Opposition by Other Means

Context: Constructive opposition in Democracy  

In the Indian Parliamentary form of Government though the Opposition exists in form but is missing in its functioning.

Silver line: In Democracy opposition is not defined by or restricted to criticism of the government, but for a party member, what line of criticism to adopt determines the quality of democracy. 

What kind of area leader should take? 

• Organise the people to tackle immediate problems: 

• Covid-19 induced crisis (Patients struggle to get admitted to hospitals. Admitted patients struggle to get the treatment they deserve, Issue of Migrant workers acted out their lack of agency), etc. offer multiple sites for democratic intervention and mobilization.

• Finding democratic alternatives: Take on disparate elements of an extensive cultural project to undermine the dominant values, wisdom, and common sense that legitimize the politics of the ruling party.

Suggestion: 

• Lessons from Facebook: The success of the ‘Stop Hate for Profit’ campaign that forced Facebook to alter its policies on moderating hate speech, shows the power of ideas that capture the popular imagination.  
• Democratic culture project – It is not easy to challenge non-democratic culture which is all-pervasive in our mores and values. (E.g. “aankh uthake dekhna” - reinforce the value system of a hierarchical society).  

• Focusing on Sita’s defiance of Ram, in her terminal embrace of Mother Earth, instead of harping on the virtue of wifely obedience would help democratise marital relations
• The poetry of Kabir and the Sufi tradition actively combat religious sectarianism.

Conclusion: Culture, tradition contains much that can empower the subaltern. Culture act as control guides Britain’s Conservatives today. Time India’s democrats gave it a shot.