There is something deeply ironic about the way political dissent is increasingly being labelled in this country.
First, those who questioned the government were called anti national. Then came foreign funded, misguided and anti government. Now we have a new expression: “Dimagi Naxal”, apparently meaning someone whose thoughts resemble those of a Naxal.
And this is not limited to the BJP or its leaders. Some of its supporters have also begun calling people who question the government anti country, anti Hindu or anti national.
So I have a simple question.
If the BJP is in power, how exactly is a citizen expected to express disagreement?
Should one join the BJP first and then question only the Opposition?
Should one express disagreement only in states where the BJP is not in power?
Or should one simply accept what the government does, agree with it and remain silent?
The Constitution does not ask citizens to agree with their government. Democracy does not require obedience. It requires participation, scrutiny and the freedom to disagree.
So the next time someone wants to call a person who asks questions an anti national, anti Hindu, anti government or “Dimagi Naxal”, perhaps they should also explain one thing.
How exactly should a citizen question the government?
And if the answer is “don’t question it”, then let us at least be honest about what kind of democracy we are asking for?
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