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The Opposition’s ‘vote chori’ campaign has a language problem

While the anti-SIR protests have undoubtedly dented the infallible, larger-than-life image of Narendra Modi, do they really have the potential to bring down the government?

India is witnessing student protests that have expanded from the issue of NEET paper leaks and education to the integrity of the electoral process. After successfully securing the resignation of the education minister, the protesters have now turned to demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Many activists and political analysts argue this could be the final nail in the coffin of the Modi government.

While the protests have undoubtedly dented the infallible, larger-than-life image of Narendra Modi, do they really hold the potential to bring down the current government? Not only does that seem unlikely, but the idea also comes across as a consciously concocted booby trap that has engulfed Opposition parties into a movement that may not have a deeper reach and is largely confined to urban pockets, educated youth and activists. Why is it so?

Firstly, the Opposition parties’ “save the Constitution” and “save democracy” narrative may seem too abstract to the common person on the street. These ideas are not as self-evident as their proponents project them to be.

Historically, the language of constitutional morality and constitutional principles has rarely resonated directly with popular politics and mass mobilisation. The demand to uphold constitutional propriety, however important it may be to........

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