Let me put it in this way... Most folks do not have memories of pre-social media era ... 47-2008. Here are some glimses of that time.
- Mayawati had to literally run from UP otherwise UP police was looking to encounter her on Mulayam's orders. A BJP leader intervened to save her life, she used to still tie Rakhi on his hand. (
https://www.opindia.com/2022/01/up-...saved-mayawati-from-sp-goons/#google_vignette)
- In WB, standing in election as a non communist was impossible. Votes were manipulated by crowding polling booths. CPI cadets used to ensure that you can not enter polling booth if they know you were not one of the cadres.
- At one time there was only one channel -- Doordarshan (govt channel) and PURE Congress propaganda used to play there. I do not know if you guys have heard that song from mind 90s that used to play a lot, it was called "Char Kadam Sooraj ke Or" and another "Kahan milega yeh chaman hamara". See this
. Now imagine this playing 20 times daily on TV with you having no option to switch channel. Check who is shown as "saviour" in this video from communal violence.
- We are talking about weaponization of govt agencies? You have seen nothing! AIADMK got karunanidhi literally dragged from his home and the video recorded. That video used to play a lot on TV with poor Karunanidhi with his black glasses being dragged, his lungi flaying.
- Even in 2012, Sibbal got lathi charge on Ramdev's large gathering during Lokpal/corruption protest. He called it political Aasan.
- Those who are cursing bonds perhaps do not remember the suitecase culture of 80s 90s and perhaps mid 2000s.
- Those who are questioning quid pro quo perhaps have not even seen the license raj culture or AMPC culture. Ever wonder how Tatas become so big? It has way more to do with their relationship with Congress than Ratan Tata's genius.
- If you think ED, CBI is misused, wait till you see how literal fascism used to operate in 70s. Many people who were "disappeared" back than have not been seen till now or not even their remains found. Indra Gandhi was making Stalin proud!
Indian politics has always been extremely grime and gritty. Its only now you are seeing it more upclose.