Prime Minister using sarcastic adjectives like “five-star activists” for civil society members : Aam Aadmi Party

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the top judges of the country on Sunday instigating the judiciary against the civil rights activists and organisations was neither surprising nor new to the nation. The address and the views expressed by the Prime Minister are in line with the broader agenda of the BJP government in centre to muzzle the right thinking voices in the country against the increasing radical tendencies under Modi rule.

Prime Minister in his address has sought to ridicule the efforts of social activists who have been instrumental in giving the country a hope against corruption. While BJP came to power saddled on these civil society movements against non-governance and corruption, now the Modi led government fears a similar fate by the hands of people. To avert a UPA like debacle for themselves, Modi is trying to orient different arms of the government against honest and fearless voices of criticism.

With the Prime Minister using sarcastic adjectives like “five-star activists” for civil society members, it gives a clear incentive to officers and people in important positions in the government to be unnaturally tough on NGOs and people who raise their voices against illegal acts of government and corporate biggies. Prime Minister through his jibe has also sought to harness the interests of profiteers and business houses who are faced with people’s movement and criticism across the country.

Aam Aadmi Party hopes that Prime Minister would desist from openly siding with businesses and interest groups and hold the dignity of the high office he holds. We also believe that, as in the past, the judiciary will always stand by the constitution and law while discharging their duties and will not heed to the loaded suggestions from any quarter.

It may be noted that most of the anti-corruption breakthroughs in the ten year rule of Manmohan Singh led UPA  government have been made possible due to vigilance and activism of civil right activists. Now, inspite of the efforts of the BJP led government to shut their voice, the efforts of the civil society shall continue unabated and with much more vigor.

Central government under the leadership of Narendra Modi is trying to create a myth that raising voice against government is akin to talking against Nation. The motives of the government have been contradicted several times even by the judiciary. Any efforts to chalk the voice of the civil society would be opposed by the Aam Aadmi Party in the Parliament and on the streets. A vibrant democracy is impossible without due respect to constitution and the different section of the society including the civil rights activists.