In the Firstpost article on May 31, 2023 I authored, I examined how the deep state might use the “death by a thousand cuts” strategy and why India must brace itself against sophisticated, well-funded toolkits aimed at regime change. By drawing parallels between the 2020 American Presidential elections and the 2023 Karnataka state elections, I highlighted various methods to influence election outcomes—a strategy termed “death by a thousand cuts’. This approach was conducted with precision and nearly achieved its objectives, were it not for the extraordinary efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meticulous planning behind the toolkit
The toolkit exploited perceived vulnerabilities within the BJP’s election machinery, using tactics ranging from divisive deepfake videos and extravagant promises of money to other deceptive practices. Meticulous studies were conducted on the 543 constituencies with narrow victory margins in the 2019 elections, leading to the formulation of schemes to increase the chances of winning.
Investigating the media’s role
The media’s potential role in this alleged election interference warrants investigation. Indian Army veteran Sandeep Dhawan, in his article ‘Curious Case of Western Deep State and Indian Elections,’ highlighted Rahul Gandhi’s 257 foreign trips between 2015 and 2019, while the BJP IT cell was busy making memes and videos on why he is not fit to be a prime minister. Dhawan questioned the purpose of these trips, including a July 2017 meeting with Chinese envoy Lou Zhaohui at the height of the Doklam standoff, along with numerous other undisclosed foreign visits. Additionally, news portals like PGurus reported that hundreds of thousands of BJP voters’ names had been removed from voter lists in parts of Tamil Nadu, raising concerns about potential irregularities.
Impact of the 2024 Election Results
This meticulous planning was reflected in the election results: the BJP faced significant losses in targeted constituencies, while their victories elsewhere were narrow. Critics argue that overconfidence, complacency, and arrogance within the BJP mirrored the ‘India Shining’ moment of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in 2004, ultimately leading to defeat. This outcome is deeply humbling for the prime minister, who has dedicated much of his life to the nation’s development.
A Call for addressing deep civilisational issues
Some right-wing followers see a silver lining in the election results, hoping this outcome will prompt the BJP to address concerns within its base—deep civilisational issues such as demographic changes, issues with the Waqf Board, the impact of the Right to Education Act on Hindu institutions, and the removal of discriminatory articles against Hindus in the Constitution. Some believe that even if India becomes a developed nation, the lack of urgency in addressing civilisational issues will result in a situation where Hindus become minorities, akin to what happened in earlier Buddhist countries like South Korea, where Buddhists now constitute only 35 per cent after just a few decades.
The cost of subverting free and fair elections
This subversion of free and fair elections may have come at an extraordinary cost to the nation’s development, especially as India confronts twin challenges from China and Pakistan at its borders. The ‘deep state’ is also trying to manipulate Indian governance towards a more compliant regime, potentially under the Congress party.
The need for self-correction
While China advances rapidly in various domains, India remains mired in a constant election cycle, with many politicians willing to exploit divisions and hinder progress, potentially plunging millions back into poverty and hardship. The BJP is a humongous election machine, but the best tools and resources are of no avail if actions are coloured by overconfidence, complacency, and arrogance. In my June 2018 article, I warned that the BJP would make a grave mistake by underestimating Rahul Gandhi. What they face is not merely an individual but a vast ecosystem supporting him, and history shows that many conflicts have been lost due to underestimation or ridicule of the adversary.
Urgent measures needed
India urgently needs to halt FCRA and impose stringent restrictions on dubious social service organisations that infiltrate remote areas, aiming to undermine democracy. There must be stringent national anti-conversion laws. The BJP, meanwhile, must thoroughly overhaul its approach to IT and social media, leveraging the latest AI technologies. Additionally, the government needs to exert tighter control over platforms like YouTube to prevent the suppression of authentic voices. Studying documented regime change operations, as depicted in documentaries like ‘Ukraine on Fire,’ can equip India to pre-empt such threats before they take hold.
Investigations and Counter-Strategies
Investigations should be conducted into nearly 300 foreign trips made by Rahul Gandhi, alongside pursuing cases related to dual citizenship, the National Herald case, and various alleged scams involving the Gandhi family. Authorities should look into attempts, if any, from the ‘Break India’ brigade to influence the Opposition to pursue its divisive agenda. Sustained efforts should focus on understanding the Opposition’s election strategies and developing quick counter-strategies. Notably, the approach should be bottom-up, emphasising grassroots feedback rather than relying solely on top-down methods.
