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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Echo of Corruption in Punjab

Punjab’s politics reflects a deeper national malaise, where corruption, sensational rhetoric, and historical analogies overshadow policy, eroding public trust New Delhi: Indian politics has reached a juncture where the highest executive office in the land is increasingly viewed not through the lens of patriotism or policy, but as a target for ridicule. Recent events in Punjab have made this decline even more apparent. The political debate between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief...

Echo of Corruption in Punjab

Punjab’s politics reflects a deeper national malaise, where corruption, sensational rhetoric, and historical analogies overshadow policy, eroding public trust New Delhi: Indian politics has reached a juncture where the highest executive office in the land is increasingly viewed not through the lens of patriotism or policy, but as a target for ridicule. Recent events in Punjab have made this decline even more apparent. The political debate between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved beyond mere allegations, descending into public and controversial jabs, including a comparison of the Prime Minister to Aurangzeb. The BJP retaliated by likening AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to Ahmad Shah Abdali, signaling that political discourse has largely degenerated into invective and historical analogies rather than substantive debate. Recurring Corruption Corruption has long been a recurring theme in Punjab politics. Since the formation of the Bhagwant Mann government in March 2022, several MLAs and ministers have faced allegations. The most notable case involves Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora, whose residences and offices were raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) between May 9-10, 2026, on charges of money laundering, resulting in his arrest. While AAP described this as BJP’s “Operation Lotus” and an act of political vendetta, the BJP framed it as a legitimate anti-corruption measure. It is not just ministers, but several MLAs are under investigation as well. Health Minister Dr. Vijay Singla was dismissed in 2022 after corruption evidence emerged. In 2023, Bathinda Rural MLA Amit Ratan Kotfatta was arrested for allegedly taking a bribe of 500,000 rupees, while Amargarh MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra faces allegations of bank fraud and money laundering. Other MLAs, including Raman Arora and Amarjit Singh Sandhoa, are implicated in corruption and extortion cases. In total, about five to six senior leaders currently face substantial allegations, though official numbers remain limited. Political Climate This political turbulence is not limited to allegations alone. Kejriwal’s comparison of the Prime Minister to Aurangzeb, a figure often seen as antagonistic to Indian culture, and BJP’s counter with Ahmad Shah Abdali demonstrates a slow erosion of restraint and maturity in Indian political culture, which is descending into low-level, sensationalist discourse. Sometimes, it feels as if the world’s deep state has deeply entrenched itself in Indian politics. It may recall that three or four years ago, a person based in the United States openly claimed that billions of dollars were being spent to influence a change of power in India. The judicial delays in handling corruption cases further aggravate the situation. Many politicians face allegations for years, with investigations and court proceedings dragging on, spreading public frustration and disillusionment. Prolonged delays, coupled with accusations of the misuse of agencies for political ends, such as the controversial case of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who was allegedly wrongfully implicated in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, raise serious questions about the foundations of democracy. In Punjab, this problem has become particularly acute. The ongoing rhetoric between AAP and BJP has heated the state’s political climate. On May 10, 2026, AAP organized protests across Punjab and burned effigies of BJP leaders. BJP responded by dismissing these actions as a “victim card” and fear-driven reactions. In this environment, it becomes difficult for the public to discern whether anti-corruption measures are genuine or politically motivated retaliations. The use of historical figures such as Aurangzeb and Abdali in contemporary political rhetoric signals a shift in focus from policy and governance to personal and political vendettas. Kejriwal’s comparison of Prime Minister Modi to Aurangzeb, claiming that the current government, like Aurangzeb, is oppressing Punjabis and encroaching upon their rights and resources, prompted the BJP’s counter, equating Kejriwal with Ahmad Shah Abdali. This exchange intensified the political rhetoric even further. The political climate in Punjab, and at the national level, illustrates that institutional strength alone is insufficient for a healthy democracy. Political ethics, transparency, and respect for public expectations have become imperative. Only leaders genuinely committed to serving public interests can maintain trust in society; otherwise, the democratic potential risks being trapped in a rhetorical quagmire filled with Aurangzeb and Abdali analogies.

The question – Is woman a human?

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Happy Independence Day…

But the question is, Who is Independent?

The question – Is woman a human?

Is it the woman who clutches at her pepper spray and keys when walking back home?

Or is the woman who covers every inch of her body even in boiling heat when going to work?

Alas, they always have excuses don’t they?

“She was asking for it” she was an 83-year-old woman.

“She shouldn’t be out late at night” she was killed in broad daylight

“Her character must be the problem” she was a nun

“She must be out alone” she was with a male friend

“Her clothes must’ve been skimpy” she was in her hospital uniform

But they never run out of excuses…

They say we are a free and democratic country, our people have a voice, but when these people talk, their internet is shut down, they are hit…

We are a democratic country, but where is her justice? Why do her killers roam free? Why is the evidence tampered with? Why is she killed if she raises her voice?

We are a free country, but where is she safe? “At home” he barged in her house and crushed her face with a rock;

“With her parents” her father ruthlessly raped her for 2yrs;

“At work” 10 men ruthlessly raped her during her shift at her hospital;

“Maybe in presence of God”

She was raped during a religious procession.

Why is she never allowed to feel safe and secure? Why is her life at risk in every passing moment of her life?

Oh no! Wait, I forgot the biggest question, Does it matter? She is a woman, but is she human?

Of course not, she is an object of amusement, a victim to blame.

This country prides itself on its rich culture. We worship goddesses and “Mata” that is the Mother is holy in our tradition, but we don’t respect the woman in front of our eyes? We worship idols but we treat a woman in flesh and blood like an object. Our mythology mentions Mahabharata, a war waged because a woman was humiliated; it mentions Lanka Dahan, a kingdom burned to search for an abducted woman; but now we only hold candles in front of pictures of women, who have been victims of monstrosity. So tell me, What culture have we preserved? How true is our worship?

Is this the masculinity we talk about? Is this the “Strength” men pride themselves upon? Or is this just disguised cowardice?

Is this monstrosity in the name of patriarchy, really Power? Or is it just some insecure men trying to feel powerful?

You say, not all men, but what about those that are? They still keep her from leaving her house, they still keep her from raising her voice, what about those men?

But well, this is my democratic country, my blood runs colder as I type every word, fearing what will come next and what will become of me…

So, Happy Independence Day to all those who are free.

But to those who aren’t; well, I’ve nothing more left to say…

(The writer is a student of Saint Xaviars College, Mumbai. The views are personal.)

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