Is Indian Politics Still About People — or Just Power?

In the world’s largest democracy, politics should be about people. But increasingly, Indian politics appears to be driven more by power than public welfare — raising serious questions about the future of democratic values in the country.
Just look around: political defections are rampant, regional leaders are rising and falling overnight, and issues that matter — like jobs, education, and healthcare — are often overshadowed by identity politics and media spectacles.

One doesn’t have to dig deep to see the shift. Instead of discussing unemployment or the rural economy, headlines are dominated by religious polarization, celebrity endorsements, and digital outrage wars. The rise of "soft dictatorship" — where democratic processes exist but are overshadowed by authoritarian tactics — is a concern political thinkers have been whispering about for years.

Where Did We Lose the Plot?​

Many citizens, especially youth, are disengaged from traditional political discourse. They view politics as corrupt, dirty, and disconnected. And they’re not entirely wrong.
Criminals in politics remain a harsh reality. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), over 40% of MPs in India have criminal cases against them.

• Caste-based politics continues to dominate elections, even in urbanized states, raising questions about merit and inclusive representation.
• Dynastic politics hasn’t disappeared either — whether it’s Congress or regional parties, family names still trump merit.

Yet, we the people are complicit. Voter turnout often dips below 60% in urban areas, and public accountability is rarely demanded between elections. The problem isn’t just the system — it’s also our silence.

Can We Reform from Within?​

Despite the gloom, not all is lost. Young politicians, independent candidates, and digital activism are slowly changing the narrative. Movements like RTI, anti-corruption protests, and student-led agitations have shown that political change is still possible — but it’s hard-fought and often silenced.

Still, what India needs is more issue-based politics — debates on climate change, education reform, women’s safety, and economic justice. These are not "boring" topics — they’re the lifeblood of a functioning democracy.

But will our political parties ever move past identity, vote banks, and propaganda?

That’s the debate we need to have — not just on social media, but at the polling booth, in classrooms, and around dinner tables.

 

[Drishti1103]

Politics Can Still Be About People — If We Choose to Participate


This is such a powerful question — and honestly, one many of us have silently asked ourselves. Is Indian politics really about the people anymore, or has it become a game of power grabs, identity wars, and noise without substance?


At first glance, the answer might seem obvious. We see elected representatives switching parties overnight, TV debates turning into shouting matches, and public welfare issues like healthcare, education, and unemployment getting buried under religion, caste, and celebrity drama. The focus has clearly shifted. But maybe the more uncomfortable truth is that while politics seems to have moved away from the people, it’s also because many of us — especially the urban youth — have slowly stepped away from politics.


We often hear that politics is "dirty," and to be fair, there’s evidence to support that. Over 40% of our MPs have criminal cases pending against them. Dynasty politics still flourishes. And merit often takes a backseat to muscle, money, or last names. But the rot in the system isn’t just about who holds the mic — it’s also about who chooses to stay silent.


Low voter turnout in cities, lack of regular civic engagement, and minimal public pressure between elections have created a space where politicians are rarely held accountable unless an election is around the corner. We say politics is broken, but many of us have stopped trying to fix it — or even understand it.


That said, all hope is not lost. There are signs of change — small but significant. We’ve seen what the Right to Information Act did. We’ve seen student protests shift national conversations. We’ve seen digital activism shake up political campaigns. Independent candidates, grassroots movements, and politically aware young voices are stepping into the public space. They’re asking the right questions and refusing to be distracted by noise. It’s not a wave yet — but it’s a spark.


To keep that spark alive, we need to reimagine what political participation looks like. It’s not just voting once every five years. It’s also staying informed, holding representatives accountable, questioning propaganda, and choosing not to disengage when things feel hopeless. We have to move from being passive observers to active participants.


Indian politics doesn't have to be reduced to power plays and vote banks. But to make it about people again, people need to show up. We need more conversations around policy, budget priorities, climate action, women’s safety, and economic justice — not just hashtags and headlines.


The truth is, power will always be at the heart of politics. But whether that power is used for progress or control — that still depends on us. Our silence fuels the system just as much as our voice can change it.


So no, it’s not over. Politics can still be about the people — if we choose to reclaim it.

 

[Gayatri Dutta]

In the world’s largest democracy, politics should be about people. But increasingly, Indian politics appears to be driven more by power than public welfare — raising serious questions about the future of democratic values in the country.
Just look around: political defections are rampant, regional leaders are rising and falling overnight, and issues that matter — like jobs, education, and healthcare — are often overshadowed by identity politics and media spectacles.

One doesn’t have to dig deep to see the shift. Instead of discussing unemployment or the rural economy, headlines are dominated by religious polarization, celebrity endorsements, and digital outrage wars. The rise of "soft dictatorship" — where democratic processes exist but are overshadowed by authoritarian tactics — is a concern political thinkers have been whispering about for years.

Where Did We Lose the Plot?​

Many citizens, especially youth, are disengaged from traditional political discourse. They view politics as corrupt, dirty, and disconnected. And they’re not entirely wrong.
Criminals in politics remain a harsh reality. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), over 40% of MPs in India have criminal cases against them.

• Caste-based politics continues to dominate elections, even in urbanized states, raising questions about merit and inclusive representation.
• Dynastic politics hasn’t disappeared either — whether it’s Congress or regional parties, family names still trump merit.

Yet, we the people are complicit. Voter turnout often dips below 60% in urban areas, and public accountability is rarely demanded between elections. The problem isn’t just the system — it’s also our silence.

Can We Reform from Within?​

Despite the gloom, not all is lost. Young politicians, independent candidates, and digital activism are slowly changing the narrative. Movements like RTI, anti-corruption protests, and student-led agitations have shown that political change is still possible — but it’s hard-fought and often silenced.

Still, what India needs is more issue-based politics — debates on climate change, education reform, women’s safety, and economic justice. These are not "boring" topics — they’re the lifeblood of a functioning democracy.

But will our political parties ever move past identity, vote banks, and propaganda?

That’s the debate we need to have — not just on social media, but at the polling booth, in classrooms, and around dinner tables.

In the world’s largest democracy, politics should reflect the will and welfare of the people. Yet, Indian politics today seems more driven by the pursuit of power than by public service. From rampant defections to the dominance of identity politics, core issues like jobs, education, healthcare, and economic justice are often sidelined.

Instead of meaningful debates, media and political discourse are increasingly focused on religious divides, celebrity endorsements, and digital outrage. This has led to concerns about a “soft dictatorship,” where democratic institutions exist but are undermined by authoritarian tendencies.

Many citizens, especially the youth, have become disillusioned. With over 40% of MPs facing criminal charges (ADR data), caste- and dynasty-based politics still prevailing, and voter turnout in urban areas often falling below 60%, the democratic spirit seems to be weakening — and public apathy is part of the problem.

However, change is still possible. Youth activism, independent candidates, and movements like RTI and anti-corruption protests have shown that people-powered reform can work. Issue-based politics — focused on education, climate change, women’s safety, and inclusive growth — is the way forward.

Ultimately, democracy thrives not just in elections but in everyday accountability. India must move beyond vote-bank politics and propaganda toward a system that values merit, dialogue, and public welfare. And for that, we — the citizens — must speak up, participate, and demand
better.