Parakala Prabhakar warns that Indian democracy is under threat as the Modi government peddles illusions of development. He calls for mass awareness and democratic struggles at the Jetti Sesha Reddy Memorial Seminar in Nellore.

Prominent economic and political analyst Parakala Prabhakar stated that democracy in the country is under threat and that it is the responsibility of all conscious citizens to create awareness among people, who are increasingly unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, and prepare them for democratic struggles.

He was speaking at the 18th Dr Jetti Sesha Reddy Memorial Seminar, organised in Nellore on the theme, “Viksit Bharat: Illusions and Reality.”

Addressing the gathering, Prabhakar alleged that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been creating an illusion of national development through false claims and propaganda. “The government projects an image that everything is excellent and that India is shining. However, the ground reality is entirely different,” he said.

According to him, meaningful development is absent in key sectors such as industry, science, education, healthcare, and agriculture. He argued that the government's policies have weakened the country's youth, whom he described as the backbone of the nation.

“At this critical juncture, those who follow the ideals of Jetti Sesha Reddy must come out of their homes and workplaces and organise people for struggles. Merely sitting in front of computers is not enough,” he said. He warned that the freedoms to speak, dissent, and protest could come under greater threat in the future.

Prabhakar recalled that concerns about the erosion of freedom of expression had been raised even in the early years of independent India. He observed that the current situation is far more serious and cited a recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on skill development programmes as evidence of systemic failures.

He pointed out that although official claims suggest that 6.1 million people received skill training, the records contain numerous discrepancies, including missing names, duplicate entries, and inaccurate data. As an example, he noted that some records showed 18-year-olds receiving driving training, raising questions about the reliability of the data.

Criticising the government for presenting inflated figures instead of effectively training and employing unemployed youth, he remarked that India possesses one of the largest workforces in the world but is failing to utilise its human resources effectively. “Instead of becoming a model of development, the country risks becoming known for scams and manipulated statistics,” he said.

He further stated that while between 65 and 80% of young people in countries such as the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and South Korea receive vocational training and employment opportunities, only a small percentage of Indian youth benefit from such programmes. Although official reports claim that 95% of youth have been trained, a closer examination of the records suggests otherwise, he said. He added that the Central Government has failed to fully utilise the country's available workforce and emphasised the seriousness of youth unemployment.

Prabhakar stressed that contemporary society has a pressing need to carry forward the ideals of Dr. Jetti Sesha Reddy, particularly his belief that questioning authority and collective struggle are essential tools for addressing social problems.

The seminar was presided over by senior doctors of the Public Health Forum (Praja Arogya Vedika), led by Dr. Ajay Kumar.

Renowned writer and scientist Dr Devaraju Maharaj, speaking on the theme “Modern India and the Scientific Temper,” said that India possesses a rich historical legacy, but attempts are being made by the present rulers to erase significant parts of that history. He called upon citizens to resist such efforts.

Dr. Maharaj observed that India, which once contributed significantly to scientific knowledge and progress, is increasingly witnessing the promotion of unscientific ideas. He attributed this trend to the policies of those currently in power. Recalling the developmental initiatives undertaken during the tenure of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre is attempting to diminish his contributions to nation-building. “History cannot be erased. Facts remain visible for everyone to see,” he asserted.

UTF State Secretary Navakoteswara Rao presided over the meeting. Former MLCs Balasubrahmanyam and Dr. Rajeshwara Rao, Praja Vedika State President and noted physician Dr. Narayana Rao, JS Trust Chairman Rajagopal, and UTF State leader Satish Kumar also participated in the programme.

At the beginning of the seminar, floral tributes were paid to the portrait of Dr. Jetti Sesha Reddy.