Background Guide

Agenda: Deliberation on the Socio-Economic Foundations of India with a Futuristic Vision for Viksit
Bharat 2047, with Special Emphasis on Press Freedom and Judicial Integrity
Committee: All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM)
Portfolio: Lalu Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Viksit Bharat 2047: Vision and Goals

3. Socio-Economic Foundations of India

 3.1 Economic Growth: Data and Trends

 3.2 Social Justice and Inclusion

 3.3 Technological Advancement

 3.4 Environmental Sustainability

 3.5 Historical Socio-Economic Challenges

4. Press Freedom in India

 4.1 Constitutional and Legal Framework

 4.2 Past Issues

 4.3 Present Challenges

 4.4 Strategies for Revitalization

5. Judicial Integrity in India

 5.1 Role of Judiciary

 5.2 Past Issues

 5.3 Present Challenges

 5.4 Reforms and Recommendations

6. The All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM)

7. Portfolio Analysis: Lalu Prasad Yadav and RJD

 7.1 Political Background

 7.2 Past and Present Issues with RJD

 7.3 Likely Stand in Committee

 7.4 Committee Dynamics: Allies and Opponents

8. Conclusion

9. References
1. Introduction

India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, is at a historic crossroads. As it approaches its
centenary of independence in 2047, the nation’s ambition is to become a global leader—
economically robust, socially just, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable. This
transformation is encapsulated in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Press freedom and judicial
integrity are foundational to this journey, ensuring accountability, transparency, and justice for all.

“This is the period in the history of India when the country is going to take a quantum leap… The
exam date has been declared for us as citizens of the country. We have 25 years of Amrit Kaal in
front of us. We have to work 24 hours a day.”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 2023

2. Viksit Bharat 2047: Vision and Goals

Government Vision

 Economic Growth: Targeting a $30 trillion economy by 2047, focusing on manufacturing,

services, and digital infrastructure.

 Social Empowerment: Inclusive growth for women, youth, farmers, and the underprivileged.

 Technological Leadership: Emphasis on AI, cloud technology, and digital public

infrastructure.

 Environmental Sustainability: Commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070 and green energy

expansion.

 Good Governance: Less government interference, more citizen empowerment, and efficient
public service delivery.

Key Pillars

 Yuva (Youth): Youth as both agents and beneficiaries of change.

 Garib (Poor): Social welfare schemes for poverty alleviation.

 Mahilayen (Women): Gender equality and women’s empowerment.

 Annadata (Farmers): Doubling farmers’ income and rural development.

 Sabka Prayas: Collective effort by all citizens and stakeholders.

“The roadmap of progress will not be decided by the government alone but by the nation. Viksit
Bharat has to be built only through Sabka Prayas.”
— PM Modi

Case Study: Digital Public Infrastructure

 India Stack: A set of APIs (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) enabling digital identity, payments, and
document storage.

 Impact: Over 800 million Indians use digital payments; UPI processes billions of transactions
monthly.

3. Socio-Economic Foundations of India

3.1 Economic Growth: Data and Trends

 GDP Growth:

 2024–25: 6.5% (fastest among major economies).

 Q4 FY2025: 7.4% (highest quarterly increase).

 World Bank (2025–26): 6.3% projected growth.

 Inflation: May 2025: 2.82% (lowest since 2019).

 Investment:

 Public and private investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and services at all-

time highs.

 FDI inflows reached $85 billion in 2024.

Challenges

 Slowing Growth: Down from 9.2% in 2024 due to global headwinds and monetary
tightening.

 Unemployment: Youth unemployment remains high (~17%).

 Regional Disparities: States like Bihar, UP lag behind Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka in per
capita income.

Bullet Points

 Exports: India’s merchandise exports crossed $450 billion in 2024.

 Start-ups: Over 100 unicorns, with $40 billion in annual venture funding.

 Poverty: 130 million people below the national poverty line.

3.2 Social Justice and Inclusion

 Affirmative Action: Reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC in education and jobs.

 Poverty Reduction:

 Multidimensional Poverty Index (2023): 415 million lifted out of poverty since 2005.

 Education:

 Literacy rate: 77.7% (2023), but rural-urban and gender gaps persist.

 NEP 2020 aims for 100% GER in school education by 2030.

 Healthcare:

 Ayushman Bharat covers 500 million people, but quality and access issues remain.

 Gender Equality:

 Women’s labor force participation: ~20%.

 Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign to improve gender ratios.

Case Study: Bihar’s Development Challenges

 Bihar:

 Per capita income: ₹50,735 (2023), lowest among states.

 Literacy rate: 70.9%, below national average.

 High out-migration due to lack of jobs and infrastructure.

3.3 Technological Advancement

 Digital India: 800+ million internet users; UPI processes over 10 billion transactions monthly.

 Skill India: 40 million youth trained since 2015.

 Case Study:

 Aadhaar: Over 1.3 billion enrolled; enables direct benefit transfers, reducing
leakages.

3.4 Environmental Sustainability

 Renewable Energy:

 180 GW installed capacity (2024); target: 500 GW by 2030.

 Climate Action:

 India’s NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) under Paris Agreement.

 Challenges:

 22 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities are in India.

 Water scarcity in 21 major cities by 2030 (NITI Aayog projection).

3.5 Historical Socio-Economic Challenges

 Colonial Legacy:

 India’s share of world GDP fell from 23% (1700) to 3% (1947).

 License Raj:

 1947–1991: Excessive regulation stifled entrepreneurship.

 Poverty and Inequality:

 1970s: Over 60% below poverty line; now ~10%.

 Economic Crises:

 1991: Balance of payments crisis led to liberalization.

4. Press Freedom in India

4.1 Constitutional and Legal Framework

 Article 19(1)(a): Guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

  Reasonable Restrictions: Security, public order, decency, contempt of court, defamation.

4.2 Past Issues

 Colonial Era:

 Vernacular Press Act (1878), Press Act (1910): Suppressed Indian voices.

 Emergency (1975–77):

 Censorship, arrests, and closure of newspapers.

 “The darkest hour of Indian democracy”—Kuldip Nayar, journalist.

Case Study: The Indian Express

 During the Emergency, The Indian Express published a blank editorial in protest against
censorship, symbolizing the stifling of free speech.

4.3 Present Challenges

 World Press Freedom Index (2025): India ranks 159th.

 Violence: Over 50 journalists attacked or killed in the past decade.

 Legal Harassment: Use of sedition, UAPA, and defamation laws to silence dissent.

 Corporate and Political Influence:

 Reliance on government advertising affects editorial independence.

 Self-Censorship: Fear of reprisal leads to muted coverage of sensitive issues.

Data

 Sedition Cases: Over 800 sedition cases filed between 2014–2024.

 Internet Shutdowns: India leads the world in frequency of government-imposed internet

shutdowns.

4.4 Strategies for Revitalization

 Legal Reforms: Amend or repeal colonial-era laws like sedition.

 Independent Regulators: Strengthen Press Council of India, create independent

ombudsman.

 Safety Protocols: Special protection for journalists in conflict zones.

5. Judicial Integrity in India

5.1 Role of Judiciary

 Supreme Court: Final interpreter of the Constitution.

 Public Trust: Judiciary is the last resort for protection of rights.

5.2 Past Issues

 Emergency and ADM Jabalpur Case:

  Supreme Court upheld suspension of habeas corpus; Justice H.R. Khanna’s dissent is
celebrated for upholding liberty.

 Corruption:

 Justice V. Ramaswami impeachment (1993); first and only judge impeached in

independent India.

 Opaque Appointments:

 Collegium system criticized for lack of transparency.

5.3 Present Challenges

 Backlog: Over 50 million cases pending in courts.

 Political Interference: Allegations of executive pressure in appointments and verdicts.

 Access to Justice: High legal costs and delays deter the poor.

Case Study: Judicial Delays

 Nirbhaya Case: Took over 7 years from crime to execution of verdict.

 Land Disputes: Average pendency of over 20 years in lower courts.

5.4 Reforms and Recommendations

 National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC): Struck down by Supreme Court in

2015, debate continues.

 Fast-Track Courts: Over 1,000 set up for sexual violence cases.

 Legal Aid: National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) provides free legal aid to the poor.

6. The All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM)

 Purpose: Platform for dialogue and consensus-building among political parties.

 Function: Informal, non-binding, but influential in shaping national policy.

7. Portfolio Analysis: Lalu Prasad Yadav and RJD

7.1 Political Background

 Lalu Prasad Yadav:

 Champion of social justice, OBC empowerment.

 Former Bihar CM, Union Railway Minister.

 RJD Ideology:

 Secularism, social equity, anti-communalism.

7.2 Past and Present Issues with RJD

Past Issues

 Fodder Scam:
  Embezzlement of ₹950 crore from animal husbandry funds; Lalu convicted and
jailed.

 “Jungle Raj”:

 1990s Bihar saw high crime rates, poor governance.

 Criminalization:

 Several RJD leaders with criminal backgrounds.

 Family Feuds:

 Public disputes between Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav.

Present Issues

 Land-for-Jobs Scam:

 Ongoing CBI/ED investigations against Lalu and family.

 Viral Controversies:

 2025 video controversy involving Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait.

 Alliance Tensions:

 Congress reluctance to back Tejashwi as CM face.

 Voter Base:

 Reliance on MY (Muslim-Yadav) vote bank; limited urban/youth appeal.

7.3 Likely Stand in Committee

 Social Justice:

 “RJD’s mission is to empower the last person in the queue—Dalits, OBCs, minorities,
and women.”

 Press Freedom:

 “A free press is the voice of the voiceless; we must protect it from all forms of
intimidation.”

 Judicial Integrity:

 “Justice delayed is justice denied. We need transparent appointments and fast-track

courts.”

 Inclusive Growth:

 “No state or community should be left behind in Viksit Bharat.”

7.4 Committee Dynamics: Allies and Opponents

Allies

 Congress: Pro-inclusion, secular, likely to support RJD on social justice and press freedom.
  Left Parties: Strong on social justice, judicial reforms.

 Regional Parties: TMC, DMK, SP, BSP, JDU—potential allies on federalism and minority
rights.

Opponents

 BJP: Will attack on corruption, governance record.

 Rival Regionals: May challenge RJD’s caste politics and leadership claims.

Who to Question

 BJP: On press/judicial freedom, centralization.

 **Any party supporting restrictive laws or undermining constitutional values.

Who Will Attack You

 BJP and allies: On corruption, “Jungle Raj,” family feuds.

 Some regionals: On limited appeal and alliance instability.

8. Conclusion

India’s journey to Viksit Bharat 2047 depends on inclusive growth, robust democratic institutions,
and the protection of fundamental freedoms. As Lalu Prasad Yadav, your focus should be on
championing social justice, defending press freedom, and advocating for judicial reforms—while
building alliances and defending your record with data, empathy, and a vision for all.