Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has expressed concern about the diminishing state of democracy in India, describing it as the gravest danger the nation is currently facing. He highlighted that while other communities are dealing with issues like unemployment and inflation, minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, are facing discrimination alongside these challenges.
Speaking at an event organized by Christian groups in Hyderabad, Chidambaram emphasized that minorities are living in fear and that India’s democracy is under attack. He pointed to recent incidents of attacks on media and journalists critical of the government, warning that if this erosion of democracy continues, it may eventually disappear. He also mentioned that there have been 2,900 incidents of inter-religious communal conflict reported by the NCR Bureau between 2017 and 2021, with minorities often being the victims.
Chidambaram further explained how NGOs run by minorities have been targeted after the NDA government came to power. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of thousands of organizations has been canceled, including 622 in Telangana alone. While Christian organizations have received funds from other countries and foreign groups, the Congress government did not interfere as they were engaged in social service and helping the poor. However, the Modi government has taken a different approach.
Highlighting the case of Father Stan Swamy, who was arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad case and died in prison after being denied bail, Chidambaram criticized the state of the judicial system. He described how an old man who needed a straw for drinking water due to health issues had to apply to the court for it. Tragically, Father Stan Swamy passed away while his bail argument was still being heard. These instances serve as examples of the challenges faced by minorities in India and the deterioration of the judicial system.
