Prashant Bhushan Critiques One Nation, One Election as Unconstitutional and Impractical

Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer and activist, criticised the concept of one nation, one election. He described it as impractical and unconstitutional within a parliamentary democracy. Bhushan spoke at the Parwana Oration 2024, organised by the Comrade H L Parwana Memorial Trust, where he discussed economic democracy in India. He also praised recent Supreme Court rulings that halted lawsuits concerning religious sites and addressed bulldozer justice.

Bhushan explained that simultaneous elections are unfeasible because a government must maintain the confidence of the majority in the House. He questioned what would happen if a government falls due to party splits or defections. "You cannot impose President's rule there," he noted, emphasising the need for fresh elections to uphold democratic principles.

Supreme Court Rulings and Economic Inequality

The Supreme Court recently issued guidelines against bulldozer justice, stating that no property should be demolished without prior notice. Affected parties must receive 15 days to respond. Additionally, the court has temporarily halted lawsuits seeking to reclaim religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. Bhushan highlighted these developments as significant steps forward.

Bhushan also addressed economic inequality in India, noting that a small number of families hold more wealth than half of the country's population combined. He argued for progressive taxation to address this disparity. "Maximum personal income tax in India is around 35 per cent," he said, suggesting it is lower than in many capitalist countries.

Criticism of Government Policies

Responding to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement about imposing an 18 per cent GST on used car sales margins, Bhushan called for its removal. "I don't know whether she misunderstood what the scheme is," he remarked, predicting it would be struck down in court if implemented.

Bhushan dismissed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's claim that pro-urban Naxal groups supported Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra as baseless. "They call any dissenter urban Naxalite," he commented, criticising such labelling of dissenters.

He further advocated for inheritance tax and criticised recent reductions in corporate tax rates. Bhushan urged the government to ensure citizens have access to basic necessities like food, education, healthcare, and shelter. He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between economic and political democracy.

In recent months, several judgements have curtailed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) powers. Bhushan noted that the ED had become a tool for harassing opposition leaders and activists under the guise of money laundering investigations. These rulings have been seen as a check on such misuse of power.

Bhushan concluded by questioning whether India's political democracy truly reflects public opinion. He suggested that more could be done to reduce economic inequality through measures like progressive wealth tax and inheritance tax.