India deserves an opposition with ideas, not rhetoric and noise

Indian politics today suffers from a crisis of logic. Debate has been replaced by denial, and outrage has become the new ideology. The opposition, trapped in its echo chambers, confuses anger with argument and rhetoric with relevance.

Instead of offering ideas, it indulges in selective outrage and double standards — loud on ideology, silent on hypocrisy. From its silence on Bengal’s crimes against women to its skewed moral posturing on global issues, it has lost both credibility and connect.

Democracy needs dissent, but dissent anchored in reason, not rage. Until the opposition learns to engage with facts, ideas, and empathy, it will keep losing not because democracy is dying — but because logic in Indian politics is dead

Indian politics today suffers from an overdose of rhetoric and a severe shortage of reason. Instead of persuasion through logic, we hear constant outrage, misplaced moral grandstanding, and echo-chamber sloganeering. The opposition, in particular, has reduced debate to denial — refusing to see what the people actually want and instead clinging to tired tropes of victimhood and fear.

This refusal to evolve is costing it dearly. The Indian voter today is discerning — valuing performance over posturing and substance over slogans. Yet, the opposition seems trapped in a time warp, mistaking aggression for articulation and cynicism for ideology. The result is political fatigue, not public faith.

Over the past few years, the opposition has increasingly mistaken noise for narrative. Instead of offering credible policy alternatives or issue-based arguments, it is relying on rhetoric, victimhood, and borrowed outrage. Its frustration over repeated electoral defeats now reflects in its tone — shrill, reactionary, and divorced from ground realities.Rhetoric can stir emotions, but only logic can sustain credibility. India’s political opposition must rediscover the power of reason before it fades into irrelevance.

Democracy needs dissent — but dissent anchored in logic, not anger. India’s political debate must return to ideas, evidence, and intelligent engagement as it used to be till late 1980s. A strong and sensible opposition is not a threat to democracy; it is its finest safeguard. Until the opposition learns to argue with facts instead of fury, it will keep losing not just elections but the people’s respect.

The Hypocrisy of Selective Outrage should end if opposition has to gain credibility among the voters. The opposition’s hatred of Prime Minister Modi should not blind it to realities or push it into double standards. Their rhetoric of “nothing good happening in India” betrays frustration and hypocrisy.

Consider the Congress Working Committee’s statement supporting the Palestinian cause while remaining silent on the brutal Hamas attack on Israel that killed nearly 3,000 civilians. The resolution endorsed the “Palestinian right to land and dignity” but avoided condemning terrorism. Is this genuine concern or a cynical attempt to appease a minority vote bank?

Equally glaring is the silence over women’s safety in West Bengal. Under TMC rule, multiple incidents — from the 2013 Kamduni rape and murder to the Sandeshkhali sexual exploitation scandal and the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College — expose systemic rot. Now, an Odia medical student has been allegedly gang-raped outside a private college. Yet, neither Mamata Banerjee nor Congress leaders like Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have spoken up.

In 2013 a 20-year-old student in Kamduni village, North 24 Parganas, was gang-raped and murdered on her way home. The case led to widespread outrage and protests over the safety of women.

Women in Sandeshkhali accused local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders of land-grabbing and sexual exploitation. Victims alleged that they were routinely called to the TMC party office at night and sexually exploited, a situation that reportedly continued for a long time. In 2024, a trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital was found raped and murdered inside the premises. Now we have the unfortunate incident of an Odia medical student being allegedly gang-raped outside a private medical college.

Mamata who was very vocal and said “Do not play with fire,” in regard to the proposed special intensive revision of electoral rolls and exhibited her concern for her vote bank, did not even bother to call on the victim of the recent gang rape. Instead, she gave sermons saying hostels should take responsibility. How did the girl go out at 12.30 at night she questioned. It seems her officers did not brief her properly. According to the father of the girl she went out at 8.30 pm.

There is not a word of condemnation from her party leaders including MPs.The leaders who sermonise on women’s rights elsewhere suddenly lose their voice when it comes to their political allies and this includes Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rahul to Karnataka ministers are vociferous in demanding ban of RSS but have no empathy for the Desh ki Beti. Even the TMC’s vocal MPs, who lecture others on gender equality, have chosen convenient quietude.

Contrast this with the opposition’s vocal outburst over the death of a senior IPS officer in Haryana. Rahul Gandhi swiftly framed it as an attack on Dalits — sending a “message” to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. A new twist in the case came up even as Rahul Gandhi was visiting the family. An ASI shot himself after recording his suicide video saying the IPS officer was facing corruption charges and there was no caste element in his suicide. Whatever the reason be, a fair probe is indeed essential and truth needs to come out.But what worries any logical thinker is why doesn’t the same moral outrage extend to Bengal’s rape victims? Why so much “Mamata” for Mamata?

The hypocrisy is glaring. Blinking at the first step of moving out Haryana DGP, Rahul Gandhi said the suicide indicates attack on Dalits and he would not accept it.Fine but why is he silently accepting the incident of gang rape in West Bengal? Why did he not send any message to Mamata Banerjee, who is also Bengal’s Home Minister. Neither she nor Rahul has met the victim’s family. The father of the Odia medical student has publicly said he found only apathy, not justice.

Even as medical reports reveal horrific injuries, the state leadership prefers denial and deflection. Instead of addressing law and order, the Chief Minister blames women for stepping out after dark. Opposition ducks the issue saying such incidents were happening in BJP ruled states as well. This is really shameful explanation. Crime is crime, irrespective of which party rules the state. Excuses cannot substitute for justice.

Opposition leaders must realise that anger is not argument, and loudness is not leadership. Constant negativity, selective outrage, and political theatre may earn headlines, but they alienate the very people whose trust they seek.

India deserves an opposition that challenges with ideas, not insults; with reason, not rage. Until that happens, it will keep losing — not because democracy is dying or the Constitution is in danger, but because logic in Indian politics is dead.

(The author is a former Chief Editor at The Hans India)