Homogeneity sabotages diversity

# Ajayan

 Finally, the wheels are in motion. 2029 appears designated as the target for the audacious ‘One Nation, One Election’ scheme, as the Union Cabinet has endorsed former President Kovind’s ambitious proposal. According to the Cabinet decision, the Bill underpinning BJP's grandiose vision is poised to be unveiled in Parliament during the forthcoming winter session. This move, cloaked in the veneer of unity and efficiency, threatens to negate the rich tapestry of democratic plurality with its sweeping, homogenizing agenda.

While the BJP camp revels in what it sees as a monumental triumph, people seem blissfully unaware of the ominous prelude to a grand push for homogenization, threatening the nation’s vibrant diversity and federal integrity. It unfolds like a carefully crafted script: the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Education Policy and the Prime Minister’s role as chief patron at the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya (despite the electoral defeat there). Add to this his audacious claim of being "the chosen instrument of God" during the recent Lok Sabha campaign, the questionable rationale for attending a Ganesha puja at the Chief Justice's residence (ignoring the judiciary's revered aloofness) and tantalizing hints of a Unified Civil Code.

The list is as lengthy as it is revealing, a parade of manoeuvres that orchestrates a symphony of uniformity tailored perfectly to the ruling party's desires. Hindutva, the binding force behind this political juggernaut, propels each move, suggesting a deliberate design to reshape the nation in its image, one step at a time.

In her newly released book, A Field Guide to Post-Truth India, writer and science historian Meera Nanda explores "forced standardization", reminiscent of Germany's gleichschaltung under Hitler, where all institutions were aligned with Nazi ideology. Today, one cannot but notice echoes of this unsettling coordination as current moves toward homogenization raise the disturbing prospect of an ethnic democracy, sacrificing diversity for a singular, exclusionary narrative. Drawing from Germany once more, the philosopher Hannah Arendt had warned us that a "unified and homogenous message" is the lifeblood that allows a totalitarian regime to take off.

What is proposed

The nine-member committee, led by former President Kovind, submitted its report in March, advocating for simultaneous elections across the country - spanning the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and even local bodies. The committee painted a grim picture of the current staggered electoral process, arguing that it inflicts a calamitous toll on the nation's economy, disrupts societal cohesion and undermines political stability.

It claimed the new system as a beacon of consistency and stability, (though how exactly remains an enigma). They also billed it as a financial saviour, slashing costs and reducing the diversion of government machinery and manpower. This comes amid a backdrop of frequent elections: between 2019 and 2023, there was one general election and 30 State Assembly elections.

The committee noted that repeatedly enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, thrice in States, could hinder governance. However, it overlooked that this code is not a bureaucratic nuisance but a vital pillar of democracy. There is no evidence that it impedes effective administration; rather, it safeguards fair play and accountability during elections, enhancing governance rather than obstructing it.

The price of democracy

The allure of ‘One Nation, One Election’ - saving time, money and resources - is tempting. Yet, in the world’s largest democracy, the cost of preserving democratic ideals is trivial. Each election, whether local or Assembly, transcends mere procedure; it's a cornerstone of the federal structure. These elections are crucial referendums that hold parties accountable and invigorate democracy. The more often we engage in this democratic ritual, the stronger and more vibrant our democracy becomes, far outweighing any financial considerations. True democracy thrives on the active participation and voice of its people, which each election embodies.

The term of a local body or State Legislature is determined by local and political dynamics, independent of the Lok Sabha's tenure. The Constitution clearly defines the durations for State Assemblies and Parliament, reflecting the unique needs of their constituencies. Attempting to synchronize these terms, as proposed, risks violating constitutional principles and potentially veering into legal violations.

History shows that totalitarian regimes thrive by excluding people from active political participation. In today’s world of internet-fuelled social media, the spread of neatly packaged theories, even if false,  promoting homogeneity is part of a broader agenda. Its true aim is to rob citizens of the space to shape their own values, leaving no room for independent discourse. To push these designs forward, regimes continually need to feed people new justifications, tightening their grip under the guise of national unity, while real democratic engagement quietly fades away.

The fierce drive to make the masses chant in unison only tightens the noose around diversity, leaves plurality gasping for breath and reduces federalism to a mere footnote in history.