Democracy 2024 Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon
Democracy 2024
The largest democracy in the world
was graded an ‘Electoral Autocracy'
by an agency, five years back,
is now downgraded further.
Now it is named, "One of
The Worst Autocratisers".
It has lost its credibility in
freedom of expression
clean elections and freedom
of association/ civil society;
the government is alleged of
suppressing religion rights
intimidating political opponents and
people protesting its policies,
silencing dissent in academia.
It is marked by enduring crackdown on
minority rights and civil society;
the state is now down to the levels of 1975,
when a state of emergency was declared.
I am reminded that in 1933
in Germany, Hitler rose to power too
through a ‘democratic process'
under the prevalent constitution.
And we also remember
the consequences
The "Notes" are purloined from the study materials carried on the website of ‘Byju's'
The statements made in the poem, but for the last six lines, are from a report carried in The Hindu, a National Daily in English in India
Comments made by my poet's friends here have disappeared. Similarly a few post-publication notes shared by me as comments also have disappeared. Can ph help me?
They all play mind games and think they are smart and have learned the art of survival but......? Good poem.
3) "intimidating political opponents and people protesting its policies": journalist Siddique Kappan who was booked by the UP government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) released from jail after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court
" intimidating political opponents and people protesting its policies": Fr. Stan Swamy was arrested and murdered in jail for speaking against the government. Prof Sai Baba was jailed for many years (just released by High Court) for the same reason
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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8/28/2026 7:01:57 PM # rel_20260827T145718Z_a0f1bd3
‘ intimidating political opponents and people protesting its policies': attempts were made to use courts to cancel Membership of many opposition MPs in Parliament. Supreme Court had to intervene