New York
Senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has alleged that India’s democratic institutions have been “captured”, claiming that the judiciary and Election Commission can no longer be regarded as completely independent.
Pitroda alleged that investigative agencies were being used against government critics and that political influence had extended to education, civil society and the media. He questioned the independence of the Election Commission and said the degree of political influence over institutions was an important issue.
Pitroda compared the current situation with the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He said he was not aware of the Prime Minister’s Office exerting pressure on constitutional authorities during Singh’s administration. However, he acknowledged that political influence could have existed even then, while arguing that its extent mattered.
He also criticised the appointment of people associated with the RSS as university vice-chancellors, alleging that such appointments interfered with the independence of higher education. Pitroda further claimed that civil society had less space to operate and that critical journalists faced pressure and harassment. He alleged that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate were being used against people who criticised the government.
The Congress leader also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s limited interaction with the press. He argued that regular press conferences and direct communication with citizens were important for a healthy democracy. According to him, democratic governance requires consultation, compromise, communication and consensus rather than a command-and-control approach.
Citing developments in countries including Hungary, China, Russia and the United States, Pitroda said governments across the world were increasingly displaying authoritarian tendencies. His comments reflect the Congress party’s broader criticism of the functioning of democratic institutions under the present government, though the allegations remain political claims and have been contested by supporters of the government.
