The comment of the Chinese News Agency highlighting the perceived performance of the Indian government is not the only such comment available on the net. Unkind comments understandably generated angry reactions from the Indian media and Indian intellectuals.
Of late, the Indian political discourse has been characterised by a sense of dissatisfaction among the people. The disenchantment of the Indian electorate can be sensed by the performance of various political parties, across the spectrum, in the elections.
Traditional media, and now increasingly, the social media is overflowing with the emotion of dissatisfaction and disenchantment of the people.
“As Indians prepare to head to the polls beginning April 7, they are in a sour mood. They are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country. This public frustration with the direction of their nation is less a judgment about economic conditions in India or their own personal financial situation and more disgruntlement about a range of problems – from inflation to corruption – that the public perceives to be troubling Indian society. Concerned, Indians express a desire for political change. They want new party and personal leadership at the national level…”
“Seven-in-ten Indians are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country; only three-in-ten (29%) are satisfied. This discontent is shared by young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural Indians in almost equal measure: men (72%) and women (67%); Indians ages 18 to 29 (72%) and those 50 years of age and older (69%); those with a primary school education or less (67%) and Indians with at least some college education (75%); and people living in urban areas (72%) as well as Indians in rural areas (68%). People across the political spectrum are dissatisfied. Those who prefer the right-of-center, Hindu-nationalist opposition BJP to lead the next Indian government (71%), those who prefer the current governing coalition led by the left-of-center Indian National Congress (Congress) party (66%) and those who say they would like to see some other leadership (65%) all say things are going poorly in the country.”
These are among the main findings of a Pew Research Center survey conducted between December 7, 2013, and January 12, 2014. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2,464 randomly selected adults at their place of residence, in states and territories that are home to roughly 91% of the Indian population.
“In the face of these challenges many Indians voice despair. Nearly two-out-of-three lament the political and parliamentary deadlock that hobbles national problem solving. And by overwhelming margins, Indians say corruption by public and business officials – those whom citizens might look to for solutions– is a significant problem.”
Yet it seems that the political masters of India are unable to identify the correct reasons for this sense of dissatisfaction. Even if they do, they do not seem to be able to do enough.
There seems to be a “disconnect” between what the people want and what the government gives.