BJP must deal with these problems as it is set to begin its second term

By Shikhar

Lucknow: Democracy is a system of government where the power rests in the hands of people and majority prevails over minority in terms of voting while selecting a government. In India the elections are held after every 5 year. The largest democracy of the world India has been questioned over various issues like freedom of press, freedom of speech and expression, safety of institutions, accountability of government to the public and good governance from time to time.

Rising concern over agriculture and the problems of farmers cannot be ignored and government should answer now as it comes to power for another five year term. Other issues concerning people are the life of soldiers being sacrificed on the border, freedom of press and tax evasion.

If we talk about the freedom of press, the very first question begins in mind is the press really free?

The fundamental rights of freedom of press guaranteed under the Indian constitution is not being genuinely exercised by the press. No press is free to ask question nor criticize the government. If any press raises any concern then the party spokesperson deny to go on that particular channel and causing loss to that particular channel.

In my opinion the democracy is only in name, the inside part is that fundamental right is not being freely exercised by the citizens also. No citizen could dare to ask any question to the government in the past 5 year of NDA government, owing to the fear of being boycotted. Institutions like RBI, CBI and election commission are under the scanner and its credibility is on the stake.

Election Commission was accused of favoring the Bharatiya Janata Party during the entire election process. Other issues like safety of women and employment and population control, environment etc are big issues. If the safety of women is concerned, the previous government had been controversial in two issues one Kuldeep Sengar of Unnao the BJP MLA and one in Kathua during the BJP PDP alliance government in January 2018. No strict measures were initiated by the government leaving a sour message.

Employment and population control are the burning issues. India's population is 132 crore approximately as per the new census and the problem of unemployment is on its peak and draws immediate alarming attention. 55 lakh jobs were lost owing to demonetization and the government failure to create jobs.

Farmers suicide figures have doubled under BJP led regime source MUMBAI MIRROR. In Maharashtra 2015-2018, a total of 11,995 farmers killed themselves, while the figure in 2011-14 was 6,268.

During July 2017 farmers agitation in 5 states MP, CHHATTISGARH, RAJASTHAN, HARYANA and MAHARASHTRA for loan waver and minimum support price issue was not being met out.

Soldiers who sacrificed their lives,according to that data from the south Asia terrorism portal has risen to 106% in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2018, a total of 457 security personnel killed in terror attacks compared to 354 in 2017, 249 in 2016, 150 in 2015 and 170 in 2014. In 2019, 44 CRPF jawans were killed in pulwama.

Coming government should focus briefly on environment because citizens can only survive when the clean environment air land and water etc.are clean. In recent past 15/20 most polluted cities in the world are in India and Gurugram remained No.1.

Healthcare and education will be new and utmost concern for the new government which lacked completely under previous regime.

Cow vigilantism needs to be taken care properly since this has led to communal violence culminating into mob lynching, that's a stigma on democracy, this needs to be taken care by the government concern.

Lastly, accountability of government should be maintained by the leaders in power, since in democracy the people selects the government and it depends on the report card of the government to carry on or change after 5 year of stipulated period .

(Author is a senior Advocate in Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench and these views are his personal.)