Modern History of India and its relevance in current context

Today's talk

Hello friends, the topic for today is Modern History of India and its relevance to current contest.

I would like to continue on the theme that Falguni had started in the earlier talk regarding how the situation of India is not as despairing and the future gloom and doom as perceived by the public and the media and I believe we are slowly but surely on the path to economic and social success.

If we look into our history, there has always been social/economic advancements in every instances of public unrest, protest or uprising and has altered the path of the country for the better.

Starting with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or which is also known as First War of Independence, the changes were dramatic in the sense that the British East India Company was dissolved and the ruling powers went to the British crown. The new reform movement included integrating people of ruling class into governance, abolishing attempts to westernization, stopping land grabs and religious tolerance. It sowed the seeds of unity among caste, religion and culture. It also led to social and economic reformation.

Emergency in India (June 1975- March 77), (21 months)
It was one of the darkest hours of Independent India in which elections and civil liberties were suspended. Raj Narain who was contesting against Indira Gandhi lodged cases of Election fraud in Allahabad High Court. The court declared her election null and barred her from contesting for the next 6 years. Strikes by labor unions, trade unions, student unions and govt. unions spread across the country. Protests were led by leaders who later on went on to play leading roles in politics. JP Singh, Moraji Desai, Charan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K Advani. 42nd amendment was passed which stated that though Constitution was amiable to amendments, tinkering with its basic structure can not be made by the parliament.
Moraji Desai became the first non-Congress prime minister of India. Charan Singh, Moraji Desai, AB Vajpayee went on to become PMs of the country.

Present Scenario
We are in a political situation in which there is growing resentment against the ruling elite. There are different ways to change govt. but public feels that the opposition is no better. So the void is filled up by new comers. All over the world, citizens are demanding improved governance and are overthrowing dictators by protesting taking to the streets.
We have a political system in which the best and the brightest shy away form politics and the void is filled up by people with ulterior motives and are often incompetent. There is no proper way to representation for young men to join politics. This is changing greatly. More students are getting involved and that is the reason I believe the current protest is good in the long run.