Monday Musings: “Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair”: A Reflection on Politics in Our Times
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By Amitabh Srivastava, Edited by Adam Rizvi, The India Observer (TIO): Among the many quotations of William Shakespeare that came to mind on his birth anniversary last week, one stands out as particularly relevant today: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” from Macbeth.
As a student of literature, I understood these lines as a warning—an exploration of how unchecked ambition can corrupt judgment and morality. Shakespeare’s world showed how power, when pursued without restraint, could invert the natural order of right and wrong. Today, that inversion feels less like drama and more like reality.
Perhaps what is most striking is not the presence of such leaders, but how unsurprising they have become. The shock has faded; the abnormal now appears routine.
It may seem redundant to reflect on such themes at a time when global politics is already saturated with controversy, especially in the shadow of figures like Donald Trump. Yet, revisiting these ideas remains a way of understanding the deeper patterns shaping political life.
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There are fundamental differences between the political systems of the United States and India. In the U.S., electoral defeat often sidelines a party for years, limiting its influence until the next national contest. In contrast, India’s federal structure ensures a continuous political churn. Elections across states keep both ruling and opposition parties engaged, allowing for constant debate and ideological contestation.
This dynamic has long been one of India’s democratic strengths. However, since 2014—when the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a full parliamentary majority under Narendra Modi—there has been a perceptible shift toward what many describe as a permanent campaign mode.
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Earlier, governments led by the Indian National Congress often depended on coalitions such as the National Democratic Alliance, which required negotiation and compromise. Today, political competition appears more centralized and, at times, more aggressive.
Critics argue that this has led to an effort to expand dominance across states by all possible means, raising concerns about the health of democratic institutions.
The trajectory of the Aam Aadmi Party illustrates these tensions. Emerging from an anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare during the tenure of Manmohan Singh, the party quickly gained momentum. Under Arvind Kejriwal, it formed a government in Delhi, prioritizing reforms in education and healthcare that drew widespread attention.
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However, its rise has been accompanied by serious allegations of corruption. Investigations by agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate led to the arrest of key leaders, including Manish Sisodia. Supporters view these actions as politically motivated, while others see them as part of due process.
These competing narratives reflect a broader debate about the independence of institutions. Critics have expressed concern about pressure on bodies like the Election Commission of India, while the government maintains that institutions remain robust and impartial.
The outcomes of elections in key states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will therefore carry significance beyond regional politics. They may serve as indicators of how resilient India’s democratic framework remains amid intensifying political competition.
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In the end, Shakespeare’s insight continues to resonate. When moral clarity begins to blur—when what is fair appears foul, and what is foul appears fair—it becomes all the more essential for citizens to remain vigilant, engaged, and questioning.
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Curated by Humra Kidwai
