Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation's Senior Fellow and O. P. Professor of Jindal Global University Dr. Sri Radha Dutta said, Unity and diversity are the main strength of India. It is also reflected in this election.
She said these things in an exclusive interview given to Barta24.com on mobile phone on Tuesday (June 4) afternoon to assess India's election results. Planning Editor Ashraful Islam spoke.
Barta24.com: This election in India is very important in the global context. How to evaluate this election?
Dr. Radha Dutta: As far as I understand, NDA is definitely getting the majority but not getting the 400 it had campaigned for. As you can see, the results are slightly different in three provinces - Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. That being said, backward class votes are going to India Alliance or Congress, women votes are also going to anti-BJP. And...my personal opinion, talking about the economic growth of our country, but the unemployment rate is still very high. There the youth worked very well as a factor. Especially in Uttar Pradesh, Muslim factor works in one part, backward factor works in another...and youth factor has worked. It cannot be said with absolute certainty that any one factor is at work. But I think...what we were seeing, talking to different people; you have high inflation over there (Bangladesh), these factors have worked against BJP here too. That is why NDA has done well. Anti-temperance worked for three times, so 300 stars. I would definitely say that. But the hype they (BJP) put at 400 won't happen.
Barta24.com: Another big issue that came up for discussion is the religious perspective; India has a historical tradition as a secular state. But in this election, political parties have used religious affiliations to campaign for votes. Is it a reality of political evolution in India?
Dr. Radha Dutta: Many a times we have a discussion in academia too, that in the last 15 years a particular religion has been given more focus, but it is not India. I didn't grow up in that India; I don't live in that India. I still believe the secular fabric is too big for all of us. A Hindu is greater than him, a Muslim or other religion is greater than him. There is no doubt that this government has worked; our infrastructure has grown, we have had economic transformation, surely they have. They won't get 400 seats, let alone 300, it's clear that the religious factor doesn't work that much for us here. If something works, denying it is a lie. But that percentage is low. We are a Hindu majority country. In that, I believe, we want to bring everyone together. We don't like to overemphasize or look down on anyone here. That is probably becoming clearer by the day.
Barta24.com: This India is Vivekananda’s India, Netaji's India...
Dr. Radha Dutta: Absolutely. BJP has done a lot of work, has many qualities that is different. But perhaps not everyone believes in the 'Hindutva' aspect. If you look at it as such, the fear of the outside country - is India changing or not! What you yourself said, Swami Vivekananda's India, Netaji's India is not the current India? My own opinion is that India will always be what it was. There will be ups and downs in international politics-domestic politics. But my main strength is 'Unity and Diversity' we say it everywhere.. As different as we are in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, we go somewhere else and we get along in one place. See in India segregation does not work in religious ceremonies. Not everything will be absolute in such a big country. Everywhere some people use religion as a tool of division. What is not in America? We have seen what Trump has done. We always try to keep up the fabric of secularism.
Barta24.com: What do you think will be the biggest challenge of the new government?
Dr. Radha Dutta: We have seen many opposition demands not being met in Parliament in the past but this time it will not happen. Now the strength of the opposition will be in the parliament. Everyone should go along. For now, one thing I said is to look at the issue of unemployment. We are now a 3 trillion economy, after a few days it will be a 5 trillion economy - you will see in your country too, the rich have become rich, the poor are getting poorer. The same has happened in our country. Those who are in the middle class should also be seen. Say the Ukraine-Palestine war or the sea lanes have become unsafe; the economy has deteriorated due to these factors. However, the new government needs to pay more attention to how the economy reaches everyone. Youth empowerment has become paramount. You have to think about them.
Barta24.com: What is your assessment of the promises of other parties in this election?
Dr. Radha Dutta: From what I see now, regional parties were becoming very important. But it has set back in Odisha. The regional party that was there for so many years, our Jyoti basu was the Chief Minister for a long time, there was also a setback. It is clear that regional parties have become important. Heavyweights have been defeated in many places. In some places, people want change. Regional party in Maharashtra has done very well, no one thought. The role of regional parties is increasing. Earlier we used to see that national parties have a lot of influence, but in this election we see a good place for regional parties.
Barta24.com: The tendency of politicians to get involved in corruption is increasing. How much contrast does it present with the past in Indian politics?
Dr. Radha Dutta: There is this problem. The reverse example is that the one who lost in Odisha did not lose because of corruption. And in many places those who are accused of corruption, they came out in the elections. There are two types of these instances. It's not always the same thing that works. They had to leave because there was no clear image, transparent government in Orissa - many say - no development. Look again, big projects are happening in Gujarat, corruption is there, it has emerged. In some places it has to go backwards, and in some places it has moved forward.
Barta24.com: This trend is also casting a shadow among the people...
Dr. Radha Dutta: People are watching. Debates about corruption are going on. Everyone is bored, no one wants this stuff. Nothing can be done on individual labels.
Barta24.com: There are also allegations of attempts to suppress Kejriwal or many other politicians. How much intervention of the ruling party is working there?
Dr. Radha Dutta: You see some examples, what was done to the Chief Minister of Delhi... All parties have tried when central heavy. By ED or by agency. Again when people vote them out..see Jammu and Kashmir. His son, who is in jail in Kashmir, campaigned and won. That means people can understand that he is kept inside for no reason, which has no logic. If we don't understand people's way of thinking or understanding properly then it is a problem. There are many who did not get ticket for corruption, people did not support - there are also. Voters have their own way of thinking.