Every election season is like a crescendo of voices in the symphony of democracy, reflecting the hopes and worries of the people. However, underlying this melodious exterior is frequently a discordant undercurrent—the conflict between sincere portrayal and calculated deception.

1The upcoming elections are spotlighting several significant issues that resonate with voters across different states:

Unemployment: Despite India’s growing youth population, many young people struggle to find jobs in a market that favors highly skilled labor. At the end of 2023, the unemployment rate for those aged 20-24 was a staggering 44.9 percent, while the overall rate was 8.7 percent.

The Economy: The economic situation is a major concern, especially in agrarian states like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Farmers, who make up over 40 percent of the population, are burdened by rising debt and stagnant incomes. They are demanding price floors to guarantee profits from government crop purchases. While India’s GDP grew by 8 percent in 2023, critics argue that this growth doesn’t reflect improvements in key development areas such as life expectancy, income, and education. Declining private and government spending, high unemployment, and inflation are also red flags.

Welfare Programs: The BJP government has introduced what some economists call “new welfarism,” shifting from traditional public goods to subsidizing essential private goods like electricity, housing, bank accounts, and cooking gas, along with cash payments. The creation of a digital public infrastructure system has enabled direct cash transfers to citizens, bypassing intermediaries. The future of these welfare programs is a critical issue for voters.
As the election nears, these issues will play a pivotal role in shaping voter decisions, reflecting the diverse concerns and aspirations of the Indian populace.
2Maria Alam Khan, the niece of seasoned Congressman Salman Khurshid, spoke at a recent political rally in Farrukhabad, sparking the age-old question of whether vote manipulation is a true representation of the nation’s pulse or just a scheming political tactic.
The passionate plea for strategic Muslim voting by Maria Alam Khan and the ensuing social boycott by BJP supporters underscores the complex ballet of power and persuasion that takes place in the Indian electoral arena. Her remarks, spoken in the heated environment of an election campaign, highlight the precarious balancing act between political hyperbole and social sensibilities. The fact that senior representatives of the Congress and Samajwadi Party are present at the gathering lends credibility to Maria Alam’s statements, turning them from hyperbole into a possible electoral tactic. But the BJP’s quick retaliation, accusing the opposition of divisive politics, exposes how divisive these strategies are.
In addition to adding fuel to the fire, 3Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the Congress’s purported appeasement of Muslims places the conversation within the larger context of identity politics and religious divisiveness. Another arena of conflict emerges when the phrase “Vote Jihad” is used to represent the ideological conflict between Hindutva and secularism.
The integrity of the electoral process itself comes under further scrutiny as the election goes on. The disputed video that is said to show several votes for a BJP candidate is an example of the allegations of election fraud and manipulation that cast doubt on the integrity of democratic norms. In the meantime, Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda and the BJP’s campaign promises are scrutinized in the furnace of public opinion. The inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya represents the meeting point of politics and religion, as Modi is banking on the powerful emotional appeal of Hindu nationalism to win an election.
Nevertheless, the electorate holds the key to democracy amid the din of political hyperbole and election
drama. The shlok,
निर्णय समझदार का, यही है लोकतंत्र का नीति।

चुिाव में वोट देकर, बदलें राष्ट्र की मिट्टी।।
encapsulates the crux of democratic ethos – the responsibility of informed decision-making and the power of collective choice to shape the nation’s destiny.
But participation is what makes democracy strong. Voting is a commitment to our mother country, not just a privilege or duty. It is necessary to take into account policies that emphasize the value of voting in order to guarantee that every citizen participates actively in this democratic process. One such action may be to impose specific limitations on individuals who do not cast a ballot for any reason.
Government subsidies and aid should not be given to anyone who do not exercise their right to vote, and they should not be permitted to use any government facilities. As a preventative measure, this action highlights how important voting is to the wellbeing of our democracy.

4The orchestra in this symphony of power and politics needs to beat in time with the nation’s pulse, bringing disparate voices together to create a cadence of wealth and advancement. Then and only then will democracy genuinely blossom, rising above the din of partisanship to create a harmonious combination of inclusive governance and fair representation. We can make sure that the democratic process is resilient and accurately reflects the will of the people by cultivating a culture in which every
vote is cast with intention and every person feels the weight of their political authority.

1 Miller, Manjari Chatterjee. “India’s 2024 General Election: What to Know.” Council on Foreign Relations, April 2, 2024.
2 Business Today. “The ‘Vote Jihad’ Controversy Sparks Fly in Election Campaigns,” May 1, 2024.

3 Pathi, Krutika. “Lok Sabha elections 2024: Indian PM Modi accused of hate speech | AP News.” AP News, April 23, 2024.

4 Gazetteterrymurphy, and Gazetteterrymurphy. “Dark concerns over upcoming vote in world’s largest democracy.” Harvard Gazette, March 12, 2024