In his compelling anthology of essays, The Crooked Timber of New India: Essays on a Republic in Crisis, Parakala Prabhakar delivers a profound examination of India’s governance, economy, and societal fabric during the tumultuous period spanning 2020 to 2023. Drawing upon his expertise as a political economist and former communication advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Prabhakar meticulously dissects the challenges faced by India under its current political dispensation.
Political Landscape and Governance: Rhetoric vs. Reality
Prabhakar’s essays meticulously unravel the glaring disparity between political rhetoric and tangible outcomes, offering incisive critiques of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He exposes the widening gap between promises of prosperity and the stark realities of unmet mandates and persistent denial within the ruling establishment.
Employing insights from figures like Sanjaya Baru, Prabhakar unearths the administration’s failure to deliver on critical commitments, especially in economic management. He deftly navigates through a landscape marred by misinformation, challenging prevailing narratives often perpetuated by a media aligned with the government.
Economic Challenges and Policies: Misguided Strategies
Prabhakar’s scrutiny extends to the government’s economic policies, which he portrays as misguided and detrimental to the nation’s welfare. He sheds light on rising unemployment rates and the opacity surrounding job creation data, symptoms of economic mismanagement that persist despite alarming statistics. For instance, in August 2022, the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy reported an alarming 8.3% unemployment rate, coinciding with the disappearance of 2.1 million jobs – an undeniable trend exacerbated by governmental obfuscation.
The author attributes economic distress affecting millions to the staggering incompetence of the current regime. Prabhakar vociferously criticizes the absence of a coherent economic blueprint, condemning the sale of public sector assets as evidence of a government echoing neo-liberal market ideologies that enrich cronies at the expense of public resources.
Social Fragmentation and Majoritarianism: Threats to Unity
Venturing into the realm of majoritarian politics, Prabhakar exposes deliberate efforts to exploit societal fault lines for political gain. He unveils the suppression of dissent and marginalization of minority groups, signaling a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism. This majoritarian approach, tearing at India’s social fabric, exacerbates economic distress and widens the gap between governance rhetoric and tangible outcomes.
Delving into contentious issues such as farm laws, Prabhakar’s incisive critique underscores the urgent need to heal societal fractures, advocating for inclusivity and unity in a nation deeply divided along ideological lines.
Governance During Crisis: Failures Amidst Pandemic
Prabhakar’s examination extends to governance failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, condemning the government’s denialism and mishandling of the crisis. Systemic lapses in addressing vulnerable populations, notably migrant workers, reveal a stark absence of preparedness and empathy. Calling for independent public inquiries, Prabhakar urges a rigorous evaluation of the state’s economic and financial responses during this human tragedy.
With a spotlight on the plight of migrant laborers forsaken by callous governance, Prabhakar highlights a distressing rise in poverty levels since the 1990s. From farm laws to the erosion of social cohesion under majoritarianism, the book illuminates various issues plaguing India amidst uncritical support for the ruling party.
Civil Liberties and Justice: Upholding Democratic Values
Prabhakar’s exploration of civil liberties exposes the misuse of laws like UAPA to stifle dissent and incarcerate individuals without adequate evidence. Tragic cases such as Fr. Stan Swamy’s demise epitomize systemic injustices within India’s justice system. Denouncing the abuse of investigative agencies to silence opposition, Prabhakar champions accountability and transparency as pillars of a robust democracy.
Through his essays, Prabhakar galvanizes readers toward active citizen engagement and resistance against encroaching authoritarianism. Emphasizing critical thinking and civic participation, he implores individuals to confront India’s harsh realities and shape a more equitable future for the nation.
Challenges to Socioeconomic Stability
The author emphasizes a troubling trend in India’s socioeconomic landscape, noting a significant rise in poverty levels not seen since the 1990s, with an additional 75 million people categorized as poor in 2021 alone. Highlighting global indices, he points out India’s decline in the UNDP Global Human Development Index to 132 out of 191 countries and its ranking of 107th out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2022.
Moreover, small and medium-scale industries continue to suffer from the aftermath of demonetization, showcasing a regime fixated on unchecked power. The author critiques the erosion of electoral accountability, noting that the ruling party can form governments despite electoral rejection. Those critical of majoritarian ideologies face sedition charges, reflecting a shift away from transparency and accountability towards rhetoric and slogans.
The author delves into the misuse of legal mechanisms like the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), highlighting cases where individuals faced extended incarceration without sufficient evidence. Fr. Stan Swamy’s case is emblematic, yet there are others like Kanchan Nanaware who succumbed to health issues in custody. Recent amendments to the UAPA have tightened its grip, leading to long-delayed acquittals for many detainees, such as Mohammed Irfan and Mohammed Ilyas, who spent nine years in prison before being cleared.
Concerns also extend to internet shutdowns, with a staggering number in 2019, revealing unchecked government control over digital platforms through IT Rules. The ruling party’s digital presence shapes public discourse, contributing to social divisions and animosities within a stratified society. The author explores historical narratives like Subhas Bose’s legacy, illustrating attempts by the ruling dispensation to appropriate historical figures to suit their agenda, such as portraying conflicts between Gandhi and Bose as Nehru versus Bose.
Connecting the Dots: A Critical Perspective
From farm laws to incidents like Lakhimpur Kheri, the book unveils majoritarian tyranny and blind allegiance to bombastic leadership, warning against relying solely on electoral outcomes to resist this ideological onslaught. It serves as a critical prism connecting the dots of contemporary India, highlighting the challenges of governance and societal fabric amidst a rapidly changing landscape.
Summing up
In conclusion, The Crooked Timber of New India emerges as a clarion call for informed discourse and proactive change. Prabhakar’s rigorous analysis illuminates the fractures within India’s governance and society, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable future.
This book is indispensable for those seeking not just to understand, but to actively shape India’s trajectory amidst formidable challenges. Through Prabhakar’s essays, readers gain the tools to dismantle apathy and sow seeds of transformation, ensuring that the promise of India’s democracy endures and flourishes.