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Democratically elected leaders only cater to those who vote for them. It has always been believed that winning the elections was a stamp of approval for future policies. However, in the past elected leaders have attempted to bring the opposition on their side.

However, both President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have shown scant respect for those opposing them. To cement his presidency Trump has played to the neo-conservative, evangelist and right-wing gallery and in the process has changed the face of the Republican party and divided the country. In India, Prime Minister Modi is slowly unveiling the Hindutva agenda, which only 37.36% of the electorate voted for in 2019. This steady creep endangers the secular fabric of the country. In response, and to the discomfort of many, the Congress has made forays into what is termed as soft Hindutva. Unlike Trump who has never called out the racism of his supporters, Modi has taken his sweet time to speak obliquely about the mob lynching by so called gau rakshaks and other atrocities committed against minorities. The attitude of both leaders has emboldened their supporters.

Though leaders are elected through democratic means, they may not be protectors of democracy. Leaders from across the globe be it Russia, Hungary, Turkey to the US and India prove this point.

According to the 2020 World Press Freedom Index brought out by Reporters Without Borders these countries rank 149, 89, 154, 136, 45 & 142 respectively. In 2012 these countries ranked 142, 10, 148, 14, 58.

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Little reason to believe the year 2021 will be much better for communities and freedom - National Herald