The time has perhaps come for the Modi government to learn one important lesson from the recent agitation. In its anxiety to appear accommodative and democratic, it has blinked once too often before unreasonable demands. The consequence is there for everyone to see. Every concession has only emboldened those threatening more street protests, more disruption and more ultimatums.
Democracy cannot function if governments are expected to negotiate with every threat of renewed agitation.
The fresh warning by the social media-floated Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that it would revive its protests unless Parliament debates alleged police excesses and all criminal cases are withdrawn is not merely unreasonable. It amounts to nothing short of attempting to hold the nation to ransom. In a constitutional democracy, neither governments nor Parliament can be dictated to by pressure groups operating under the threat of disruption.
The Supreme Court has already issued its directions in the matter. Those directions deserve the highest respect from all concerned. Equally, no assurance given before the Court can be interpreted to mean that every demand raised by the protesters automatically acquires constitutional sanctity. Governments are duty-bound to act within the four corners of the law and not under political or street pressure. In this context, it may be worth noting that even the Delhi High Court has rejected the CJP’s plea to direct the government to grant permission for a march to Parliament.
There is another disturbing trend that deserves immediate attention. The moment law enforcement agencies discharge their constitutional responsibilities, they are readily branded as oppressors. Policemen become villains. Security personnel become accused. Intelligence agencies become incompetent. Unfortunately, this has become the new normal in Bharat’s political discourse.
Can any nation afford such dangerous demonisation of its own security forces?
Let there be absolutely no misunderstanding. If any police officer or member of the security establishment has indulged in excesses, he or she must be brought to book without fear or favour. The rule of law applies equally to those in uniform. But accusations cannot become convictions merely because they are repeatedly amplified through social media campaigns and television debates.
Evidence must precede allegations. Due process must precede punishment.
The same standards must equally apply to the protesters. What about allegations relating to violence during the agitation? What about reports carried by sections of the electronic media regarding the presence of foreign nationals or foreign students allegedly participating in protests concerning Bharat’s domestic policies? What about allegations of vested interests opposing educational reforms allegedly attempting to influence the movement? What about viral videos claiming financial interests were adversely affected by the reforms? These allegations too cannot be selectively ignored merely because they are politically inconvenient.
If police excesses deserve investigation, so do allegations against those organising or participating in the protests. Constitutional morality cannot become a one-way street.
Most importantly, the Modi government must realise that repeatedly blinking before such demands comes at a heavy cost. It demoralises the very men and women who stand between constitutional order and chaos. Imagine a young police officer deployed for 18 hours in difficult circumstances knowing fully well that irrespective of what he does, he will be presumed guilty even before an inquiry commences. Imagine the message sent to thousands of security personnel when governments appear more eager to appease agitators than defend those discharging their lawful duties.
No security force in the world can function effectively under such circumstances.
There are larger lessons to be learnt as well. Protests are constitutional rights. They are not constitutional licences to intimidate governments or paralyse democratic institutions. Jantar Mantar and areas in the vicinity of Parliament cannot become perpetual theatres of political blackmail. National security considerations must always take precedence over political expediency. Intelligence failures, if any, must be identified and corrected with utmost seriousness.
The Modi government must now resist the temptation of political appeasement. Parliament must first discharge its constitutional responsibility by debating and passing legislation that affects millions of students and citizens. India’s legislative agenda cannot be subordinated to the convenience of pressure groups.
The government’s firmness should not be mistaken for intolerance. Upholding the rule of law is neither authoritarianism nor obstinacy—it is constitutional responsibility.
The message must therefore be loud and clear. Those alleging excesses must produce credible evidence. Those found guilty—whether protesters or policemen—must face the consequences of law. But the nation cannot afford a dangerous precedent where every organised agitation extracts concessions through ultimatums.
The Modi government has blinked enough. It must do so no more.
For when governments repeatedly surrender to unreasonable demands, it is not merely political authority that suffers—it is the morale of the nation’s security forces and, ultimately, the majesty of the Constitution itself.
