Indian politics has historically been influenced by ascriptive factors such as caste, religion, and regional identities. However, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on development politics, focusing on economic growth, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. This shift is evident, but its extent varies across regions, including Bihar.

Understanding Development Politics and Ascriptive Politics

1. Development Politics:
   • Focuses on policies aimed at improving the quality of life, such as better roads, schools, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
   • Promotes voter engagement based on governance performance.
2. Ascriptive Politics:
   • Based on fixed identities like caste, religion, or language.
   • Appeals to community loyalties rather than governance or policy outcomes.

Indian Politics Today: The Shift Toward Development

Evidence of Development Politics

• National-Level Trends:
  • Successive elections have seen political parties emphasize developmental schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and infrastructure projects.
  • The ‘double-engine government’ narrative (state and center working together) highlights developmental promises.
• Technological Outreach:
  • Political campaigns now focus on reaching voters through digital platforms, often highlighting governance achievements over caste-based appeals.

Persistence of Ascriptive Politics

• Caste and Religion in Electoral Campaigns:
  • Many political parties continue to field candidates based on caste calculations.
  • Communal narratives are sometimes used to polarize voters.

Bihar: A Case Study

Bihar provides a unique lens to examine the balance between development and ascriptive politics.

Transition Toward Development Politics

1. Governance Reforms:
   • Post-2005, the Nitish Kumar-led government emphasized infrastructure development, better law and order, and educational initiatives.
   • Projects like the Mukhyamantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and Bicycle Distribution Scheme for Girls reflect a focus on governance.
2. Development Narratives in Elections:
   • In the 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, alliances emphasized job creation, economic growth, and healthcare reforms.
   • Parties like BJP-JD(U) campaigned on infrastructure and welfare achievements.

Persistence of Ascriptive Politics

1. Caste-Based Alliances:
   • Political alliances like Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) were strategically formed based on caste considerations.
   • Voters often align with candidates from their own caste group, especially in rural Bihar.
2. Caste Dynamics in Political Leadership:
   • Despite development narratives, leadership selection and ministerial portfolios often reflect caste balancing.

Illustrations

1. Development Successes:
   • Law and Order: Bihar saw significant improvement in law and order post-2005, which became a key electoral plank.
   • Infrastructure Growth: Road connectivity improved substantially, fostering economic opportunities.
2. Caste Influence:
   • The dominance of communities like Yadavs, Kurmis, and Dalits in specific regions continues to influence candidate selection.
   • Political leaders still appeal to caste loyalties during campaign rallies.

Critical Analysis

• Development as a Growing Focus:
  • There is an undeniable shift toward development politics, driven by voter aspirations for better living standards.
  • Governance successes are increasingly used as political capital.
• Ascriptive Politics Remains Strong:
  • Deep-rooted caste and religious identities remain significant in voter behavior, especially in rural and less developed areas.
  • Political parties often combine development narratives with ascriptive appeals for broader voter reach.

Conclusion

Indian politics is gradually shifting toward development politics, as seen in Bihar’s emphasis on governance reforms and infrastructure growth. However, ascriptive politics continues to play a pivotal role, especially in candidate selection and voter mobilization.

To fully embrace development politics, it is crucial for both political leaders and voters to prioritize governance and performance over identity-based affiliations. The balance between these two paradigms will shape the future of democracy in India.

Role of the Election Commission of India in Conducting Free and Fair Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional authority established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. It is tasked with ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in India for the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President.

Functions of the Election Commission

1. Conduct of Elections:
   • Organizes and supervises elections to ensure they are free from bias or malpractices.
   • Prepares and updates electoral rolls.
2. Model Code of Conduct (MCC):
   • Enforces the MCC to ensure all political parties and candidates maintain decorum during campaigns.
   • Prohibits hate speech, misuse of government machinery, and bribery of voters.
3. Monitoring Election Expenditure:
   • Regulates the spending limits of candidates and parties to ensure a level playing field.
4. Use of Technology:
   • Introduces reforms like Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to enhance transparency.
5. Resolving Disputes:
   • Adjudicates disputes related to recognition of political parties and allocation of election symbols.
6. Voter Awareness:
   • Runs programs like SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) to encourage voter turnout and educate citizens about the voting process.

Challenges Faced by the ECI

1. Political Pressure:
   • Allegations of favoritism or pressure from ruling parties at times challenge the ECI’s credibility.
2. Money and Muscle Power:
   • Use of illegal funds and intimidation tactics by some candidates hinder free elections.
3. Fake News and Social Media:
   • Misinformation campaigns can influence voter behavior, requiring stronger monitoring mechanisms.
4. Implementation of MCC:
   • Ensuring strict compliance with the MCC is challenging, especially when political leaders use covert methods to influence voters.

Role of the Electoral Identity Card

The Electoral Identity Card, issued by the ECI, is a crucial tool for conducting free and fair elections.

Purposes and Benefits:

1. Prevention of Electoral Fraud:
   • Ensures that only eligible voters participate in the election, reducing instances of bogus or multiple voting.
2. Proof of Identity:
   • Acts as an official ID for citizens during voting, making the process more streamlined and secure.
3. Empowering Voters:
   • Gives individuals a tangible acknowledgment of their right to vote, increasing their participation in the democratic process.
4. Facilitating Voter Verification:
   • Eases the process of identifying voters at polling stations, ensuring efficiency.

Illustrations of ECI’s Impact

1. Conducting Peaceful Elections:
   • In states like Jammu and Kashmir, where elections have faced challenges due to insurgency, the ECI has ensured peaceful voting through tight security and robust planning.
2. Curbing Malpractices:
   • During the 2019 general elections, ECI seized over ₹3,000 crores in cash, liquor, and other items meant to influence voters.
3. Voter Participation:
   • Initiatives like SVEEP and easy access to voter ID registration have significantly increased voter turnout in several elections.

Critical Evaluation

• Strengths:
  • The ECI has successfully established itself as a guardian of India’s democracy by ensuring largely free and fair elections since its inception.
  • Its technological innovations like EVMs and VVPAT have improved transparency and reduced human error.
• Weaknesses:
  • Allegations of political bias and delays in addressing complaints weaken public trust in the institution.
  • Loopholes in campaign finance monitoring and limited enforcement powers over political parties need reform.

Conclusion

The Election Commission of India plays a pivotal role in upholding democracy by conducting free and fair elections. While it has achieved significant milestones, challenges like political pressure and misuse of money power need more robust mechanisms to preserve its credibility.

The Electoral Identity Card, as a cornerstone of this process, empowers voters and enhances the integrity of elections, ensuring that every vote counts and democracy thrives in India.

International terrorism refers to acts of violence or threats of violence carried out by individuals, groups, or states across national borders with the intent to create fear, achieve political objectives, or disrupt international peace and security. Unlike domestic terrorism, it transcends national boundaries in terms of its perpetrators, targets, or effects.

Key Characteristics:

• Targets can include civilians, government institutions, and infrastructure.
• Often seeks media attention to amplify its impact.
• Motivations range from political, ideological, and religious to economic grievances.
• Common examples include the activities of groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and cross-border terrorism in regions like South Asia.

The International Community’s Fight Against Terrorism

Global collaboration is critical to countering international terrorism as it affects multiple nations and requires a unified approach.

Key Strategies:

1. Military Interventions:
   • Nations and coalitions often deploy military forces to combat terrorist groups.
   • Example: NATO’s military operations in Afghanistan aimed at dismantling Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
2. Intelligence Sharing:
   • Collaborative intelligence-sharing mechanisms help detect and prevent attacks.
   • Example: The Five Eyes Alliance (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
3. Financial Countermeasures:
   • Blocking funding for terrorist organizations through stricter financial regulations.
   • Example: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) identifies and sanctions nations that enable terrorism financing.
4. Preventive Measures:
   • Programs to counter radicalization and recruitment, especially online.
   • Example: The European Union’s Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN).
5. Regional Cooperation:
   • Regional organizations like OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and ASEAN work on tailored strategies to address terrorism in their regions.

The Role of the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) plays a pivotal role in coordinating global efforts against terrorism.

Major Contributions:

1. Legal Frameworks:
   • UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2006): A comprehensive approach to address terrorism’s causes, prevent its spread, and ensure respect for human rights.
   • UN Security Council Resolutions:
     • Resolution 1373 (2001): Obligates member states to prevent terrorism financing and support.
     • Resolution 2396 (2017): Focuses on returning foreign terrorist fighters.
2. Capacity Building:
   • Through organizations like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN provides technical assistance to countries for strengthening their legal systems and border controls.
3. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE):
   • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to address conditions that lead to extremism, such as poverty and lack of education.
4. Human Rights Focus:
   • The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ensures that counterterrorism measures respect international human rights norms.
5. UN Agencies and Programs:
   • UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED): Monitors and promotes member states’ implementation of counterterrorism measures.
   • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): Works on aviation security against terrorist threats.

Illustrations of Counterterrorism Efforts

1. Operation Inherent Resolve (2014):
   • A US-led coalition effort to dismantle ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
   • Achieved significant territorial losses for ISIS, although sleeper cells remain active.
2. NATO’s Role:
   • NATO contributes through military missions, intelligence sharing, and training programs in conflict zones.
   • Example: Training Afghan forces to counter the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
3. Global Efforts Against Online Radicalization:
   • Organizations like OSCE work with tech companies to remove extremist content from social media platforms and prevent recruitment.

Conclusion

International terrorism remains a pressing challenge, requiring a coordinated global approach. The international community combats it through military, legal, financial, and preventive measures.

The United Nations, through its frameworks and agencies, plays a central role in addressing this menace by fostering international cooperation, building capacities, and ensuring counterterrorism efforts respect human rights. Continued collaboration among nations and organizations will be key to creating a safer and more secure world.

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a register designed to identify Indian citizens and exclude illegal immigrants. Originally implemented in Assam, the NRC gained national attention when discussions arose about expanding it across India. The Assam NRC, updated in 2019, aimed to address the long-standing issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. However, its execution and potential nationwide implementation have sparked significant debate.

Key Features of the NRC

• Purpose:
  • To identify Indian citizens and detect illegal immigrants.
  • In Assam, it targeted migrants from Bangladesh who entered after March 24, 1971 (as per the Assam Accord of 1985).
• Requirements for Inclusion:
  • Citizens must provide documentary proof of their family’s presence in India before the cutoff date.
• Exclusion in Assam (2019):
  • Out of 3.3 crore applicants, 19 lakh people were excluded from the final NRC list. Many of these individuals claim to have valid documentation, leading to widespread concern.

Political Intentions Behind the NRC

1. Illegal Immigration Concerns:
   • The government justifies the NRC as a necessary step to curb illegal immigration, which is argued to strain resources, impact local demographics, and create security risks.
2. Association with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA):
   • The NRC has been linked to the CAA, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
   • Critics argue this combination could marginalize certain communities, especially Muslims, potentially leading to exclusion and statelessness.
3. Polarization for Electoral Gains:
   • Many see the NRC as a politically motivated move to consolidate vote banks by appealing to concerns about cultural identity and immigration in specific regions, particularly the Northeast and border states.

International Impacts of the NRC

1. Bangladesh Relations:
   • The NRC’s focus on identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has strained ties with Bangladesh, which denies that many of these people are its citizens.
   • Accusations of forced deportation or repatriation could escalate tensions.
2. Human Rights Concerns:
   • International organizations like the UNHCR and Amnesty International have raised concerns about statelessness and human rights violations, especially for those excluded from the NRC.
3. Regional Security:
   • NRC-related unrest could destabilize the Northeast, a sensitive area bordering China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, potentially affecting India’s regional security dynamics.
4. Global Image of India:
   • India’s secular and democratic image has been questioned internationally, with criticism of the NRC and related CAA policies. This has impacted India’s relations with Muslim-majority countries and other global players.

Illustrations

1. Protests Across India:
   • The implementation of the Assam NRC and its proposed nationwide rollout triggered widespread protests in 2019-2020. These protests, often combined with anti-CAA demonstrations, drew international attention and criticism.
2. Detention Centers:
   • Reports of detention centers for those excluded from the NRC list have alarmed rights groups. In Assam, individuals declared “foreigners” have been placed in such facilities.
3. Human Stories:
   • Many individuals excluded from the Assam NRC claim to have valid documents but lack the means or access to challenge their exclusion in tribunals. This raises humanitarian concerns about fairness and inclusivity.

Conclusion

The NRC remains one of India’s most contentious issues, deeply intertwined with political, social, and humanitarian dimensions. While the government argues it is a necessary step to secure borders and resources, critics see it as a politically motivated tool that risks marginalizing vulnerable populations.

The “Two Plus Two Dialogue” refers to a strategic framework where the foreign and defense ministers of two countries meet to discuss and align their perspectives on security, defense, and foreign policy issues. This format enhances collaboration on strategic and security matters while promoting closer bilateral ties.

For India and the USA, this dialogue involves:

• India: External Affairs Minister and Defense Minister.
• USA: Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.

The dialogue is part of the growing strategic partnership between India and the USA.

India-USA “Two Plus Two Dialogue”

The India-USA “Two Plus Two Dialogue” started in September 2018, focusing on strengthening the partnership in areas such as:

1. Defense Cooperation: Enhancing interoperability through joint exercises and defense agreements.
2. Maritime Security: Collaboration in the Indo-Pacific to ensure freedom of navigation.
3. Counterterrorism: Sharing intelligence and resources to counter global terrorism.
4. Technology Sharing: Facilitating technology transfer and collaboration in cutting-edge defense systems.

Key Agreements Signed

• COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement): Enables secure communication between Indian and US forces.
• BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement): Facilitates the sharing of geospatial intelligence.

How Does This Impact India-Iran Relations?

India’s relations with Iran are significant due to energy imports, connectivity projects like the Chabahar Port, and shared interests in regional stability. However, the growing India-USA partnership, especially through mechanisms like the “Two Plus Two Dialogue,” sometimes creates friction in India-Iran relations due to the USA’s policies on Iran.

Key Points of Concern

1. US Sanctions on Iran:
   • The USA’s strict sanctions on Iran have pressured India to reduce oil imports from Iran, affecting the bilateral energy trade.
   • Despite this, India continues to pursue projects like the Chabahar Port, critical for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
2. Balancing Act:
   • India must carefully balance its strategic ties with the USA while maintaining its long-standing relationship with Iran.
   • The “Two Plus Two Dialogue” often addresses such complexities, ensuring that India’s strategic autonomy is respected.
3. Regional Stability:
   • The USA’s stance on Iran influences regional stability. India, through initiatives like the Chabahar Port, contributes to stability and connectivity in the region, balancing its commitments to both nations.

Illustrations of Impact

• Chabahar Port Development:
  • While the USA generally opposes investments in Iran, it has supported India’s Chabahar project, recognizing its strategic importance in Afghanistan. This reflects the fine line India walks between its partnerships with both nations.
• Oil Imports:
  • In 2018-19, India was one of the largest importers of Iranian crude oil. After US sanctions tightened, India had to cut these imports significantly, demonstrating the direct impact of US policies on India-Iran trade.

Conclusion

The “Two Plus Two Dialogue” between India and the USA strengthens their strategic partnership but also brings challenges in managing India’s relations with Iran. India’s approach has been to:

• Emphasize strategic autonomy, ensuring decisions serve its national interests.
• Promote regional stability and connectivity through initiatives like the Chabahar Port.
• Balance its ties with the USA and Iran, ensuring long-term benefits for its energy security and geopolitical interests.