In recent times so many politicians from opposition parties, along with some pseudo seculars have started saying that PM Narendra Modi is behaving like a dictator, which is not good for our country. I really fail to understand in which way PM is behaving like a dictator. If you want to see what is dictatorship then all these people should visit those countries which are ruled by dictator, like North Korea. The laws there are such that you dread how the North Korean lead their normal life in their country. Some of the North Korean laws are described below, which are to be even followed by ruler King Jong Un’s wife.
1 Foreign movies, songs not allowed- Watching foreign movies or listening to foreign music can send North Korean citizens to jail. In 2015 on King Jong Un’s order all tapes and CDs were destroyed. Distributing pornography can lead to death penalty. There are only 3 govt controlled channels on North Korean TV.
2 Making International call is crime.
3 Disloyalty to leader can mean death penalty-Falling asleep during a meeting with King Jong un is considered disloyalty and may also lead to death.
4 Three Generation punishment-If anyone commits crime in North Korea, not only he or she will be punished, but also their grandparents, parents and children.
5 Only govt approved haircuts- All men and women can only do one of 28 govt approved haircuts, 10 for men and 18 for women. The list do not include King Jong un’s hairstyle because he wanted to keep it unique, so no one dare to copy his hairstyle.
6 Permission needed to live in the national capital- The ruler wants only the most successful, wealthy and influential people to live in North Korea’s capital Pyongyang.
7 Students required to pay for their own desks and chairs- The school fees do not cover this.
8 Bible is banned in North Korea- the Bible is considered a symbol of western culture.
9 No iPhones or laptops- No iphones, TVs and laptops from the western countries are permitted.
10 Strict Custom rules-If you are a tourist, customs check all your music, film, and written materials, and only then you will be allowed into the country.
11 Prison camps in North Korea- It is believed that about 200,000 North Koreans live in these camps. They were arrested for alleged political crimes. For committing political crime, your entire family will be interned. If a prisoner manages to escape his entire family will be killed.
12 Different Calendar- North Korea has a different calendar called the Juche calendar. It begins on 15th April 1912 the birth date of their dear revolutionary leader Kim II Sung.
13 Only one leader to vote in the election- In the election, all the citizens above 17 mandatorily have to vote in the elections. They have only 1 option to vote for. As a result 100% of Koreans vote for their dear leader.
14 Kim II Sung is their only true leader- He was the first leader of North Korea after the communist revolution, died long ago. That’s why his son and now grandson are able to take the reins so easily after the death of his predecessor.
15 No Marijuana law- A country that is extremely conservative has no drug problems. It is illegal to use, sell or possess marijuana. Nevertheless, marijuana grows along the roads completely freely, therefore, if suddenly someone from the local area wants to take advantage of this opportunity, he can do it very calmly.
16 Insult to Kim and his family considered blasphemy- All North Koreans who live under Kim Jong un’s rule must swear loyalty and obedience to him, his family and the state.
17 Not allowed to leave the country-You may wonder why North Koreans, faced with such dire laws, do not flee. And they can’t. Anyone who crosses the border without official documents will be shot by guards.
18 Strict rules for tourists- Any tourist who enter the country is closely monitored by the govt throughout the trip. Each tourist is assigned a guide who accompanies him throughout. If someone leaves the group or tries to talk to local, they will be arrested. Tourists are taken only to cetain places and along certain routes.
19 Military service is compulsory- It is compulsory for all, 10 years for men and 7 years for women.
20 Power cut every night- North Koreans face power cut every night due to energy crisis in the country, and for using electricity need permission and owning a microwave is illegal.
Now, if any of the above or similar law is faced by an Indian citizen, then for what reason PM Narendra Modi is called dictator. I think his distracters do not know the meaning of real dictatorship.
What is your say on this matter.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
15th December 2021v
Tejinder Singh Sethi
No Modi is not a dictator nor is he becoming a demagogue. Modi is still a legitimate right wing politician who is PM by virtue of democratic elections.