The Emerging Deep State in India

Of late there are discussions about the emerging Deep State in India. In fact, Donal Trump, former President of USA  said that he is constrained to wage a war against the “Shadow Enemy”, which was wrongly conceived as Covid pandemic. Whereas he was referring to the “Deep State” which is surreptitiously attempting to disrupt the legal functioning of his Government. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi warned that the emerging Deep State in India is vigorously attempting to  destroy the Democratic System in the Country. He also warned that a few big Business Houses are behind this disruption.

One of the recent research on Deep State says that “ The Deep State is a ‘ Global Criminal Organisation’, which is neither structured nor transparent.

The study also  emphasises that they are a ‘shadow state’ behind the elected State consisting of vested  and powerful individuals cutting across the bureaucracy; Defence; Police;  information Technology; Media and other Cultural Institutions. “

One  who governs the money( Finance Capital) and  the Information Information wields the Power and the ‘ knowledge’ and thus the”‘Shadow Governance”.

There are umpteen number of instances how this Shadow Governance has eliminated the opposition in large democracies!

It’s well known that Central Banks “control the Money” and the Finance/ Monopoly Capital.

It was in 1920 the  CEO of “ Bank of England”  announced that Bank of International Settlement (BIS) which originated at Sweden will conduct all international Trades settlements in Pound Sterling, and thus ensuring the dominance of Bank of England and Pound  Sterling in the International  market.

MONEY is created by Central Banks and lent for the business on interest. The borrowers  have to refund the loans with interest. The borrowers can repay the loans with interest, only if they earn more and more to service the interest. Thus they have to incur more debt to repay the loans and so on.

However, one cannot forget or forgive the instances of several business tycoons fleeing the Country after borrowing thousands of crores of money deposited by the tax payers of this Country!

Just like Banks it is IT Companies, which control the “ Information” globally, reiterating the old saying “ Knowledge is Power”.

The Multi-National  IT Company “Ericsson” which owns more than 65,000 patents  up into  Its’  sleeves was the pioneer in this field.

It may be surprising to know that a tiny country like Sweden has become the epicentre of this Global Criminal Organisation, called the “ DeepState”.

• Beneath the outward appearance of legitimate government and accountable officials there lurk hidden agendas, shadowy personalities and special interest groups seeking to seize control of the nation for their own ends. These ‘states within a state’, unfettered by legal norms and unworried by public opinion, are known as ‘deep states’.
  
  In his fascinating account, Ian Fitzgerald examines what a deep state really is and how they have emerged in various places across the world and throughout history.
• Ranging from the police state of East Germany in the 1950s to the narco states of Latin America in the 1970s to the institutional corruption of 21st century Nigeria, he explores the many ways people have sought to seize the apparatus of power for themselves while remaining out of sight.

• it was when  Adam Smith’s book was published in 1776, Smith saw that a tendency towards deep state activity is an almost natural outcome of any interaction between power and money – and the bigger the interaction the deeper the state.

• Now the subject of modern conspiracy theories the world over as a worrying trend toward unelected power emerges, this book  On “ Deep State” is more timely than ever, and helps separate fact from fiction.
  
   The book cited above “ On DeepState looks at  deep state conspiracies around the world, including:
  • the narco-states of Colombia and Mexico – where legitimate institutions have been corrupted by the power and wealth of the illegal drug trade
  • the illicit tax haven of Panama and the 2016 “Panama Papers”, history’s biggest data leak
  • the United Fruit Company’s involvement in the 1954 coup d’état in Guatemala
  • the robber barons of the late 19th- and early 20th- century America
  • the role of intelligence services such as the CIA, FBI and NSA in the US deep state, at home and abroad
  • the extent to which social media sites such as Facebook influence voters in Brexit Polls!

• It  covers almost every continent, journeys back to the past and looks to the future, too – and what emerges clearly is that while the where, the when and the who of deep states may change, the why remains the same.

• Between 6 and 10 percent of senior public officials were tried on charges of bribery during Athens’ golden age, with around half of them convicted.

• Fortunately, democracy did not disappear with the Athenian city-state. It survived and grew and evolved in Europe and then around the world, but so did the deep state virus that attached itself to the body politic and which remains to this day, dormant in many cases but very active in others.

• WhileCorporates ruled   Countries like USA, the Deep State is operated through the Military Establishments and War mongering cartels of Arm Manufacturing/ promoting  Industry and the related Corrupt Beareaucracy.
• Similarly, Military/ Totalitarian Regimes in the Middle East and other continents fall a prey for the designs of  War mongering  Global Corporates.
• Whereas it is qualitatively different  in the Indian Continent.
• – Here the cultural Hegemonyengineered by RSS and the hierarchical Caste System and Brahminism as it’s  driving ideology is behind the Deep State.
• – This has backed theBJP led Governancefor serving  the  interests of the Corporates and Crony Capitalism.
• – The entire Cultural Industry including Educational System and the related Institutions are serving as Shadow State.
• – Majoritarian Hindutva Ideology is operating behind the forceful homogenisation of this Country by all means, including Electiral politics and manipulation of Judiciary.
• – It may not be surprising if the Supreme Court of India declares that India is a Hindu State and thus reiterating the ideology of “ Hindu Rashtra”, Akanda Bharath and the rest of it. This Neo-Fascist Rule will get legitimised by Cultural Hegemony, including the Mainstream and Social Media in the days to come.
• In the process, it is possible that the Shadow State ( Deep State) will uncover itself and come up openly and thus merging with the formal State.
• This can be resisted only by launching a sustained Anti- Fascist Movement across the Sub- Continent, led by the working Class.

While the  clandestine operations of the Deep State is a concern for the Legal State, its more pernicious for the ordinary and freedom loving citizens, as it threatens the existence of democracy in every domain of our Society.

What is the discussion about emerging Deep State in India, which has become a threat for our Democracy?

The discussion about the emerging Deep State in India is a complex one, with a range of perspectives on the issue. Some argue that the Deep State, which refers to a network of unelected officials and institutions that operate outside of democratic oversight, is a serious threat to Indian democracy. They point to a number of factors, including:

• The increasing power and influence of the security establishment, particularly the intelligence agencies
• The erosion of civil liberties and the suppression of dissent
• The misuse of government institutions to target political opponents and minorities
• The growing nexus between the government and big business

Others argue that the Deep State is not a new phenomenon in India, and that it has played a role in the country’s history since independence. They point to the role of the bureaucracy in shaping government policy and the influence of the military in national security decision-making. However, they argue that the Deep State is not necessarily a threat to democracy, and that it can play a positive role in protecting the country’s interests.

There are a number of specific examples that have been cited as evidence of the growing power of the Deep State in India. These include:

• The arrest and detention of activists and journalists under draconian laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
• The use of surveillance and other repressive measures to target political opponents and minorities
• The interference of the security establishment in the electoral process
• The increasing influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, on government policy

The Deep State is a complex and controversial issue, and there is no easy answer to the question of whether it is a threat to Indian democracy. However, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of the Deep State, and to hold government institutions accountable to the people.

Here are some of the specific ways in which the Deep State can threaten democracy:

• It can undermine the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
• It can stifle dissent and suppress civil liberties.
• It can rig elections and manipulate public opinion.
• It can corrupt the political process and enrich itself at the expense of the people.
• It can lead to the establishment of an authoritarian regime.

It is important to note that the Deep State is not a monolithic entity. It is made up of a variety of different actors, including intelligence agencies, the military, the bureaucracy, and big business. These actors may have different agendas and motivations, but they can all work together to subvert democracy.

The best way to protect democracy from the Deep State is to strengthen democratic institutions, such as the judiciary, the free press, and civil society. It is also important to hold government officials accountable to the people and to promote transparency and accountability in government institutions.

How the Civil Society groups can bring in transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government Institutions?

Civil society groups can bring in transparency and accountability in the functioning of government institutions in a number of ways, including:

• Monitoring and reporting: Civil society groups can monitor the activities of government institutions and report on any irregularities or wrongdoing. This can be done through a variety of means, such as conducting research, filing information requests, and attending public meetings.
• Advocacy: Civil society groups can advocate for changes to laws and policies to promote transparency and accountability in government. This can be done through lobbying government officials, mobilizing public support, and raising awareness of the issue.
• Public education: Civil society groups can educate the public about their rights and how to hold government institutions accountable. This can be done through workshops, training programs, and online resources.
• Legal action: In some cases, civil society groups may file lawsuits to challenge government policies or actions that they believe are illegal or unjust. This can be an effective way to force government institutions to be more transparent and accountable.

Here are some specific examples of how civil society groups have brought transparency and accountability to government institutions in India:

• The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has worked to promote transparency in electoral politics by campaigning for disclosure of campaign funding and assets by politicians.
• The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) has worked to hold the government accountable for its implementation of rural development programs.
• The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has worked to protect civil liberties and human rights by documenting human rights abuses and advocating for reforms.
• Transparency International India has worked to reduce corruption by monitoring government procurement and contract processes.

Civil society groups play an important role in promoting transparency and accountability in government institutions. By monitoring and reporting on government activities, advocating for reforms, educating the public, and taking legal action, civil society groups can help to ensure that government institutions are accountable to the people.

It is important to note that the work of civil society groups can be challenging and dangerous. Governments that are hostile to transparency and accountability may try to intimidate or harass civil society activists. However, the work of civil society groups is essential to protecting democracy and ensuring transparency in the functioning of every Government Institution.

Compiled by Pon.Chandran from Anti- Fascist School, Coimbatore.

• SOURCES/ References:
• 1. “ The  Deep State”,- A History of Secret  Agendas and Shadow Governance.
• – the important Study  byIAN Fitzgerald.
• 2.The “ SILENT COUP” – A History of India’s Deep State by Jose Joseph.
• 3.Various Podcasts by “ Friends of Peoples’ Movements, a secret Radio, based somewhere in Sweden.
• 4 “ .RSS: – AGross  Danger” by Viduthalai Rajendran in Tamil.
•  5. “What is the Deep State?” A series of Podcasts from ‘Spotify’ and  with illustrations in ‘ You Tube’
• 6. Wikipedia on “ Network State” may also be referred which aspires to replace the “ Nation States”, in the present “ Digitised World of “ Network Society”, which has led to Surveillance Capitalism”.