By Victor Edwin
New Delhi, June 20, 2024: The Indian Theological Association (ITA) has applauded the country’s citizens for rejecting the exclusive majoritarian government of the last decade and instead, choosing inclusive coalition politics in the recently held general elections.
The majority of Indian voters have overwhelmingly opposed populism, polarization, and post-truth narratives in today’s politics. These influences go against India’s foundational principle, ‘unity in diversity,’ says the association’s press statement issued on June 8.
Indian voters, the association says, have shown great wisdom in exercising their democratic rights and have set an example for navigating the complexities of the Indian political landscape.
The recent election results demonstrate the rejection of the notion that an absolute majority for a single party in parliament is necessary for national progress as propagated by the ruling party, it adds.
The Indian citizens have witnessed the hardships experienced by the underprivileged, farmers, labourers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs due to unilateral decisions made by the previous administration without engaging in parliamentary discussions.
Dalits, tribal communities, women, minorities, and human rights activists have been adversely affected by undemocratic governance, and the misuse of central agencies against them.
“This resounding rejection of such politics underscores the value Indian voters place on the involvement of regional parties in governing the federal administration,” the theologians point out.
They urged the newly elected lawmakers to respect the will of the people by working towards removing the communal poison that tarnishes the soul of India.
Urgent issues such as unemployment and the distress of farmers must be addressed, they added.
According to the Catholic theologians, the 2024 election has been a litmus test on Indian democracy.
Now, with a strong Opposition emerging from the election results, the theologians hope that the secular democratic values as enshrined in the Indian Constitution will be upheld so that the rights of all the citizens, especially of those on the margins are defended.