This Republic Day, ask not whether populism is a bad word

On the eve of our 67th Republic Day, many are asking if the values that our democracy stands for are under threat. While it is necessary to ask such questions periodically, not only on special occasions such as Independence or Republic Day, this time they are being raised in a special context.

Right-wing populism, it is alleged, has eroded the basic character of the country and the Constitution.

Style

Populism, of course, is the buzzword here. The view is that Donald Trump in the US, Vladimir Putin in Russia and, of course, Narendra Modi in India, all exemplify its worldwide rise. Implicit to such an argument is the mistaken belief that populism is essentially a right-wing phenomenon.

Even a cursory glance at previous populists shows this as patently false. Several left-wing and left-leaning leaders were also populist, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Juan Peron, and our own Indira Gandhi, who was as authoritarian as she was populist. Indeed, populism has little to do with ideology per se; it is more a political style, playing with and playing to the sentiments of the common populace. It just so happens that in different parts of the world tough-talking, nationalist politicians are on the rise; hence the charge of right-wing populism.

But in our own neighbourhood, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as “Prachanda,” also fits the bill, though none can forget that he led the Maoist insurgency. That is why the contention that the essentially “secular socialist” political fabric of the republic is being eroded by populism is somewhat suspect.

These two words, “secular” and “socialist” were introduced into the Preamble of the Constitution through the notorious 42nd Amendment in November 1977 by Indira Gandhi during the 21-month Emergency. Let us not forget that nothing in independent India’s history threatened our democracy as much as the Emergency, when fundamental rights and civil liberties were suspended. Indira Gandhi effectively ruled by decree, bypassing Parliament. The abominable MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) was imposed and most major opposition leaders imprisoned.

Needless to add, the press was also gagged, and a mechanism of internal spying set into motion to monitor dissent.

Slogan

Indira Gandhi, we must remember, was openly left-wing. During the Cold War, she moved India closer than ever to the Soviet Union, and cosied up to the Communists at home. That she was also populist is beside the point; that she damaged democracy and democratic institutions more than any other Indian prime minister is more relevant to the debate. This is forgotten by her political and party descendants, who cry foul against the present run of populism.

Similarly, they would also not like to recall that it was under her son, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, that the worst pogrom against a “religious minority,” the Sikhs, was carried out in the very capital of the land.

More recently, UPA-I and UPA-II was also marked by a host of populist polices and measures. Such a reminder is not meant to deflect from the issue at hand. Indeed, to justify a present wrong by a reminder of past wrongs is not only against good sense, but also against rajdharma.

Right populism is not necessarily “better” than left populism. Both can be either good or bad, depending on what they really stand for. Appealing to the masses against the classes is an old political trick. But pitting any section of society against another does not quite comply with rajdharma. If one must look for a slogan that is in keeping with dharmic nationalism, it would be "sab kasaath, sab ka vikaas". This must be pursued earnestly by the present dispensation, not merely as a populist slogan.

Ideology

In this regard it is perhaps more important to be wary of the excessive promotion or personality cult of any leader, including our prime minister. The larger than life presence of Narendra Modi on every calendar, poster, or public platform is not necessarily a good thing. It is also not in keeping with a political culture wherein ideology (vichardhara) is more important than the individual (vyakti). Thus the question is not whether Modi has displaced the Mahatma on the Khadi calendar but whether there might have been a better way to make both its brand ambassadors.

When it comes to populism, we cannot forget that, to some extent, it is the very essence of democracy. No democracy can be entirely free of populism. The danger to democracy is not from populism as much as demagoguery. It is when populism degenerates to downright deceit that we must be really worried.

As long as government governs well, discharging its duties sincerely, some populism on its part may be overlooked. Winning elections, securing one’s power is in the very essence of politics; it is only when the will to power overruns and destroys all dharma and decency that democracy is doomed.

Thankfully, we are very far from that today. Our democracy is alive, well – and rocking.

So, happy Republic Day India!

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)

Also read: Khadi, Modi, Gandhi - which is the real brand?