Free Speech from the Silicon Valley

April 30, 2021

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Judgmental Proclivity

April 25, 2021

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Classic Authoritarianism

April 24, 2021

Classic Authoritarianism

Padmini Arhant

How to recognize authoritarianism in the twenty first century?

First and foremost citizens need to determine the significance to constitution – the corner stone in any democracy protecting citizens of the entire nation across the spectrum defining individual rights, liberty, security and sovereignty.

The concept of republic defended and enshrined in the nation’s constitution is instrumental to distinguish between democracy and autocracy.

The political leadership as the head of the state, the government and opposition representing the nation at large understanding of constitutional rights, honoring constitutional oath to serve the nation and the people barring pride and prejudice reflected in a functional democracy.

The democratic system would uphold constitutional rule of law. Whereas the authoritarian governance would slight and reject constitution as inconvenient implementing rules and legislations in pursuit of personal and political ideology.

The authoritarian government would further promote ideology premised on fundamentalism, feudalism and any other undemocratic principles in the capacity as fiduciary in personal, political and vested interests.

In doing so, the people’s republic protected by constitution is transformed into vassal statehood. The surrender of sovereignty facilitates dominion republic enabling internal and external forces’ dominance over people’s republic.

Next the ruling power’s style of governance deserve attention.

Style of governance would begin with level of transparency such as public access to information on all matter concerning citizens and national affairs including international relations.

Then the role of press and communication media. Whether they are able to exercise the freedom of press as expected in any functioning democracy abandoning bias and acquiescence or they serve as the state broadcasting networks evolved into government channels with disinformation and propaganda.

The political leadership and government tolerance to free speech sharing genuine views and concerns on issues related to economy, health, education, environment and social inequality is litmus test on democracy.

Importantly, the head of the state as Prime Minister or President meeting the real press once a week is a requirement unlike crony groveling media appeasement making a mockery of journalism.

The PM or President press meet taking direct questions from them again not scripted and pre-approved with answers from administration team.

Instead extemporaneous i.e. impromptu is critical to assess the head of the state’s acumen and grasp on all issues relevant to citizens and the country.

The press conference allowing constructive objective critique on administration and political party’s policies, actions, decisions or the lack thereof would exemplify respect for democracy.

Similarly public interaction with the head of the state responding to citizens’ grievances and struggles in public forum that could be conducted in virtual format in the pandemic situation. Again spontaneous not pre-arranged questions and response.

The political opposition are crucial and depends on the members seated as opposition quite often in quid pro quo between the ruling and so-called opposition grand standing public in people’s house – the Parliament or Congress assembly.

The opposition not necessarily opposing anything and everything from the other side. At the same time the opposition are not meant to kowtowing falling in line with the ruling power in self and vested interests against citizens and the nation they are elected under oath to serve the nation and the people in entirety – the ones who voted for and against them setting aside pride and prejudice. 

The basic evidence on authoritarianism lies with election. The election process involving open transparent vetting of incumbent and new contender having them address scandals, controversies and issues about their candidacy and public record on their political career would be a natural setting in a real democracy.

The election free from myriad election irregularities, illegal campaign financing, domestic and foreign funding, black money infusion and money laundering…to list few among many election violations. The fair election would comply with election rules applicable to all contestants not excluding the ruling power or the major political factions in the race. The known violators of election are presumptuous nominees and candidacies guaranteed victory ignoring electoral outcome.

The authoritarian characteristics typically ban free speech and target truthful, factual and irrefutable analyses and perspectives on government and political leadership’s policy and decisions having adverse impact on people and society.

In a vibrant democracy, the citizens and press would be active and not fearful of raising legitimate queries on any issue without being traced, pursued and punished for exercising constitutional right on freedom of press and expression.

The authoritarian leadership deploy diverse means ranging from character defamation via entertainment such as political party funded movies, documentary and engage in threats and tirades using social media like You Tube, Facebook and Twitter to silence true voices against authority. Here is when tyranny emerge imposing gag order.

In the era where political leadership prioritize showmanship exhibiting false persona is yet another tell tale sign of fascination to stardom over statesmanship.

The staged projection of the leadership petting a leopard cub or filming weekend retreat to Siberia are presented to impress upon gullible mass on leadership prowess and fearlessness. The trend maintained to suppress reality.

In fact for any leadership more than petting a leopard cub or cheetah, the laudable act of bravery would be to persevere and practice democracy facing bold opposition on the side rather than confining political opposition to imprisonment on fabricated charges denying due process. In other parts of the world constitution subverted, election upended to gain or remain in power.

Likewise, the leadership strength is exemplified in democratic engagement with opposition. The democratic leadership would face any candidacy in election in recognition of fundamental rights of all citizens to run for public office including the position of Presidency or Prime Ministership.

The political attributes shine upon leadership ability to deal with challenges and crises accepting responsibility for failures and debacles during governance. Though such character is rare and a tall order, the easier approach finding scapegoat and extraneous factors is authoritarian 2.0 even 5.0 in 5G epoch.

The political leadership dramatic posing in various costumes oscillating from Samrat (Emperor) during political rallies to Sadhu (Hermit) emerging from a cave alluding to self as divine incarnate is delusional depicting desperate megalomaniacal act.

Meanwhile, the leadership miserably missing in action in the domestic and international front in containing pandemic, reversing economic collapse and importantly stymieing enemy invasion and occupation of homeland in the Himalayan region and coast to coast incursion speak volume on failed political performance.

Corruption culture thrives under authoritarianism. The systemic elimination of independent institutions and autonomy is executed abusing extra judicial executive order besides revoking constitutional restraints.

The authoritarian government agenda revolves around them and create stagnant political, economic and social conditions establishing life long appointment in the position of authority. The common tactics also include race baiting, religious discord, caste, class, gender discrimination and any or all divisive measures are considered favorable to extend term in office.

The worst is expecting population to appreciate and acknowledge the system as democratic republic.

These efforts resulting in oppression is indicative of ruling class and political establishment apprehension towards republic uprising and revival of real democracy.

Accordingly, the oligarchy run and funded political leadership and government gamble on resting democracy in coma – permanent sleep and numbness in order to prolong status quo.

Regardless, despotism replacing democracy in any governance geared towards one party system eliminating opposition depriving people representation is classic authoritarianism. 

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter 

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

न घर के न घाट के – अस्तित्व दुविधा  Identity Dilemma

April 22, 2021

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India – Demonetization a Political & Economic Scam

April 20, 2021

The latest information from caring concerned youth in India on China’s incursion in Ladakh, Sikkim and North Eastern region. The dereliction of duty from mainstream media sworn allegiance to political power is replaced by diligent Indian youth with news and events having severe repercussions on the nation at large.

The public information is shared as per the video presenters and channels request to make their voices heard in politics controlled public domain. 

China Declining to Pull Back Military Personnel and Artillery Deployment in the Himalayan Region

 

The real deal behind the controversial and scandalous Rafale deal

The real deal behind the controversial and scandalous Rafale deal. Again the Indian government headed by PM Narendra Modi continue to evade accountability on one of the biggest defense contracts gone awry costing Indian economy a fortune and yet defense procurement far from fulfillment in meeting Indian Air Force (IAF) aviation assets requirement.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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The political authority’s indigestion problem on truthful, factual and irrefutable information concerning them and their governance is confirmation of facts on such matter.

Anyone claiming to be otherwise upon being presented with actual data regarding their egregious decisions and debacles due to their thoughtless and mindless engagement during governance ignoring consequences thereafter would not deploy unemployed youth to launch attacks on social media in self-defense.

Neither there would be threats and tirades for sharing individual perspective on any issues in Almighty God created FREE WORLD. 

The educated skilled youth yet unemployed in India deserve better than being abused by political leadership and factions as attack machinery on social media.

It is rather shameful and disgraceful for anyone especially those touting themselves as popular invincible infallible leader in the so-called world’s largest democracy to hire terror sleeper cells on social media to defend indefensible position.

The real sign of autocracy and authoritarianism is silencing objective review on political actions and decisions affecting millions of lives anywhere and continue to pretend the system as democracy.

Above all, the leadership posing as Saint and Sadhu (Hermit) would not be in the position of power on public funded payroll to begin with, let alone stashing illegal wealth in foreign shores and tax havens.

Last but not the least, anyone lacking courage and integrity to accept responsibility for own actions and wrongdoings in public and private life hardly possess character to assume brethren sins in the world, there and then exposing their fraudulent persona.

Any reference to promiscuity and prostitution for honest views on public affairs is nothing more than self-description of the source and agents wasting life. It further highlight the politics that typically represents and epitomize conduct beneath human decency and civility especially with political leadership and party constantly seeking strange bed fellows to stay in power.

The reasonable mind would do the following:

Surrender public wealth and illicit private accumulation.

Step down from power in recognition of regrettable actions.

Seek atonement for sins to alleviate burden on Soul.

Padmini Arhant 

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India – Demonetization a Political & Economic Scam

Padmini Arhant 

The demonetization invalidating indian rupees INR 500 and 1000 in November 2016 was supposedly meant to target black money and money laundering in Indian economy and society at large.

The unbeknown intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to this effect in November 2016 adversely cost lives with at least 165 citizens committed suicide from trauma and serious financial setback they suffered in the aftermath of political and financial travesty. The remaining victims experienced loss of livelihoods and tremendous economic strife.

Contrarily, the actual black money hoarders and money launderers granted impunity allowing many to flee country to destination of their choice and maintaining direct communication with government and friends on social media sharing selfies and permanent family vacations in world famous resorts.

It is clearly an assault on human intelligence and yet propagated otherwise en masse to rally nation behind PM Narendra Modi’s campaign on demonetization debacle declared successful raid on the poor and poorest in society – the true bearers of government nuclear attack on financial well being and security.

Without a shadow of doubt, PM Narendra Modi‘s action devastated the most vulnerable majority – the daily wage earners, the labor class, street vendors and hawkers, lower income groups viz. the informal economic sector in particular. Besides, the middle class in the formal economic segment also paid a huge price on their part losing amounts held in 500 and 1000 rupees. The overwhelming population in these categories lost their hard earned savings. Their cash got wiped out overnight from the government’s cavalier approach in the so-called black money confiscation.

The demonetization by PM Narendra Modi was acquiescence to international financial dealers and brokers instruction to eliminate large cash economy in India. The move was in preparation for the controversial Great Financial Reset in 2021 in the backdrop of COVID-19 health catastrophe. In keeping with tradition never to let any crisis go waste in politics and economy, the great reset was in gear since then i.e. 2016 to bring emerging economies like India under global agenda.

Meanwhile, the real black money hoarders and money launderers in Indian economy -prominently in politics, economic sector, entertainment industry and others involved in real estate transactions remain unscathed and continue to enhance personal treasure cove in foreign shores. The powerful, rich and famous preserve their wealth in Swiss bank, Singapore Hawala, Panama gate, Seychelles and exotic tax havens. There is no sweat with India’s political class led by PM Narendra Modi and opposition party Chief Sonia Gandhi in ruling and opposition alike leading in illegal money in Swiss Bank and elsewhere.

India – Black Money in SWISS Bank and Tax Havens

Together, the rich, famous and powerful control wealth, influence and authority enabling corruption culture to flourish in a country with majority youth population desperately seeking any employment in the high unemployment dire situation.

Unfortunately, none of these issues are barely the concern for political establishment before, during and now at the peak of pandemic.

The idea of democracy is anybody’s guess with little or no tolerance to individual freedom, free speech and basic rights to life, liberty and fair opportunity.

Where corruption rules, there ineligible, incompetence and impropriety occupy position of power and authority taking the entire nation down in self and vested interests.

The demonetization was a major political and economic scam benefiting the rich, famous and powerful in protecting their illegal wealth and leaving ordinary citizens drowned in irreversible losses and generational debts deemed their destiny.

The irony in demonetization was INR 500 and 1000 banned promoting even larger denomination INR 2000 in circulation and use. Not surprisingly the higher value commonly found among the wealthy and political circle. As a result, money laundering at ease in corruption deals and activities was established despite the maneuver more infectious than any deadly pathogen.

In a society where life begins with bribery in the form of donation to enroll in Kindergarten and continues throughout life like college admission to any employment not barring medical treatment and hospitalization that requires ransom.  For parents of a daughter, it is dowry essentially bribe to the groom and his parents to accept their daughter as cash cow. Thereafter, the custom prolonged until the end of life journey.

In other fields especially in politics money talks in buying votes and elected representatives bought with hard cash to jump fence and quit their political faction. The economy functions in black and white transactions that are normal. The well organized corruption culture thrives crushing the ones at the bottom along with those inept in the art of corruption, stashing wealth by any means and mass deception. 

Welcome to the real world. 

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant 

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com 

 

 

 

PadminiArhant.com