modi is in firm grip of the seat of power and administrative overhauling is in full swing. After the initial euphoria the hard reality is dawning upon the new dispensation that ruling over India is harder than winning an election. An election can be won by enthusing people, playing with popular sentiments and making captivating promises, but administrating a country of India’s dimension and solving her problems requires not only broad vision but hard work plus sincere cooperation of diverse sections of this multi-cultural, multi-religious country of myriad currents, under-currents and cross-currents.
Due credit should be given to the decade long government of Congress which tried to fuse the demands of progress with democratic requirements. During its rule, it introduced schemes like MGNREGA and midday meals and succeeded in bringing down poverty of ordinary population from 37.2 per cent to 21.3 per cent, thus uplifting 190 million people out of poverty.
But one worrisome factor has been the steady increase in the power of corporate India. It is now controlling a large part of economy and owns about 450 TV channels. It had a vested interest in supporting BJP and Modi who projected themselves as capitalism friendly. This capitalist section was largely responsible for BJP’s success and would try now to get its pound of flesh. This is a big danger for democracy and for marginalised sections and minorities. Its control of media is also a big challenge.
The ever expanding middle class of India is more assertive today. It would be an uphill task for PM Modi and his party to satisfy the aspirations of this class and at the same time protecting the Constitutional safeguards and maintaining the rule of law.
Of particular importance would be Modi’s policies on minorities, especially Muslims, whose marginalisation he accepted in his first speech in Lok Sabha. It is for him whether he emerges as a successful leader of whole India and gets a place in the annals of India’s history or is consigned to the dustbin of history. We wish him success in the great task.
The recent communal flare-ups in Maharashtra and merciless murder of a young Muslim in Pune have also sent shockwaves throughout the whole country. It is to be seen whether the Government is serious against the criminals or not. Likewise, the attitude of Modi regarding the culprits responsible for the fake encounters also would be taken note of. Not only India but the whole world is watching Mr. Modi on these issues.