At the same time, this architecture of suspicion can work only on the presupposition that citizens trust institutions: I trust that institutions will function appropriately under pressure of suspicion and scrutiny. The Court is aware that there is a trust deficit and also aware that trust is central to its constitutional prestige. Today, in the absence of reliable data about the current moment, we choose to be oblivious to the far-reaching implications of the trust deficit. These characteristics not only produce distrust between government and Opposition, they in fact welcome the trust deficit. The puzzle of trust deficit becomes clearer when we realise that under the above characteristics, we are witnessing a decade-long suspension of disbelief.

Source: Indian Express March 20, 2026 00:56 UTC