Indian Election Special: Social Welfare and Media Freedom

Introduction to the Indian Election

India, the world's largest democracy, conducts its general elections over a six-week period, making it one of the most extensive electoral processes globally. The election involves over 900 million registered voters, a staggering number that underscores the significance and scale of this democratic exercise.

Key Political Parties

Several major political parties compete in the Indian elections, with the most prominent being the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Each party presents its own vision for the country's future, making the elections a critical event for determining India's political and developmental trajectory.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

The BJP, currently the ruling party, has been a dominant force in Indian politics. It emphasizes nationalism, economic development, and social welfare schemes.

Indian National Congress (INC)

The INC, one of the oldest political parties in India, has a rich history and has been instrumental in shaping modern India. It focuses on social justice, inclusive growth, and secularism.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

The AAP, a relatively new entrant, has gained popularity with its anti-corruption stance and focus on governance reforms. It appeals particularly to urban voters and the younger demographic.

Significance of the Election

The Indian general election is not just a political event; it is a pivotal moment that can influence the country's direction on various fronts, including economic policies, social justice, and international relations. The stakes are incredibly high, as the elected government will shape the future of over a billion people.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several social welfare schemes aimed at improving the lives of the underprivileged. This guide will walk you through some of the most impactful initiatives, focusing on housing renovation, subsidy programs, and the distribution of essential commodities.

Renovation of Homes

One of the flagship programs is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which aims to provide affordable housing to the urban poor. Under this scheme, millions of homes have been constructed or renovated, offering a safe and secure living environment for many families. For instance, Kanhaiya, a beneficiary from a small village, shared how the scheme transformed his life by providing a sturdy roof over his head.

Subsidy Programs for the Poor and Women

The BJP government has also rolled out various subsidy programs to support the economically weaker sections of society. The Ujjwala Yojana, for example, provides free LPG connections to women from below the poverty line households. This initiative not only promotes cleaner cooking fuel but also aims to reduce health hazards associated with traditional cooking methods. Mamta Devi, a beneficiary, expressed her gratitude for the scheme, highlighting how it has made cooking easier and healthier for her family.

Distribution of Free Food Rations and Butane Gas Cylinders

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BJP government implemented the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to ensure food security for the poor. Under this scheme, free food rations were distributed to millions of families across the country. Additionally, the government provided free butane gas cylinders to those in need, ensuring that no household would have to compromise on basic necessities during these challenging times.

Personal Stories of Beneficiaries

Real-life stories from beneficiaries like Kanhaiya and Mamta Devi underscore the transformative impact of these social welfare schemes. Kanhaiya's newly renovated home and Mamta Devi's free LPG connection are testaments to the BJP government's commitment to social welfare. These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also instilled a sense of security and well-being among the beneficiaries.

For more information on the broader context of the Indian election, check out our Introduction to the Indian Election section. To understand the digital strides India has made, visit our Digital Payment Revolution in India section. If you're interested in the criticisms and challenges faced by these schemes, head over to our Criticisms and Challenges section. Finally, for a look at media freedom and the role of influencers like Dhruv Rathee, see our Media Freedom and Dhruv Rathee's Role section.

Digital Payment Revolution in India

India has witnessed a significant transformation in its financial ecosystem with the advent of digital payments. This revolution has been largely driven by the nationwide rollout of digital payment services and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.

The UPI Platform

The UPI platform, launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has played a pivotal role in transforming how transactions are conducted across the country. UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application, facilitating seamless and instant fund transfers. This has not only simplified transactions for individuals but also for small vendors and businesses.

Impact on Small Vendors and General Population

The introduction of digital payment services has had a profound impact on small vendors and the general population. Street vendors, small shop owners, and even rickshaw pullers have adopted digital payment methods, enabling them to conduct transactions without the need for cash. This shift has increased their customer base, as more people prefer the convenience of digital payments.

Increase in Bank Accounts and Smartphone Usage

One of the significant outcomes of the digital payment revolution is the increase in the number of bank accounts and the use of smartphones for payments. According to recent statistics, there has been a substantial rise in bank account openings, driven by government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). This scheme aimed to provide every household with access to banking facilities, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Moreover, the widespread availability of affordable smartphones has further accelerated the adoption of digital payments. With more people owning smartphones, the use of mobile applications for financial transactions has become commonplace, contributing to the growth of a cashless economy.

Statistics and Growth

The growth of digital payments in India can be illustrated with some key statistics. For instance, the number of UPI transactions has seen exponential growth, with billions of transactions being recorded monthly. Additionally, the value of these transactions has also surged, reflecting the increasing trust and reliance on digital payment methods.

Conclusion

The digital payment revolution in India has not only transformed the way transactions are conducted but has also played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion and economic growth. By providing a secure, efficient, and convenient mode of payment, digital payment services have empowered individuals and businesses alike, paving the way for a more connected and cashless society.

For more insights on related topics, check out our sections on BJP's Social Welfare Schemes and Criticisms and Challenges.

Criticisms and Challenges

The BJP government has faced significant criticisms and challenges during its tenure. These range from economic issues to social and political concerns, and they have sparked widespread debate across various sectors of Indian society.

Spending Cuts in the Health Sector

One of the major criticisms against the BJP government is the spending cuts in the health sector. These cuts have raised concerns about the government's commitment to public health, especially in a country with a large population and significant healthcare needs. The reduction in funding has led to shortages in medical supplies and personnel, affecting the overall quality of healthcare services.

Rise of Religious Hatred

Another critical issue has been the rise of religious hatred and intolerance. There have been numerous reports of violence and discrimination against minority communities, which critics argue is a result of the government's policies and rhetoric. This has led to a polarized society and increased tensions between different religious groups.

Mass Unemployment

The issue of mass unemployment has also been a significant challenge for the BJP government. Despite promises of job creation and economic growth, many people, especially the youth, continue to struggle with unemployment. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction and has been a major point of contention in political debates.

Attacks on Democracy

Critics have also pointed to what they perceive as attacks on democratic institutions and processes. There have been allegations of legal investigations targeting opposition parties, which some view as an attempt to stifle political dissent. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the independence of the judiciary and the media, with accusations that these institutions are being undermined to serve political interests.

Concerns Raised by the VDM Institute

The VDM Institute has raised serious concerns about the state of democratic freedom in India. According to their reports, there has been a decline in democratic norms and practices, which they attribute to the actions of the current government. These concerns include restrictions on free speech, curbs on civil liberties, and the erosion of checks and balances within the political system.

In conclusion, while the BJP government has implemented several initiatives and policies, it has also faced substantial criticisms and challenges. These issues highlight the complexities and difficulties of governance in a diverse and populous country like India.

Media Freedom and Dhruv Rathee's Role

Dilanul D'Souza: Now, one of the pillars of a strong democracy is a free press. In the past few years, India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted. While many mainstream organizations toe the government line, a handful of independent media outlets remain. YouTube sensation Dhruv Rathee has been using social media to fact-check topics and hold the Indian government to account.

Dhruv Rathee: Hello friends, the electoral bond scam is not only the biggest scam in the country but the biggest scam in the whole world.

Dilanul D'Souza: Dhruv Rathee, thank you very much for joining us here on the program. You have a master's degree in engineering, yet over the past 10 years or so, you've been making these videos which tend to go viral. How did that come about and did you see something lacking in the traditional media?

Dhruv Rathee: Thank you for having me here. When I started out my YouTube channel, it was completely on a different scale and I was focused more on travel vlogging. Over time, I felt passionate about speaking up on educational topics and seeing what is happening in the country. And it was purely out of my own passion for speaking up for the democracy and for the progress of the nation that I started making videos which were more concerned with the development of the country.

Dilanul D'Souza: You connect with the wider audience due to your use of Hindi. Are you surprised at the eyeballs your content manages to get?

Dhruv Rathee: It is quite a bit surprising. I feel like, especially if you take into account that last month, my YouTube account reached around 55 million unique YouTube users. And on Instagram, the reach was over 44 million unique users. So if you take into account, it's almost like 100 million unique people that have been reached. I feel it may be because the traditional media has been completely hijacked by the government, and people really want to know what is happening on the other side and there's no voice coming out on the traditional media and they see me as a replacement for that, I feel like.

Dilanul D'Souza: Now you tackle things like the jailing of Delhi's chief minister, electoral bonds, issues the government may not want you to touch. How important is it for you to get things right?

Dhruv Rathee: It's extremely important. I not only have a big team of researchers, scriptwriters, and fact-checkers. Everything that I say in my video, every argument, every fact is being doubled and triply and it is being analyzed again and again to check for its authenticity, how accurate it is. And after my whole video is done, I even get it checked by a lawyer because you know the pressure is very high. I can't afford to make a mistake because there's almost hundreds of millions of people listening to me.

Dilanul D'Souza: Has the government ever tried to shut you down or silence you?

Dhruv Rathee: Not yet, but there are of course trolls online which really try to, you know, harass you for speaking up. They target you, but fortunately, nothing as much has happened to me yet. But there are other cases where other YouTube journalists have been shut down by the government. There was this recent case, I think one week ago, where a channel called Volta Hindustan was blocked in India and it was quite critical of the government and the government used their IT laws to pressurize YouTube to block the channel in India. So yes, these cases are happening and I fear that in the future, if this government gets a big majority again, these cases will only keep rising.

Dilanul D'Souza: Do you ever feel the need to self-censor?

Dhruv Rathee: I mean, of course, everyone who speaks to such a large audience self-censors to some extent. I cannot freely speak my mind 100% but I do try to, you know, be as open as possible, speak as freely as possible to a certain extent.

Dilanul D'Souza: You are based in Europe. Do you fear for your family in India and do you fear for yourself whenever you do visit the country?

Dhruv Rathee: Whenever I do visit the country, I have only met people who love the work that I do. They are really supportive of the work that I do, and I have never really met any so-called hater in real life. I have no allegiance to any political party, and my loyalty lies to my values, my values which are focused on rationality, liberty, speaking up for the democracy of the country and the progress of the nation.

Dilanul D'Souza: Dhruv, if you check India's traditional media, the main channels, especially in the English-speaking world, it seems that everything in the country is going fine. Do you get that sense too?

Dhruv Rathee: No, it's just because the whole of traditional media has been captured by the government. There used to be critical news channels, but they were slowly bought out, and journalists like Ravish Kumar, Abhisar Sharma, Punya Prasoon Vajpayee, these were prominent journalists who were once on TV channels, but they were forced to resign from their jobs. And now many of the independent journalists are actually forced to be on YouTube.

Dilanul D'Souza: I have a question for you because here in France, in the United States as well, we do have media outlets that have been picked up by billionaires. If we think of the Washington Post in the United States picked up by Jeff Bezos, or here in France we have media outlets picked up by billionaires, but still there is a degree of freedom. Why do you think that doesn't exist in India?

Dhruv Rathee: Because I feel that this doesn't necessarily have to do much with being bought out by billionaires. It's more to do with being pressurized by the government. The government is really trying hard to pressurize different news channels and control what they're talking about. If I may add something, that many of the news channels, most of their revenue comes from government ads. This is how the government tries to control those media channels, by threatening them that they will stop giving government ads to the channel, which is a big threat to the revenue source for a particular news channel, almost every news channel. And this is how they maintain some kind of control.

Dilanul D'Souza: Dhruv Rathee, thank you very much for joining us on the program today. And that's it for this edition of Access Asia from all of us on the team. Thank you very much for watching.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As India navigates through its intricate election process, several key points emerge from the current political landscape. The Indian election is a monumental event involving nearly a billion voters, with the BJP confident of securing a substantial majority. However, the opposition has raised concerns about fairness and transparency, citing instances of frozen campaign funds and the imprisonment of key leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity remains high, largely due to the BJP's social welfare schemes. These initiatives have transformed rural areas and provided essential support to millions of citizens. Subsidy programs have doubled state aid over the past decade, directly benefiting the poor and women, and significantly increasing the number of bank accounts in the country.

The digital payment revolution in India is another significant achievement, with the majority of small transactions now conducted via smartphones. This shift not only symbolizes India's technological advancement but also supports the government's broader vision of a developed nation by 2047.

Despite these successes, there are notable criticisms and challenges. Critics argue that government spending cuts in the health sector, rising religious tensions, and mass unemployment among youth are significant issues. Additionally, there are concerns about the erosion of democratic principles, with increased attacks on opposition leaders and media freedom.

In this context, media freedom remains a contentious issue. Independent voices like Dhruv Rathee play a crucial role in holding the government accountable, despite facing significant challenges and pressures.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the election will have profound implications for India's democracy and development. If the BJP secures a majority, their policies and initiatives will likely continue to shape the country's future. However, the opposition's concerns about fairness and democratic integrity will need to be addressed to ensure a balanced and inclusive political environment. The role of independent media and social influencers will also be critical in maintaining transparency and accountability.

In conclusion, while India has made significant strides in social welfare and digital innovation, it faces ongoing challenges that require careful navigation. The future of India's democracy will depend on the ability to balance development with democratic principles, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.