India – A Social Revolution is an urgent imperative

There have been reports highlighting India’s low-slung ranking in several economic freedom indexes. India is ranked 128th in the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom. India’s ranking in the poverty index is a matter of serious concern too. According to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), India ranks 111th out of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, behind even war-torn nations like Sudan and Afghanistan. This ranking is based on various indicators, including nutrition, child mortality, education, and standard of living. The truth is simply this. No revolution can succeed on empty stomachs or mere lentil-heavy diets. Over 35% of Indian children under five suffer from stunting, and 32% of women of reproductive age are underweight—a crisis that spans generations. It’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: without access to affordable, nutritious meat, the oppressed lack the strength to fight oppression. 

Coupled with the above, there is a strikingly contrasting claim. According to this, India is the 5th largest economy globally and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.  As of April 5, 2025, India’s economy is the fifth-largest by nominal GDP and is projected to be the third-largest by 2027, with a robust growth outlook despite global uncertainties, driven by strong domestic demand and a resilient services sector. The government’s prediction of 6.4% growth is realistic, but those would remain a statistical utopia unless competing factors are resolved. If private sector investment increases, India’s growth could go even higher, but if businesses remain cautious, the economy could slow down to 5.5%. Either way, the rich will stay comfortable and more and more numbers will evaporate into the categories of the impoverished. The middle class will disperse into the grouping of the lower classes, the lower classes will grow into poverty, and the poor will be degraded into utter poverty and starvation.

As a comment from the news service ‘Counter currents’ put it aptly and succinctly: “India’s marginalized communities have been denied not just rights and dignity, but also the most basic fuel for resistance: protein. Centuries of caste-based dietary restrictions, religious taboos, and economic deprivation have left millions malnourished, physically weak, and politically disempowered”.

Take a look at some indices showing India’s rankings: 
134^th in Human Development Index (HDI)

107th in Global Hunger Index (GHI)

126^th in World Happiness Report

Many in the privileged segments of society, including those in the ruling party, will simply rubbish this claim with the illogical and outlandish contention that the pedals of arriving at the deductions were illogically constructed.  

The challenges to the country obviously lie on both ends of the spectrum. In 2023, a Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) reported that India had lifted 415 million people out of poverty between 2005-2006 and 2019-2021. This progress, it is claimed, is a result of concerted efforts and effective policies implemented by the government. For instance, in the Economic and Business Rankings, India ranks 5th in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 1st in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Which independent body will be allowed to audit these claims and tag the real truth. India’s ranking can vary across different indices. For, as long as the policy makers operate on settings of false hopes and claims, and exaggerated claims, we are prone to invite greater disaster to our social structures than what we already have. 

For those who work with any category of marginalized communities, and are on the streets as community organizers, recognize that government boasts about progress obfuscate the truth in the most blatant ways possible. Without being cynical, one can safely claim that there is a massive mistruth behind these claims. It makes real the adage: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Those who want to see real development, rubbish these claims of government, and seek a paradigm of economic growth that prompts distributive justice. It is time to hold up a mirror to our appearances, and elect whether we will be a mirror of what we see or develop a model of what we want to be.    

Poverty is a social fact. It has a tendency to be malignant and grows in leaps and bounds. To continue reducing poverty, India needs to focus on addressing deprivations in nutrition, education, and standard of living, particularly in rural areas and among vulnerable populations like children. The structure of the Indian economy hands access to a privileged few. In comparison to population categories, the middle class serve the mighty rich, and live with the crumbs from under their tables which may be okay for the qualified. It means that out of 1.43 crore Indians, at least one crore must live with tightened belts. Many must go to sleep at night hungry on pavements, market places, and roadsides where the drunken affluent even drive over them and get away with legal pardon for their criminalities. This happens day after day, and the political class simply refuse to fix the structures of poverty and injustice that allow this. They dabble with simplistic laws and policies that contain a generous sprinkling of loopholes to let the rich get by.

More welfare will not come remotely close to creating solutions. And charity will only guarantee that the poor live devoid of dignity and access to opportunities. From the most influential level of government, there needs to be a strategy that is driven to development which produces distributive economics. Justice and justice alone is the formula which can create an equitable society. For now, India lives an existence, where the social divisions are filled with gaps where bridges seem impossible. It will take creative approaches to abandoning poverty, underdevelopment, and deprivation.    

In every annual budget, the finance minister presents a catalogue of policies that camouflage the real intent behind the budget- to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer. The generous minded government party supporter refuses to name the evil and is content that they can break-even and even manage some savings for vacations, parties in posh places, and interesting holidays. There they are served by the poor and disadvantaged who make them happy while they themselves live in gloom live i9n discontent.  

Let’s take some obvious facts that underline the severity that characterises the Indian economic condition.

1. India’s unemployment rate has been a concern, especially after COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue.
2. India’s industrial production has been sluggish, impacting the country’s economic growth.
3. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which is a crucial job creator, has been struggling due to lack of access to credit and markets.

In terms of economic challenges there are major issues that are tremendously understated: 

1. India’s economic growth has been accompanied by rising income inequality, with the top 10% of the population holding over 50% of the national income.
2. Despite the government’s claims of low unemployment rates, many experts argue that the actual numbers are much higher, especially among youth and in rural areas.
3. India’s public debt has been rising, and the fiscal deficit remains a concern, which could impact the country’s long-term economic stability, although short term effects are beginning to show.

With regards to social and human development concerns

1. Despite progress in reducing poverty, many Indians still struggle to access basic necessities like food, healthcare, and education.
2. India’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical professionals, and high out-of-pocket expenses.
3. While enrolment rates have improved, the quality of education in India remains a concern, with many schools lacking basic infrastructure and qualified teachers.

On the question of environmental and climate change Issues

1. India struggles with severe air and water pollution, which has significant impacts on public health and the environment.
2. India is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

In the sphere of Governance and Institutional Challenges

1. Corruption remains a significant challenge in India, with many citizens experiencing bribery and corruption in their daily lives.
2. India’s institutions, including the judiciary, parliament, and bureaucracy, face challenges related to efficiency, accountability, and transparency.

India’s economic growth has been accompanied by rising income inequality, with the top 10% of the population holding over 50% of the national income. Despite the government’s claims of low unemployment rates, many experts argue that the actual numbers are much higher, especially among youth and in rural areas.

India’s public debt has been rising, and the fiscal deficit remains a concern, which could impact the country’s economic stability.

The farming sector is in deep crisis. Count the appalling number of farmer suicides. Those who feed us often die of hunger. Farmers should be able to avail of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) which must, of necessity, be a crucial aspect of India’s agricultural policy, aiming to protect farmers from sudden price drops. The government announces MSPs for 22 major crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops, at the beginning of each planting season. MSP is calculated based on factors like production costs, price adjustments for inputs, parity in input-output costs, and changes in market values. The government’s decision to raise MSPs for the 2024-25 marketing season aims to ensure fair pricing for farmers’ produce.

There is an alarming feature here. The trend of big corporations, like Reliance, making their entry into agro-trade and potentially dominating the market will have exceeding implications for small farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. Some concerns associated with this trend include:

Large corporations already exert significant control over the market, potentially leading to unfair trade practices and squeezing out smaller players. This will result in market concentration.  Big corporations use their bargaining power to dictate prices, leaving farmers with limited negotiating power and potentially low returns. For example, Reliance’s foray into agro-trade is a significant development, given the company’s vast resources and reach. While Reliance may bring efficiency and scale to the sector, it’s essential to ensure that the interests of small farmers and rural communities are protected. The increasing dominance of big corporations in agro-trade could lead to the displacement of small farmers and rural communities, threatening their livelihoods.

Today, India has evolved into an oligarchy and this is a serious concern. Oligarchy concentrates power in the hands of a few individuals or groups. A handful of individuals will control the levers of economy. This leads to:

1. Crony capitalism which is the close relationship between politicians, bureaucrats, and business leaders that prompts and perpetuates favouritism and corruption.
2. India’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and families, perpetuating economic inequality.

Discrimination and exclusion are rapidly mounting. Lower castes face systemic discrimination, exclusion, and violence. The caste system perpetuates a rigid social hierarchy, limiting social mobility. Caste influences access to education, employment, and economic opportunities. Caste and class are a deadly cocktail. To deconstruct this will require a massive people’s movement where people will adopt peaceful, yet uncompromising demands, until justice is done. The reality is that once challenged the law enforcement will resort to violence to suppress peoples protests. We saw that during the Farmers protests just a few years ago. The memories are chilling. Yet, not a single police crime has been punished. After all, they are defending the rich and politically powerful from resistance to injustice.  

Similarly religious tensions between different religious groups are fuelled by communalism fuels tensions and violence. In essence, the more influential religious groups want to dominate economics. So much so, that we can be convinced that social power is equal to utter scarcity. Communalism is often used to mobilize support and create divisions along religious lines. Institutions, including law enforcement and the judiciary, also perpetuate communal biases. Civil society Movements must examine how it impacts on their communities, promote education and awareness and foster inclusive policies that amplify the voices and struggles of marginalized communities.

Issues of Women and poverty are closely intertwined, with women disproportionately affected by poverty. The girl child and women in distress face numerous challenges globally, with patriarchy being a significant contributing factor to the injustice they experience. The girl child faces discrimination even before birth, with low status reflected in the denial of fundamental needs and rights. An estimated 450 million adult women in developing countries are stunted due to childhood protein-energy malnutrition. The practice of female genital mutilation affects millions of girls and women worldwide.

India has a skewed sex ratio, with only 918 girls per 1,000 boys, according to the 2011 census. The country has seen a decline in the number of girls in the 0-6 age group, particularly in northern states like Haryana and Punjab. Despite progress, women in India continue to face challenges like dowry, domestic violence, and limited access to education and employment. This leaves them destitute. Owing to patriarchy and the injustice that accompanies it, women often face barriers to education and job opportunities, making it harder to escape poverty. Women bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, such as childcare and household chores, which can prevent them from pursuing paid work. Women often have limited control over land, property, and other assets, making it harder to access credit and other resources. Women living in poverty are more vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and trafficking.

Empowerment of vulnerable women must happen through providing women with access to education and skills training can help them secure better-paying jobs and improve their economic prospects. Also, by promoting women’s entrepreneurship and supporting women’s entrepreneurship through access to credit, markets, and other resources can help them start and grow their own businesses.

The catalogue of injustices is many more than what has been detailed above. There’s many more hidden in skeleton-filled cupboards. But we cannot abdicate hope and love- the two common denominators for a just world. A drastic change in culture is not only inevitable, but a social and economic stipulation. Indians w2ill do well to reclaim their constitutional rights. That calls on us to being a Sovereign, Socialist Secular Democratic Republic” whose end-goal is to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all its citizens.

Imagine a socialistic paradigm claiming power through a shock-election victory in the democratic space. If solutions were pursued with justice as the basis, the solutions exist despite a more-than-likely push-back from hard-nosed capitalists who will not part with power voluntarily. Yet, the common people are large in numbers and finally, the people must self-liberate while sacrificing their sense of despondency. A determined social revolution for justice must first be peaceful, and resist the violence that the powers-that-be will inflict on them. We would then witness Inclusive economic growth, Increased transparency and accountability in governance, Support for MSMEs and entrepreneurship, and Progressive policies to address wealth inequality.

Power will not part with power and privilege voluntarily. It will do so only under pressure and mass mobilization. If tough colonial masters could be thrown out from their colonies by the common masses, surely, the privileged can be pushed into submission. Caste, and class can be relegated from being subjects of domination to a pattern of human living where people are accountable to the high principles underlined in the preamble to the Constitution. 

Ranjan Solomon is a political commentator