The Death of Democracy: When Foreign Hands Shape Our Destiny
The recent revelation by U.S. President Donald Trump that USAID allegedly allocated $21 million to influence India’s elections is not just shocking; it is an insult to every Indian who believes in democracy. What is even more disgraceful is the deafening silence of our government. No inquiry, no outrage, no accountability—just the usual political blame game while our democracy lies bleeding.
As a common citizen, I feel betrayed. If foreign powers have indeed been allowed to manipulate our elections, then what is the worth of my vote? What is the meaning of standing in long queues, braving the scorching sun, or heavy rains, just to exercise what we believed was our fundamental right? If elections are being influenced by external forces, then the entire process is a farce, and we are mere pawns in a global chess game played by selfish politicians and foreign interests.
While the government’s inaction is troubling, the real culprits here are those who seemingly welcomed this interference—the opposition, especially the INDI Alliance. Trump’s statement did not merely hint at external meddling; it clearly pointed to an effort to install someone else in power. Who benefits from such manipulation? Who has consistently sought foreign endorsements, engaged with external actors, and played the victim card internationally? The answer is clear: the opposition, which has stopped at nothing to undermine India’s democratic foundations.
The INDI Alliance, in its desperate bid to seize power, has shown no hesitation in colluding with foreign entities. If these allegations hold weight, they are guilty of nothing less than betraying the nation. It is one thing to fight for political change within the constitutional framework; it is another to invite foreign hands to tilt the scales. This is not opposition; this is subversion.
A country that cannot protect the sanctity of its democracy is a country already lost. If we allow this to be brushed under the carpet, we are setting a dangerous precedent—one that says it is acceptable for foreign governments to play with our political system. This is not about political ideology; this is about our right to choose our own leaders without interference.
It is not just an issue of election meddling; it is about the very foundation of our republic. We are a nation that prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy, a nation whose people have fought and died for their right to self-governance. And yet, here we stand, watching silently as our elections are potentially influenced by foreign entities, and our government does nothing.
We must ask ourselves some hard questions. Have our opposition leaders become so power-hungry that they are willing to sell the nation’s integrity for political gains? Have our institutions become so weak that they cannot stand up to this challenge? Have we, as citizens, become so indifferent that we will continue to accept this blatant assault on our democracy without resistance?
It is time for the citizens of India to rise above party affiliations and demand an independent, transparent investigation into these allegations. The government must shed its silence and take decisive action, not only to protect our sovereignty but to hold those responsible accountable. If we do not act now, we might as well stop pretending we live in a democracy. Because in a manipulated system, our votes mean nothing. And that is the greatest tragedy of all.
We need mass public pressure, we need voices raised in every street, every town, every city. We need the media to do its job and question those in power. We need the judiciary to take notice. We need the Election Commission to assert its role as the guardian of free and fair elections. If we, the people, do not rise now, we risk losing our democracy forever.
The time to act is now. If we don’t, we will forever be ruled by leaders who do not serve us, but serve those who pull the strings from abroad. And that, my fellow Indians, is an unforgivable betrayal.
