Why Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification May Be a Turning Point Christophe Jaffrelot https://thewire.in/politics/why-rahul-gandhis-disqualification-may-be-a-turning-point
A new sequence in Indian politics has just started. When institutions of the Republic are captured by the ruling party the way they are in India today, the opposition is forced to find alternative ways and means. Rahul Gandhi first invested himself in Parliament, then embarked on a Bharat Jodo Yatra to forge a deeper connect with the people. He had to be neutralised by the ruling regime.
1. India, therefore, is weakening its claim of being the “mother of democracy” and the “Guru of the word” 2. radical moves like this one foster the unity of the opposition. 3. the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi (and his possible imprisonment) may be counterproductive for the country’s rulers. .. it may result in the shift of the victimisation repertoire from one side of the political spectrum to the other...,
But the ball is in the court of the opposition, of the judiciary – and in the court of Rahul himself! I do not expect any reaction from the West whose priorities are not articulated in terms of democratic values anymore and whose presence in the debate may be counterproductive anyway: