Dictatorships crash when dialogue fails: Shiv Sena (UBT) in 'Saamana'

Shiv Sena UBT on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the BJPled Central government alleging that it has failed to engage with protesting youths and has instead relied on police action to deal with public dissentIn an editorial published in its party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled party claimed that the governments refusal to hold dialogue with protesters reflected a growing disconnect between the administration and citizensThe editorial comes amid continuing protests over the alleged NEETUG paper leak and the police action against demonstrators during the Sansad Chalo march in New Delhi earlier this weekSaamana criticises police action against protestersThe editorial described the police response to the protests in Delhi as excessive and alleged that demonstrators continued their agitation despite the use of forceOn the streets of Delhi police were lathicharging youth while angry young people quietly stood their ground and absorbed the blows When protesters are born who say Hit me more but I will not move from here what harm can dictators do to them On Monday the tyranny of the worlds largest democracy was seen on the streets of Delhi Government violence on Indias land of Buddha proved to be a mockery of humanity Modi calls himself a Vishwaguru Blind followers consider him the 13th incarnation of Vishnu However on the streets of Delhi they are running a demonic regime that breaks the heads of innocent youth If those in power do not initiate a dialogue it seems their rule will not last long the editorial statedThe party alleged that the governments approach had intensified public resentment rather than resolving the issueEditorial questions governments response to protestsThe Saamana editorial argued that the Centre had consistently avoided engaging in dialogue with protesters journalists and citizens raising concernsIt also questioned why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had not resigned amid the continuing protests over the alleged NEETUG paper leakIn reality taking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was easy but PM Modi does not take this resignation Because after that a queue of resignations would follow in the Cabinet At least a dozen ministers who are statues of vices like corruption looting and inefficiency would have to resign Every time the public will come onto the streets and knock on Modis door to demand the resignations of corrupt officials the editorial saidThe claims made in the editorial reflect the partys political position The Central government has not accepted these allegationsEditorial highlights protests across statesThe editorial also referred to several ongoing protests across the country including demonstrations over environmental issues land acquisition and infrastructure projectsIt mentioned protests related to tree felling in Rishikesh forest clearances in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and farmer agitations in Maharashtra districts including Nashik Akola Solapur Bhandara and BuldhanaAccording to the party these protests indicate broader public dissatisfaction with government policiesShiv Sena UBT raises concerns over institutionsThe Uddhav Thackerayled party further alleged that democratic institutions were being weakened and criticised the functioning of constitutional bodiesThe editorial also referred to political developments in Maharashtra including the absence of a recognised Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature and criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the conduct of legislative proceedingsThese remarks are allegations made by the party and have not been responded to by the BJP or the Maharashtra government in the editorialEditorial warns against breakdown of dialogueDrawing comparisons with student and youthled movements in countries such as Libya Bangladesh and Nepal the editorial argued that the absence of dialogue between governments and citizens has historically led to political instabilityDialogue is crucial in politics However dialogue between the Modi government and the public has ended For the BJP the voter has become a purchasable commodity The ego of Modi who ruled for 12 years on the formula that elections can be won by buying this commodity has been reduced to dust by the anger of the youth the editorial statedConcluding the article the Saamana editorial claimed that governments become vulnerable when they fail to respond to public grievances and alleged that democratic institutions were increasingly being influenced by the ruling establishment