07/09/2026
🇮🇳 *Nation First | My Advice*
Which direction is India going?
I am not asking this as a supporter of any political party. I am asking this as an Indian citizen who believes that the nation must always be bigger than every political party, leader, ideology or business interest.
We must have the courage to look at uncomfortable facts.
1. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Journalists are supposed to question power—not fear it.
Reporters Without Borders ranks India 157th out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, with concerns including violence against journalists, concentrated media ownership and political pressure.
That should concern every Indian—whether we like the journalist or not.
A democracy without an independent press eventually becomes a democracy without informed citizens.
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2. FARMERS AND THE AGRICULTURAL CRISIS
Farmers should not have to repeatedly take to the streets simply to make their economic insecurity heard.
Punjab farmers again began protests in August 2026 demanding, among other things, a legal MSP guarantee, debt relief and compensation.
We may disagree with a protester's methods or politics.
But the question remains:
Why are farmers still struggling to get predictable economic security after decades of agricultural policy?
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3. ASSAM AND THE QUESTION OF DUE PROCESS
Land, forests, encroachment and illegal occupation are legitimate governance issues.
But enforcement must always follow law, due process, rehabilitation where required and equal treatment.
Amnesty International reported that around 1,800 mostly Muslim households were made homeless during a July 2025 eviction drive in Assam's Paikan Reserve Forest, and raised concerns about rehabilitation and the use of force.
The principle is simple:
Illegal occupation should be dealt with—but constitutional rights cannot become optional.
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4. PROTESTS AND POLICING
A democratic government has the right to maintain public order.
But peaceful protest is also a democratic right.
Amnesty International's 2026 investigation into the July 2026 Delhi protests alleged excessive use of force and documented the use of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas, grenades and batons. Delhi Police disputed allegations of disproportionate force.
Whenever there are competing claims, the answer should not be propaganda.
The answer should be an independent investigation, evidence and accountability.
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5. ED, TAX AUTHORITIES, FIRs AND INVESTIGATIVE POWER
This is one of the most serious institutional questions.
The Enforcement Directorate itself reports that, up to March 31, 2026, it had recorded 8,851 PMLA ECIRs, arrested 1,187 people and filed 2,396 prosecution complaints—but only 60 trials had been completed.
Freedom House reported that of 193 ED cases against politicians disclosed by the government for the preceding decade, only two had ended in convictions as of May 2025.
These numbers do not prove that every investigation is politically motivated.
But they raise an important democratic question:
Are powerful investigative institutions being used consistently, independently and equally against everyone?
The same standard must apply to the ruling party, opposition parties, businessmen, bureaucrats and ordinary citizens.
Law must never become a political weapon.
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6. EVMs: FACTS BEFORE FEAR
We should not spread claims about EVM manipulation without evidence.
The Election Commission says the Supreme Court rejected petitions raising several EVM-related allegations, and India has established procedures for testing and verification.
At the same time, citizens have every right to demand maximum transparency, auditable processes and credible verification.
My position is simple:
Don't blindly trust. Don't blindly doubt. Verify.
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7. POLITICAL HORSE-TRADING AND POWER
When elected representatives change sides, governments collapse, alliances suddenly change and allegations of inducements emerge, democracy suffers—even when individual actions are technically defended through political manoeuvring.
The voter gives a mandate.
That mandate should not become a commodity after the election.
We need stronger anti-defection mechanisms, transparent political funding and consequences for bribery or inducement—regardless of which party benefits.
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8. CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL FUNDING
The Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds scheme in 2024, holding that non-disclosure of political funding violated citizens' right to information.
This teaches us something fundamental:
Political money must be transparent because political decisions affect public money.
If a company gives money to a political party, citizens should be able to know.
If a politician becomes wealthy, the source should be explainable.
If a government contract is awarded, the process should withstand public scrutiny.
Transparency is not anti-government. Transparency protects government.
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9. DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT
Development is necessary.
But development that destroys forests, water systems and ecological security without proper assessment can create a much larger bill for future generations.
Government data shows that between April 2019 and March 2024, approval was given for diversion of 95,724.99 hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes.
At the same time, India's official forest report recorded a 156.41 sq km increase in forest cover nationally compared with the previous assessment, while some states experienced significant decreases.
So the debate should not be:
"Development or environment?"
It should be:
"How do we achieve development without destroying the natural capital on which our economy and future generations depend?"
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10. PRIVATISATION AND PUBLIC ASSETS
Privatisation or PPP is not automatically good or bad.
It depends on price discovery, competition, transparency, regulation and public interest.
For example, the government has pursued airport monetisation through PPPs. In 2023, the government stated that 14 airports were operating under PPP, while 25 AAI airports had been earmarked for leasing under the National Monetisation Pipeline.
The question should therefore not be:
"Private or government?"
The question should be:
"Who gets the value, who bears the risk, what does the taxpayer receive, and is the public interest protected?"
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THE REAL PROBLEM
The biggest danger is not one political party.
The biggest danger is institutional capture, weak accountability and citizens becoming comfortable with double standards.
Today we defend an institution when it acts against our opponent.
Tomorrow we attack the same institution when it acts against us.
That is not democracy. That is tribal politics.
India cannot be built on:
- selective justice,
- political revenge,
- blind nationalism,
- blind opposition,
- media intimidation,
- corruption,
- cronyism,
- communal division,
- misinformation,
- environmental destruction,
- or institutions being treated as political weapons.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
1. Independent institutions
ED, CBI, Income Tax, Election Commission, police and regulators must operate with transparent procedures and credible independence.
2. Judicial accountability and speedy trials
Years of investigation without conclusion cannot become punishment by itself.
3. Police reform
FIRs must be based on law and evidence—not political pressure.
4. Transparent political funding
Every major political contribution should be traceable and publicly disclosed.
5. Stronger anti-defection law
An elected mandate should not be casually converted into political bargaining.
6. Independent journalism
Protect journalists—even when they expose people we support.
7. Electoral transparency
Maintain strong EVM security, paper-trail verification, audits and transparent disclosure of election procedures.
8. RTI and whistleblower protection
Citizens who expose corruption should receive protection—not intimidation.
9. Transparent privatisation
Public assets must be monetised only through competitive, independently audited and publicly accountable processes.
10. Environmental accountability
Every major infrastructure project should disclose environmental costs, rehabilitation plans and long-term public benefit.
11. Farmers need economic security
MSP, markets, insurance, irrigation, storage, technology and agricultural reforms must be designed around sustainable farmer incomes—not election cycles.
12. Most importantly—citizens must change.
Stop asking:
"Is my party winning?"
Start asking:
"Is my country becoming stronger?"
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MY EXPERIENCE AND MY ADVICE
I have learned one thing:
When institutions become stronger than individuals, nations become stronger.
No leader is permanent.
No party is permanent.
No government is permanent.
India is permanent.
Therefore, don't defend wrongdoing because your favourite leader did it.
Don't oppose a good policy because your opponent proposed it.
Don't believe every WhatsApp message.
Don't reject every uncomfortable fact.
Verify. Question. Think. Speak responsibly.
Nation First does not mean government first.
Nation First means:
Constitution first.
Truth first.
Justice first.
Public interest first.
India first.
We don't need citizens who blindly support the government.
We don't need citizens who blindly oppose the government.
We need citizens who blindly support the TRUTH—and hold every government accountable.
That is how a democracy survives.
That is how institutions become stronger.
That is how India becomes stronger.
*– The Nation First* 🇮🇳✨
Empowering People. Strengthening Communities. Inspiring Positive Change.
