“The run-up to the polls used to be packed with campaigns and debates. It was delightful to watch, as it was a celebration. It used to be full of colour, even when there was literally one-party rule for decades. Now, the run-up to polls comprises anything and everything that is foul. There is hardly anything to celebrate or worth cheering for. I just wish – we somehow as a society – sail through this unpalatable bitterness over the next 12 weeks.”

I recalled this lament by Yashwant Deshmukh, a political analyst and founder-director of C-Voter, just when the Election Commission was announcing the dates of the much-awaited Lok Sabha elections. Deshmukh anticipates, and with some dread, that the election campaign would produce “unpalatable bitterness”. Deshmukh is not counted among those who are known for their anti-government stance. What he is saying is felt by many people in this country, but making it public can earn you the ire of the government supporters who are quite vocal these days. The government, which has the army, police, and everything to defend itself from the people, now has the benefit of this voluntary army of supporters who are also people like us, who immediately get offended by any criticism of the government.

Since Deshmukh is not counted among the anti-government journalists, his words should be given some consideration. Otherwise, just because you are anti-government, anything you say, no matter how factual it is, loses all value. See, for example, the treatment of journalist Ashlin Mathew’s question during the Election Commission’s press conference, on the eve of the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule. She asked the chief election commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, that while he quickly reprimanded or censured opposition leaders for their inappropriate language, he seldom put on notice the leaders of the ruling party for their foul speech. These leaders include the Prime Minister or the Home Minister. The Election Commission hardly questions them for their objectionable language.

Also read: 80% of Anti-Muslim Hate Speech in 2023 Was Delivered in BJP-Ruled States: Report

The Election Commissioner did not even consider this question worthy of being answered. But everyone, including people like Deshmukh, would definitely agree that she was asking a legitimate question.........

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