Don’t shoot the messenger
It is in India’s own interest to treat external evaluations of governance seriously
Some Indian hackles will rise following Secretary of State John Kerry’s comments about democracies like India needing to be wary of political polarisation and a more specific criticism of India’s bureaucrats and their expertise in putting up obstacles. Rather than asking what is the locus standi of a foreign dignitary to make such comments, the more sensible response should be to ask whether there is some truth in his statements. It is in India’s own interest to treat such external evaluations seriously. In urging democracies to respect freedom of expression and avoid polarisation, Mr Kerry is only echoing a perception that India’s social divisions — most notably communal and caste — have worsened under the NDA government. The government rightly argues there is no statistical evidence of this fact. In such matters, however, it is the perception that matters. While Hindu fringe groups always tend to become more active when the BJP is in power, what has differentiated the present regime from the last BJP governments has been the prime minister’s studied silence after the communal incidents. Thankfully, the gau rakshak attacks on Dalits have aroused Modi to make the kind of statements that are expected of a national leader.
The US has often protested the government’s regulatory action against NGOs. And here all the political parties are equally guilty: It is a Congress regime that has charged Amnesty International with sedition. While central and state governments take shelter behind the law, the truth is that the Foreign Contribution Regulation and the Sedition Acts are flawed laws that are almost tailor-made to encourage official harassment.
Few can argue that the Centre is committed to trying to remove the bureaucratic hurdles to foreign investment and domestic business. India has risen in most international indices regarding ease of doing business and dropped in most indices that seek to measure corruption. But Mr Kerry’s statements address more fundamental issues regarding the administration of laws and rules in India. Officials have huge discretionary authority, face no punishment when they don’t get things done and resist attempts to bring in outside talent and expertise. External perceptions matter. They should be studied and, if found wanting, should be responded to with fact, figures and a counter narrative. If they are found to be true , then corrective measures should be carried out at home. As in the case of individuals, there is a bleak future for nations who prefer ruinous praise to constructive criticism.