Well, I’ve blocked US political stuff, so I didn’t see this. Unbelievably petty. In India, while the country is definitely fascist, it would still be very difficult to mock the court so provocatively – even criticising SC decisions is rare, because the courts are still relatively powerful. Though I think in the US the executive appoints judges. Then it’s not surprising at all.
No liberal measure can really stop a fascist government, though. The judiciary in India is immensely powerful, but still somewhat influenced by local governments. There was a judge who, somewhat infamously, joined the BJP right after his retirement–this has never happened in Indian history. The Weimar Constitution, in theory, was the most democratic constitution with independent institutions and separation of powers. A constitution is only as good as those who interpret it. Even the guy who was the head of the Constituent Assembly famously said that he’d rather burn the document if it failed to protect minorities.
Of course constitution isn’t final, for example if 70% of people one day say they reject the constitution.
Still while constitution is in force and separation of power exists, even government lead by hindutwa fundamentalists with popular support in a country where most if not almost all think religion is super important, can’t dare go against constitution and change it to their liking (it needs 2/3 majority and still most fundamental aspects are immutable). Compare this to the mess the idiot US president is making. To do something similar the Indian government needs to make clever acts, to find loopholes and to abuse detective agencies.
The most dangerous thing going against the constitutional nature is UAPA which is a sedition act and is very much abused.
The Indian government is already doing all the things you listed, mate. They have weakened RTI. found loopholes in the law, weakened the transparency of the Election Commission in various subtle ways, even fixed the Chandigarh mayoral election and won with lots of fake voters with suspiciously thin margins in some places, abused every agency there is from state police to CBI, ED and IT departments for arresting people. They even planted fake evidence to arrest a college professor. They’ve used everything from UAPA, the sedition law to POTA. A constitution only puts off what is inevitable. The writing is on the wall.
I think you should read my comment again. The Weimar Constitution too was well written but that didn’t stop fascism. A piece of paper can only do so much. The opposition couldn’t do shit about the Waqf act from passing, could it? It too violates fundamental rights by forbidding non-Muslims and recent converts from donating land. Constitution can’t do shit. Only puts off what is inevitable.
That act is under Supreme Court of India. If it is found really unconstitutional it will be revoked.
The fact you said that government is using every tooling to express authority means that they’re limited (hence time limited too) by Constitution. Constitution doesn’t prevent inevitable fascism, it can delay it or makes it harder to operate (like cost for media propaganda is still a cost).
PS: If you’re interested in politics of India (recent as well as old) and want to talk about, do dm me. I want to learn.
Well, I’ve blocked US political stuff, so I didn’t see this. Unbelievably petty. In India, while the country is definitely fascist, it would still be very difficult to mock the court so provocatively – even criticising SC decisions is rare, because the courts are still relatively powerful. Though I think in the US the executive appoints judges. Then it’s not surprising at all.
If you read about Indian constitution, this is extremely well designed. So even a fascist government is limited in what it can do.
No liberal measure can really stop a fascist government, though. The judiciary in India is immensely powerful, but still somewhat influenced by local governments. There was a judge who, somewhat infamously, joined the BJP right after his retirement–this has never happened in Indian history. The Weimar Constitution, in theory, was the most democratic constitution with independent institutions and separation of powers. A constitution is only as good as those who interpret it. Even the guy who was the head of the Constituent Assembly famously said that he’d rather burn the document if it failed to protect minorities.
Of course constitution isn’t final, for example if 70% of people one day say they reject the constitution.
Still while constitution is in force and separation of power exists, even government lead by hindutwa fundamentalists with popular support in a country where most if not almost all think religion is super important, can’t dare go against constitution and change it to their liking (it needs 2/3 majority and still most fundamental aspects are immutable). Compare this to the mess the idiot US president is making. To do something similar the Indian government needs to make clever acts, to find loopholes and to abuse detective agencies.
The most dangerous thing going against the constitutional nature is UAPA which is a sedition act and is very much abused.
The Indian government is already doing all the things you listed, mate. They have weakened RTI. found loopholes in the law, weakened the transparency of the Election Commission in various subtle ways, even fixed the Chandigarh mayoral election and won with lots of fake voters with suspiciously thin margins in some places, abused every agency there is from state police to CBI, ED and IT departments for arresting people. They even planted fake evidence to arrest a college professor. They’ve used everything from UAPA, the sedition law to POTA. A constitution only puts off what is inevitable. The writing is on the wall.
I think you should read my comment again. The Weimar Constitution too was well written but that didn’t stop fascism. A piece of paper can only do so much. The opposition couldn’t do shit about the Waqf act from passing, could it? It too violates fundamental rights by forbidding non-Muslims and recent converts from donating land. Constitution can’t do shit. Only puts off what is inevitable.
That act is under Supreme Court of India. If it is found really unconstitutional it will be revoked.
The fact you said that government is using every tooling to express authority means that they’re limited (hence time limited too) by Constitution. Constitution doesn’t prevent inevitable fascism, it can delay it or makes it harder to operate (like cost for media propaganda is still a cost).
PS: If you’re interested in politics of India (recent as well as old) and want to talk about, do dm me. I want to learn.
That was the point. But it won’t delay it for much longer.