Promise & Unfinished Business

MC

India’s founding vision was built on principles that continue to resonate: freedom, liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity. These are not abstract ideals. They are a call to action, a guide for constructing a society where individuals, regardless of their caste, religion, or creed, could claim equal dignity and opportunity.

India was to be a place where institutions would protect human rights, a strong judiciary would uphold the rule of law, and a free and robust press would expose abuses of power. Yet today, it seems those ideals, the foundation of India’s democratic structure, are under siege.

One of the most significant promises of the Indian independence movement was the establishment of a society where everyone, irrespective of their background, could enjoy equal rights.

In the early years of independence, India made strides toward this vision. The Indian Constitution, one of the most remarkable documents of its time, enshrined rights for minorities, established affirmative action for the oppressed, and declared that the “untouchables” would no longer be seen as inferior but as equals.

Yet the reality has been far more complex. Poverty, a remnant of centuries, remains pervasive. As of 2023, approximately 24 percent of India’s population still lives below the poverty line, a staggering number for a country that is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Most of India’s poor are the “untouchables”.

These economic disparities have not been sufficiently addressed, and the promise of equality for all remains unfinished. The persistence of caste-based discrimination is another sore point. Despite decades of affirmative action and legislative progress, the caste system remains a powerful force in rural and urban India alike.

It shapes access to education, jobs, and political power. It is, in fact, so entrenched that even the most basic rights of Dalits–the historically marginalised community–are often violated. The right to education, healthcare, and a dignified existence are still aspirations, not realities, for millions.

 India was to be a democracy that was accountable to its people, a democracy with institutions that would function without fear or favour, without being unduly influenced by the whims of rulers. India’s institutions were meant to be a check on power, protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that no leader could ever rule without scrutiny.

However, in recent years, people have witnessed a disturbing erosion of these very institutions. India’s judiciary, once revered as an independent bastion of justice, now faces questions about its impartiality and its capacity to stand up to political pressures. The Press, once the backbone of democratic accountability, has been increasingly stifled. Journalists face threats, arrests, and harassment for simply doing their job of exposing corruption or government mismanagement. According to the 2023 Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, India ranked 150th out of 180 countries, a stark decline from its position in the early 2000s.

This is not just a symbolic decline–it represents a real-world collapse in the ability of the press to hold those in power to account. As political leaders increasingly resort to using the media to push their own agendas, the ability of independent journalism to critically evaluate and challenge those in power has been severely diminished.

 Today, India finds itself grappling with an unsettling rise in religious polarisation. Leaders have sought to divide the electorate along religious lines, stoking tensions between communities that have coexisted for centuries. Political rhetoric has increasingly invoked religious symbols and language, turning religion into a tool for political mobilisation rather than a source of moral guidance. The growing influence of religious-based politics poses a threat to the secular vision of the founding fathers and undermines the inclusive democracy they envisioned.

Speaking on India’s 79th Independence Day from New Delhi’s Red Fort Prime Minister Modi didn’t directly address US President Donald Trump’s threats to pile up punishing tariffs on New Delhi to pressure it against purchasing Russian oil while warning Pakistan against any future threats against India. As it was Independence Day speech, he somehow managed to keep his focus on independence and self-reliance. But people are habituated with such empty rhetoric on special occasions from leaders. They issue fresh promise to keep the old ones alive.

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Frontier
Vol 58, No. 11, Sep 7 - 13, 2025