Exploring the Role of Enforcement Directorate(ED) in Indian Politics: BJP's Weapon or Anti-Corruption Crusader?
2024 has a lot in store for us Indians, mainly due to the General Elections. In the last five years, one law enforcement and the economic agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting financial crime in India has been a lot in the news; it is a part of the Department of Revenue. The Enforcement Directorate focuses on investigating and prosecuting cases related to money laundering, foreign exchange violations, and economic offences. Its primary objective is to curb the generation and circulation of black money, ensure compliance with the laws concerning foreign exchange, and prevent money laundering.
During the tenure of the BJP government, there has been an increase in the activities of the ED. Is this a weapon of the Government to stop the opposition? The ED recently sent notices to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding the land dealing in 2005-2006. Why this sudden interest? Not only this, there have been other instances where ED summoned Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav immediately after the meeting of the INDIA Bloc(opposition to the BJP) on December 27th. The ED has also summoned the Delhi and Jharkhand chief ministers, Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, respectively, in cases of alleged corruption—the Telangana's ex-Chief Minister's (K Chandrasekhar Rao) daughter, K.Kavitha was summoned by the ED right before the Telangana's elections. The BRS(Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi) was one of the leading contenders in the polls and a prominent opposition to the BJP. I have only named a few notable examples, and there are many more, and two common points here are:
The ED raids are right before the elections.
All of these parties belong to the opposition.
Why is the timing so aptly correct? Is there a political motivation behind the ED summons?
Disturbingly, data shared by the union government in Parliament in July 2022 reveals a six-fold increase in cases handled by the ED during PM Narendra Modi's second term, which led to accusations by opposition parties stating that the BJP is misusing ED for their political ends. A look at the data since 2019-20, when the Modi government returned to power, also revealed that the ED ramped up its work in the BJP government's second term. From registering 2,659 cases in 2018-19, it took up 5,313 points in 2021-22. Similarly, the cases recorded under PMLA(Prevention of Money Laundering Act) rose nearly six times, from 195 in 2018-19 to 1,180 in 2021-22.
In April 2023, the Supreme Court of India turned down a petition by 14 opposition parties accusing the Narendra Modi-led Government of misusing central agencies. In August 2023, in a debate in the parliament, Union Home Minister Meenakshi Lekhi from BJP told the opposition, "Keep quiet, or ED may arrive at your home." this shows the pre-planned decision to target any official who crosses the boundaries drawn by the BJP. This act also reveals the threat to the democracy of our Country; claiming to be the world's largest democratic party is not helping it. What has baffled the opposition parties is that the investigating agencies have always timed their actions to suit the political interests of the BJP.
Silencing the voices of the opposition by unleashing the ED on them shows the misuse of democracy by the BJP Government. We, as the citizens of the Country, should be worried that the ED is being misused to quiet those who disagree with the Government. One of the most critical aspects of development is to receive feedback and work on it. Still, our Government wants to be autocratic and listen to no one. Though this matter was sent to the Supreme Court of India, the case dismissed it outright, allowing us to question the decision-making of the highest guardian of the same Constitution that will enable us to challenge the Government.
In questioning the Government's and the ED's actions, citizens must remain vigilant and uphold the values that define a thriving democracy. The role of investigative agencies should be impartial, ensuring justice rather than serving as tools for political parties. As India approaches the crucial General Elections in 2024, the nation's commitment to preserving the integrity of its democratic institutions will undoubtedly shape its future political landscape.
"In the dance of power, let our collective voices be the melody that guides the rhythm of accountability, for it is in unity that true strength and justice emerge."
Nice !