India’s path to a justice system that serves all of its citizens will be long and challenging. To move forward, the country needs to address the colonial legacies of repression and control that linger in its past. This need for transformation is echoed in various recent discussions surrounding regulatory reforms and electoral integrity, particularly highlighted by Poonam Agarwal’s insightful book, India Inked: Elections in the World’s Largest Democracy.
Agarwal’s work provides a valuable, in-depth account of the evolution of elections in India over the last few decades. She unpacks the murky mechanics behind India’s electoral bonds. These bonds were supposed to increase accountability and transparency, but instead they have fostered a climate of opacity. These bonds have proven to have the opposite effect than what policymakers intended, largely because of their very complex alphanumeric codes that are devilishly hard to understand. This procedural sleight-of-hand undermines the democratic process. It also demonstrates how easy it is for democracy to be subverted if we fail to effectively enforce the rules.
The book has gained attention from experts, including Aditi Phadnis, who emphasizes its critical examination of electoral practices and their implications for democracy. As India stands on the edge of some form of regulatory overhaul, the need for basic operational licenses is still not being addressed. Without these licenses, all hopes of reform seem to stand still, causing countless citizens to lose faith in their justice delivery system.
Vinayak Chatterjee contributed to the discourse on future regulatory needs, addressing urban infrastructure and the advent of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. He makes the case that multidisciplinary thinking is key to tying together city planning, energy management, vertiport building and other regulatory knowhow. Such comprehensive planning is essential for ensuring that India can effectively adopt futuristic technologies while maintaining a balance with public safety and environmental sustainability.
The full extent of the deterioration of press freedom in India is nothing short of horrific. It’s under grave threat today, chiefly due to the self-serving interests of media owners. These deepening realities create a worsening environment for the free press—the crucial fourth estate that helps keep those in power accountable.
To cultivate a more equitable society, it is imperative that middle India—where entrepreneurship and employment opportunities flourish—receives better treatment from the government. Regulatory reforms should focus on the needs of this increasingly influential demographic, creating an ecosystem for growth and innovation to flourish.
Three foundational principles should guide these necessary reforms: establishing foundational thinking, identifying a clear set of functions, and creating effective checks and balances. These principles will vastly increase accountability. They’ll ensure that all stakeholders operate under a common set of guidelines focused on ensuring the best outcome for the public good.
Additionally, rather than requiring heavy-handed legislation, these advocates have demanded early and active engagement by outside directors, boards, and auditors. When they identify malpractices within startups or established enterprises, immediate action is essential to prevent systemic failures that could harm investors and consumers alike.
Today, India’s justice delivery system is equally as dismal – marred with a lack of training and resources. As the nation grapples with these issues, it must prioritize regulatory reforms that address both immediate concerns and long-term objectives.