[bilalhusain]

Since the title mentions the idea as well as the govt, let me add that while the idea is excellent, the current (Modi) govt is incompetent when it comes to execution, or may be has some other interests. Examples - failed demonetization, poor implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), failed Covid-19 lockdown. Most of what the govt does benefits select corporates (eg. rise of Jio). Interestingly, Paytm benefited the most during demonetization (2016) which is mentioned in the article and might have catalyzed the idea. The important part to notice is that demonetization was aimed at wiping out black money, GST was supposed to improve taxation, Covid-19 lockdown was supposed to dampen the long-term effect. However, these steps which were supposed to improve economy turned out to be counter-productive. Due to the poor or misdirected execution, India's economic is tanking down. So, although self-dependence is the stated goal, I am not sure where it will land. Moreover, the authoritarian tendencies don't help either. They are known to blackout journalists, assassinate lawyer, conduct media trials and put anyone speaking against them in jail. They will be a bigger bully than Google/Apple and pose a bigger risk to privacy.

[ahiknsr]

>>>They are known to blackout journalists, assassinate lawyer, conduct media trials and put anyone speaking against them in jail.

Can you please share some citation for the assassination part. I don't think the Bar Council of India would be happy if a lawyer is assassinated by government.

[bilalhusain]

I am talking about Justice Loya [1].

By the way, the govt has been very active in making sure that they have their loyal representatives in bureaucracy as well as in judiciary. Recently, the Supreme Court convicted a prominent lawyer for a tweet criticizing them [2]. It is very easy for them to dismiss cases which might show them in bad light. Media has no independence either. Eg. the case of Punya Prasun Bajpai [3] who's show was blacked out and eventually cancelled because it was critical of Modi.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brijgopal_Harkishan_Loya

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/world/asia/india-bhushan-...

[3] https://thewire.in/media/punya-prasun-bajpai-abp-news-narend...

[jagannathtech]

This is complete BS you are spreading here. Justice Loya family clarified in detail and his fraternity many of whom are left leaning also expressed concern that the opposition party is playing dirty politics and his death was natural. One of the Supreme Court justice was even by his bedside during his death. Entire Indian media should be blacked out if criticising Modi was the criteria. Because that's what they do day in day out barring a very few.

Anyone in India know PPB is affiliated with AAP has pulled out too many stunts to be any credible.

[bilalhusain]

You are not too off from what has already been stated in the link, just that you cherry-picked it. Regarding criticism, Modi himself tweeted that "criticism makes democracy stronger"[1] so why should anyone get blacked out!

[1] https://twitter.com/pmoindia/status/986672508542824456