From Vote Chori to Rath Chori: A Systematic Undermining of Indian Institutions

From Vote Chori to Rath Chori: A Systematic Undermining of Indian Institutions

We have seen, as highlighted by the leader of the opposition, how the ruling government has been accused of vote chori (electoral theft). The methods may differ, but the intent remains the same. For the people of Bihar, this may feel familiar — or it may not. This isn’t their fault; over generations, they have been conditioned to accept such realities as part of political life.

But the real issue today is not vote chori. It is something far deeper — rath chori.

The rath (chariot) has always held a deep fascination for Sanatanis. It was the first symbol they weaponized during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, where the political war cries began with a Rath Yatra that swept across the country. This wasn’t just a journey — it was a spectacle of mobilization and polarization.

That weaponization of the Rath Yatra also carried with it an implicit clarion call: to overthrow the Indian Constitution, which had stood as a beacon of welfare, justice, and equality for millions. But their plans went astray. The Constitution survived, and it became firmly entrenched as the supreme law of the land.

However, having tasted the power of using the rath as a political weapon, these forces have now shifted to what can only be described as Rath Chori. They have hijacked the Constitutional chariot that carried the message of peace, justice, and welfare.

In truth, the rath that carries the Indian Constitution today is its institutions — the judiciary, the legislature, the media, and other pillars of democracy. Rath Chori is, therefore, nothing less than the systematic capture of these institutions.

Unfortunately, the Indian Constitution does not clearly spell out what must be done when the very system meant to protect it is used to undermine it. This institutional capture — this Rath Chori — represents the gravest threat to our democracy yet.