And, finally, as consumers, scrolling relentlessly through digital platforms to snatch discounted mobiles or televisions in the week-long ‘Republic Day Sale’. Alongside, we can gauge here the complete dominance of the constituted governing power (State institutions) over the constituent sovereign power of the people. First, let us come to our public institutions: schools, hospitals, sanitation and transportation, among others. It would be fair to say that barring states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Indian public institutions would rank among the worst in the world. The BJP and the Congress share the same penchant for the technocratic depoliticisation of public institutions.

Source: The Telegraph January 17, 2026 02:27 UTC