India’s democracy is apparently in such danger that it cannot be saved from within India. Germany-based YouTuber Dhruv Rathee is taking his protest against the Indian Election Commission to London. Because nothing says “save Indian democracy” quite like travelling to a third country from your country of residence to protest against an institution in another country.
The Election Commission is in India, the YouTuber is in Germany, and the protest is in Britain. At this rate, the next Lok Sabha election might as well be conducted by video conference from Brussels.
One wonders why London? Surely, if the Indian electoral system is under threat, the most logical place to raise the issue would be India itself. But perhaps protesting abroad offers certain advantages like international publicity, dramatic photographs and the comforting knowledge that the institution being criticised is hundreds of miles away.
And then there is the crowd. London has a sizeable Pakistani community, and some may well be happy to join a demonstration criticising an Indian institution. A few extra placards, some enthusiastic slogans and suddenly a local protest can be presented as an international movement. Of course, nobody can assume that Pakistanis will automatically participate simply because of their nationality.
Still, the optics practically write the satire themselves, an Indian political controversy, a Germany-based YouTuber, a British protest venue and an international audience being invited to weigh in on India’s electoral arrangements.
To be clear, criticising the Election Commission is perfectly legitimate. Living abroad does not strip anyone of the right to express an opinion. But if the objective is to influence Indian democracy, surely Indian voters matter more than the photographic backdrop.
Perhaps the next step is obvious, hold the protest in London, livestream it from Germany and demand that the Election Commission respond from New Delhi.
Three countries, one controversy, and plenty of international mileage.
