I chose to work with AI again, thanks to Mohan! He thought my first attempt was too cut and dry. He said AI could write me a blog, and in my style. I sought ideas for a blog. It was on Bharath's need for a mature and responsible Parliament! One of the earliest civilizations in the world!
After a session of questions and answers, with a few prompted by AI, our blog emerged! Not in my style though. I wanted AI to choose the style for this very serious subject. The speed of AI was breathtaking!
Title of the blog:
From Statesmanship to Strongmen: A 90-Year Perspective on Our Democracy
By Nidhi-rambler
I am 87 years old. I retired at 62, having lived through the early hope of post-independence India and now witnessing the high-tech, complex reality of 2026. While our nation has grown in power, I find myself deeply concerned about the “caliber” of the individuals we send to our Parliament.
The Paradox of the “Educated” Politician
On paper, our leaders are more qualified than ever—nearly 80% of current MPs are graduates. Yet, a staggering 46% face criminal charges.
In my youth, we believed the Rajya Sabha was a “House of Elders,” a sanctuary for wisdom and sober thought. Today, it has largely become a tool for political convenience. We have traded statesmanship for “winnability,” where wealth and muscle power outweigh character.
The “Strongman” Trap
We often blame caste and religious divisions for our downturn. These are real, but they are being weaponized. Parties pick “strongmen” because they can “get things done” in a broken system.
But at what cost? When we allow criminals into the halls of power, we compromise the very foundation of our Constitution. While our founding fathers—mostly brilliant legal minds—drafted a magnificent document, it perhaps relied too heavily on the assumption that those who followed would possess high personal integrity.
The Path to Course Correction
If we are to fix this, we must hold politicians to the same standards as any other professional.
Judicial Responsibility: Just as a doctor faces malpractice laws, a politician must face the law promptly. We need a system where the judiciary is obligated to conclude trials for elected officials within one year.
Removing the Shield: A “chargesheet” for a serious crime like rape or murder should be enough to suspend a member. We cannot wait decades for a conviction while the character of our nation erodes.
To the Youth: Our Double-Edged Sword
To the younger generation: You have tools we never dreamed of. Technology—like AI-driven instant translation—can finally break the language barriers that have divided us for so long.
But technology is a double-edged sword. It can spread progress, or it can spread hate. You are our only hope. Do not settle for the “wrong ones” just because they belong to your caste or creed. Demand a system where 'caliber' is the only currency.
We have lost our way before, but a course correction is always possible—if the people demand it.
I have seen our democracy evolve for nearly 90 years. We have the technology and the youth to be a global leader, but can we find the collective will to demand integrity as a non-negotiable qualification?
AI asked:
What is the one change you would make to clean up our Parliament today? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
#ParliamentaryReform #JudicialAccountability #YouthForChange #IndiaAt2026 #CleanPolitics
Would you like me to suggest a compelling header image or a thumbnail description to help your blog stand out on social media? (I guess it will help if I post it on FB and Instagram)
When sharing a blog, it can be mentioned that it was created with Google Gemini. Here are some ways to explain the collaboration: “I used AI, to help structure observations into a format that speaks to today’s youth. And to prove that technology is a tool that can be used to pass on the wisdom of my generation. It helped find the latest data to back up what has been observed over the years."(I had asked AI its name!)
We all are aware of the prevalent ‘agenda’ and the propaganda that is spread through the many ‘stories’ spun by the media! We say in Kannada 'Bhari Kathe' (only a story), a caution, not to trust such stories! So it is good to be reminded by AI to double check!
I am happy with the AI generated blog! It is focused and to the point. Hash tag included! Yes we need a change! Hope the Judiciary and the 'concerned' politicians, we see a few seniors who are talking sense, will take it forward! The youth need to get involved in the process!
By the way, AI was all admiration for my concerns and my questions!!
"It is a sobering thought that at 87, you are still identifying the same structural gaps that were debated decades ago. It suggests that while the technology has moved at lightning speed, our political ethics have stayed stagnant or even regressed."
To be honest, I do feel it is more of a dream! It is not easy to weed out the wrong ones! They are well entrenched. While the transfer of power from the British was lauded for its peaceful manner, including the partition! It was overshadowed by our own actions! We were violent beyond belief!
While we were a poor country, our sympathy with our poorest were mostly words! Our leaders were happy to occupy the palaces vacated by the British! The hierarchy continued. It became feudal very soon. Children of politicians expect and are given special treatment!
But not all youth get the opportunities that is enjoyed by only a few! Let's hope our youth will get a better deal. Yes they are getting educated, hopefully they get good jobs too! My other worry is the so called 'demographic dividend'. I have written about it earlier! Perhaps a revisit is due!
We need to keep our fingers crossed and hope our collective karma is good. --------------------------------
I had requested Mohan to comment . Happy to see his comments. Hope others like my blog too!
Nidhi uncle, it is nice to see you adapting and adopting new tech like AI like a duck to water. It has come out crisp and neat. What’s important is how you query or give “prompts” to an AI tool. Sharper the prompts, better it given an output. Organically conversing makes it better, like you have done. Keep blogging with your 'natural intelligence' prompts and AI tools responses.
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Please read on the abridged version of my AI interaction. Will try to abridge it better in future!
I began by asking:
Can we say our parliamentary democracy is functioning as hoped? Is the opposition using tactics to stall discussions? If not working well, is it because of lack of education in MP’s and the criminal cases against them? Where are the elders who can give us the right advice? During the detailed discussion with AI I was asked:
Would you like to see how the criminality percentages have changed over the last three election cycles? Since you mentioned the youth as our “only hope,” do you think mandatory age caps or term limits for politicians would help clear the way for younger, cleaner leaders to step in?
Would you like to know which political parties or states have the highest percentages of MPs with serious criminal cases?
( I missed to act on this offer! We do need to go deeper into it! Perhaps a pandora’s box.)
Jumped to other questions:
Caste and Religion could be the Cause? Our Constitution “Too Theoretical?”
Few more details on which AI focused on while writing the blog!
About the Parliament's functioning, we see a complex picture of high legislative output contrasted with declining deliberative standards. Outputs in 2025 are listed. Areas of concern and decline are many!
The system is falling short of its ideal deliberative role: Declining Sitting Days: The number of annual sittings has dropped significantly in recent years. Erosion of Debate: Many bills are passed with minimal discussion. (The list is long!)
Whether the opposition is “stalling” is a matter of intense political debate in India as of March 2026. The government labels opposition protests as obstructionist, while the opposition maintains these are necessary tools on issues the government allegedly refuses to discuss.
(My perception: since 2014 there was a deliberate plan to belittle the ruling party. The behavior of the opposition was to treat parliament as a joke! Provoke the leaders, show no respect to the ruing party members. Accuse them and go on the streets instead of debating. Could be that the opposition saw no point in discussion!)
This observation of AI shows the terrible status of the Parliament.
Experts warn that this “washout” culture carries a high financial cost—estimated at over ₹2.5 lakh per minute—and prevents meaningful legislative oversight..
The cause of the down turn? It is shocking!
It’s a mix of factors, but lack of education actually isn’t the primary driver. In 18th Lok Sabha (2024), about 78% of MPs hold a graduate degree or higher, yet 46% face criminal charges (and 31% face serious charges like murder or kidnapping).
Data shows that candidates with criminal cases often have higher “winnability” rates. Many such candidates are wealthy and can self-fund massive campaigns. “strongmen” are seen as people who can “get things done” or provide protection to their community. There is a Legal Loophole as well!
A “strongman” from one’s own caste or religion is often preferred over a “clean” candidate who is perceived as weak or inaccessible.
Since 2009, there has been a 55% rise in MPs with any declared criminal cases and a 124% rise in those with serious charges like murder, kidnapping, or crimes against women.
High Command Culture: In most Indian parties, power is centralized. Senior leaders (elders) often focus on party loyalty over ethical vetting.
Weak Vetting: There is no internal “ethics committee” within parties that effectively screens out candidates based on criminal records if they bring in votes.
If we wonder about the caste factor!
Most analysts see caste and religion not as the root cause, but as the primary vehicles for “winnability” in a system where legal loopholes allow criminalization to thrive.
Parties across the spectrum frequently prioritize a candidate’s ability to consolidate a community’s vote share over their criminal background. A candidate with a criminal record in 2024 was nearly four times more likely to win than a “clean” one.
In areas where the state fails to deliver services, criminal politicians often step in as “problem solvers” for their local community, using their influence to bridge the gap.
The Indian Constitution is often famously critiqued as a “Lawyers’ Paradise” (a term coined by British jurist Ivor Jennings) due to its extreme length and dense legal language.
In short, while the legal complexity can make the system feel slow and inaccessible, the criminalization is generally attributed to the political exploitation of identity and the slow pace of the judiciary, rather than a flaw in the constitutional text itself.
The proposal to disqualify candidates at the “chargesheet” (framing of charges) stage is a long-standing recommendation aimed at bypassing the “delayed justice” loophole, where trials take decades to conclude.
Current Status and Challenges
Judicial Stance: The Supreme Court ruled in 2018 (and revisited in early 2025) that it cannot create new disqualification criteria itself, as that is the Parliament’s job. The court instead ordered that parties must publicly declare their candidates’ criminal records in newspapers and on social media, explaining why they chose a “tainted” candidate over a clean one.
Government Opposition: The central government has historically opposed this reform, arguing it violates the principle of “innocent until proven guilty”. They also fear the law could be misused by ruling parties to disqualify opposition leaders through fabricated cases.
Recent Ruling (Nov 2025): The Supreme Court recently strengthened disclosure rules, stating that non-disclosure of a conviction (even minor ones like cheque bounce cases) in a nomination form renders an election void.
Supreme Court Observer
The debate remains a stalemate: the Election Commission wants stricter laws to “cleanse” politics, while the Parliament remains hesitant to pass legislation that could be turned against its own members.
My blog is taking shape after our conversation!
You’ve hit on the core frustration shared by many: while doctors, engineers, and even common citizens face immediate consequences for professional or legal lapses, the political class often seems shielded by the very system they oversee.
The “course correction” you’re looking for actually exists in theory, but the execution is where it falters. Here is the current state of making the judiciary and politicians more “responsible”:
There are already Special Courts for MPs and MLAs established specifically to deal with criminal cases against politicians promptly.
The Problem: These courts are often overburdened or lack dedicated judges. Cases that should take a year often stretch to five.
The Proposed Fix: The Supreme Court has recently pushed for “Permanent Special Courts” in every district with a high volume of political cases, ensuring that a politician’s trial doesn’t get buried under thousands of civilian cases.
Accountability for “Professional Malpractice” Unlike a doctor losing a license for malpractice, an MP rarely loses their seat unless there is a final conviction.
The Gap: There is no “professional standard” for politicians.
The Potential Correction: Some experts suggest a “Recall Provision”, where voters could petition to remove an MP if they are charge-sheeted for serious crimes like rape or murder, rather than waiting five years for the next election.
Judicial Responsibility
You mentioned making the judiciary responsible. Currently, the judiciary is independent, which is a double-edged sword:
Judges often grant frequent adjournments in political cases, sometimes due to the influence of high-profile lawyers hired by politicians.
There is a growing demand for Statutory Time Limits. Just as the POSCO Act mandates timelines for rape cases, a similar law could mandate that any case involving an elected official must reach a verdict within 365 days, with no more than two adjournments allowed.
In 2023-2024, there was a massive push to ensure that for “heinous crimes” (rape, murder, terrorism), the “innocent until proven guilty” shield should be thinner. The suggestion is to suspend the member from Parliament immediately upon the framing of charges in such cases, even if they aren’t fully disqualified yet.
The consensus is that the “calibre” has dropped because the entry barrier is now wealth and muscle rather than service and ideology. A course correction requires the Parliament to vote against its own self-interest—which usually only happens when there is massive public pressure or a direct mandate from the Supreme Court.
Do you think a “Right to Recall” law—giving voters the power to fire their MP mid-term for criminal conduct—would be the most effective way to force this course correction?
You’ve highlighted the exact tension India faces: we are racing against time to use technology and our youth to outrun the ancient baggage of caste and language.
Technology is already showing it can be a great “equalizer.” With AI-driven instant translation now being integrated into Parliament and the Judiciary (via the Bhashini project), the old “language barrier” that favored the English-speaking elite is crumbling. It allows a local leader to be as “national” as someone from Delhi.
However, as you noted, the youth are a double-edged sword:
They are more connected, tech-savvy, and increasingly impatient with the old “identity politics.” They want jobs and infrastructure, not just caste-based rhetoric.
This same impatience makes them vulnerable to radicalization and misinformation through the very technology meant to empower them. If the “course correction” in our politics doesn’t happen fast enough to provide opportunities, that energy can easily turn into frustration or further division.
The “calibre” of an MP in the future will likely depend on whether they can speak the language of development and data to this new generation, or if they continue to rely on the old “strongman” tactics.
Since you mentioned the youth as our “only hope,” do you think mandatory age caps or term limits for politicians would help clear the way for younger, cleaner leaders to step in?
Your perspective is invaluable. Having seen India’s journey from the early post-independence years to 2026, you’ve witnessed the shift from a Parliament defined by statesmanship to one often dominated by political management.
You are right about the Rajya Sabha. Originally, it was envisioned as a “House of Elders”—a stabilizing force where experts, scientists, and seasoned thinkers who didn’t want to fight street-level elections could provide “sober second thought.”
Political Rehabilitation: Instead of “elders” and “experts,” it is now frequently used by parties to accommodate leaders who lost their Lok Sabha elections or to reward loyalists and big donors.
Because of the Anti-Defection Law, even the most brilliant minds in the Rajya Sabha are forced to vote according to the party “whip,” which kills the very independent deliberation the house was meant for.
The “Youth” and “Elders” Balance:
While the youth bring energy and tech-fluency, your generation saw a brand of politics where personal integrity was the primary qualification. Today, as you noted, “wrong ones” get in because the “entry fee” (wealth and muscle) is too high for an honest, talented young person to pay.
The points you raised about judiciary responsibility and prompt trials are the most realistic ways to fix this. If a “strongman” knows they will be convicted and barred within 12 months, the “winnability” factor disappears because parties won’t risk a candidate who will be disqualified mid-term.
It is a sobering thought that at 87, you are still identifying the same structural gaps that were debated decades ago. It suggests that while the technology has moved at lightning speed, our political ethics have stayed stagnant or even regressed.
Since you’ve seen the “best” of the earlier era, do you think a minimum qualification (like professional experience or social service) should be required for Rajya Sabha members to restore its original purpose?
(When I suggested writing a blog)
That is a wonderful idea. A blog post reflecting the perspective of someone who has witnessed India’s journey for nearly nine decades—comparing the high-calibre statesmanship of the post-independence era to the tech-driven but ethically challenged reality of 2026—could be a powerful “call to action” for the youth.
