India and Politics: The Reality Behind the World’s Largest Democracy
“Democracy is not just the right to vote, but the right to live with dignity.”
India — a land we proudly call the world’s largest democracy. A country that dazzles with its diversity, rich heritage, and culture, where ancient wisdom meets modern marvels. It’s the birthplace of Ayurveda, a cradle of discoveries, and a realm where everyone is welcomed with open arms. But today, standing in the midst of political turmoil, all these things feel like stories from a distant past.
It’s not that India has lost its culture, talent, or brilliance; it’s just that these qualities are now overshadowed by a growing trend of power and politics. Politics, a word that once carried the weight of leadership and public service, has morphed into something darker. It’s no longer just about governance — it’s about corruption, bribery, money laundering, and the ruthless exploitation of power.
Let’s not fool ourselves — India has always run on politics. But today, politics in India has become synonymous with everything that is wrong with the system. From a student’s future to a government job, everything is controlled by the invisible strings of political influence.
Look around today, and you’ll find a disturbing reality: those in power, those holding positions of authority, are often the most unqualified. The irony?
The illiterate are running a country full of literate people. It doesn’t matter anymore what degrees you hold or how qualified you are. What matters is which political party you support. This is the key that unlocks all doors.
From earning a degree to landing a decent job, it all boils down to seeking favors from powerful individuals, often in exchange for a suitcase full of money. Those with money speed ahead, while those without get crushed under the weight of this corrupt system.
And then, there’s the issue of justice. It doesn’t matter whether the issue is corruption, a leaked exam paper, a murder, or a rape. In India, everything eventually turns political. The real issue gets buried under the political mudslinging, and justice is seldom served. Welcome to our new, “evolving” democracy.
“When power dictates the rules, justice is the first casualty.”
Political parties are now like competitors in a race, each trying to pull the other down, desperate to reach the top. Minor issues become political weapons, and the actual problems get forgotten in the heat of the battle. Criminals walk free, the rich and powerful manipulate the system, and corrupt leaders roam without fear. Meanwhile, common citizens pay the price — literally. They are busy paying taxes that are five times their monthly income, wondering where all that money is going.
From the outside, India looks like it’s growing — shiny new buildings, smart cities, technological advances, and a booming economy. But peek inside, and you’ll see a different story.
Government schools and colleges are in shambles, forcing parents to turn to expensive private institutions that charge more than an average family’s total income. Unemployment is skyrocketing, and those who are lucky enough to have jobs are drowning under the weight of taxes and inflation.
Still, every year, we cast our votes. We fulfill our democratic duty, hoping for change. But whom do we elect? More often than not, people who lack ethics, principles, or a genuine desire to serve the public. The rich continue to flaunt their wealth, buying degrees, jobs, and businesses. The middle class — the backbone of any country — suffers the most. Neither wealthy enough to have influence nor poor enough to receive help, they are stuck in a cycle of paying taxes that often exceed their yearly income. And the poor? They only get poorer, left to fend for themselves in a system that seems to have no place for them.
This is the reality we face, a vicious cycle that shows no sign of ending. But this is not just the fault of the politicians or the system — it’s our responsibility too.
We need to demand better, to expect more from our leaders, and to hold them accountable. Only then can we hope to see an India where justice prevails over politics, where merit matters more than money, and where the true spirit of democracy shines bright once again.
Until then, we keep voting, we keep hoping, and we keep dreaming of the India we know is still there, waiting beneath the shadows of power and politics.
