According to the Gallup Global Emotions Report and other related studies, India ranks 9th among the countries with the most sad, aggressive, and angry citizens. Here are the top ten countries on this list:
- Lebanon: Struggling with severe economic and political crises, a significant portion of the population lives in poverty and struggles to afford basic necessities like food and medicine.
- Turkey: Economic turmoil and recent natural disasters have exacerbated the public’s anger, fueled by controversial fiscal policies and a rapidly devaluing currency.
- Armenia: Political instability and economic challenges contribute to high levels of frustration.
- Iraq: Continuous conflict and lack of stability since the 2003 invasion have left citizens in a state of perpetual distress.
- Afghanistan: Long-term conflict, political instability, and poor living conditions make life incredibly challenging for its people.
- Jordan: Economic difficulties and political issues drive significant public dissatisfaction.
- Mali: Political unrest and violence contribute to high levels of public anger.
- Sierra Leone: Economic hardships and political instability have led to widespread frustration.
- India: High levels of frustration stem from systemic failures across various sectors, including the judiciary, political system, and basic amenities.
- Iran: Economic sanctions, political repression, and economic difficulties lead to significant public anger.
India, a country of over a billion people, is often lauded for its cultural diversity, economic potential, and democratic framework. However, behind this facade of progress and prosperity lies a deeply frustrated populace, seething with anger and resentment. Indians are increasingly annoyed, frustrated, and aggressive due to a multitude of systemic failures that permeate every aspect of their lives. This article provides a scathing critique of the legal system, political apparatus, executionary mechanisms, safety, healthcare, education, and basic amenities, revealing how every pillar of democracy seems designed to exploit the common man, turning them into a punching bag for the state’s inefficiencies and corruption.
Judiciary: A Collapsing Pillar
The Indian judiciary, once revered as the protector of rights and justice, has become a major source of frustration and despair. The sheer volume of pending cases, exceeding 40 million as of 2024, has rendered the justice system almost non-functional. People seeking justice find themselves trapped in an endless maze of court dates, adjournments, and procedural delays. The judiciary’s failure is epitomized by cases like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, where victims have been awaiting justice for nearly four decades. The glacial pace at which the judiciary operates not only denies timely justice but also subjects victims to continuous harassment and mental agony. It is not uncommon for litigants to die before their cases are resolved, leaving their families in a perpetual state of grief and injustice.
Politics and Politicians: The True Parasites
Indian politics is synonymous with corruption, nepotism, and a blatant disregard for the common citizen. Politicians treat Indians as mere vote banks and tax ATMs, with no concern for their rights or welfare. Elections are reduced to a farce, with grand promises made only to be broken once votes are secured. Politicians focus solely on enriching themselves and their cronies, with the common man left to bear the brunt of their misdeeds. The infamous 2G spectrum scam, where politicians and bureaucrats looted the exchequer of billions, and the Vyapam scam, involving widespread corruption in recruitment and admissions, highlight the systemic rot. These scams expose how politicians exploit public resources for personal gain, fueling public anger and disillusionment.
Civil Servants: The New Age Feudal Lords
Civil servants in India, meant to serve the public, often act as new-age feudal lords. They exhibit an attitude of superiority, treating citizens with disdain and disrespect. The process of meeting a civil servant for any issue has become an arduous task, fraught with bureaucratic red tape and indifference. Whether it’s obtaining a simple document or addressing a grievance, the common man is met with arrogance and apathy. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the extent of bureaucratic ineptitude, with critical oxygen supplies delayed due to red tape, resulting in needless deaths. This callous attitude not only alienates the public but also deepens the chasm between the state and its citizens, perpetuating a cycle of frustration and anger.
Inflation: The Silent Killer
Inflation in India has been a persistent and silent killer, eroding the purchasing power of the common man. The prices of essential commodities like food, fuel, and healthcare have skyrocketed, making everyday life increasingly unaffordable. Despite working tirelessly, many Indians find it difficult to make ends meet. The government’s inability to control inflation adds to the frustration, as people see their hard-earned money losing value rapidly. This economic instability creates a pervasive sense of insecurity and resentment among the populace, who feel betrayed by a state that fails to safeguard their economic well-being.
Unemployment: The Bane of the Youth
Unemployment, especially among the youth, is a critical issue contributing to societal frustration. Despite having one of the largest youth populations in the world, India struggles to provide adequate employment opportunities. The unemployment rate among the educated youth is alarmingly high, leading to a pervasive sense of hopelessness and discontent. Graduates with degrees in engineering, management, and other fields often end up in menial jobs, if they find employment at all. This crisis of underemployment and unemployment fuels anger and aggression among the younger generation, who feel their potential is being wasted in a system that offers no opportunities for growth or advancement.
Lack of Basic Necessities: A Stark Reality
Despite paying some of the highest taxes in the world, Indians are deprived of basic necessities. Good roads, safe drinking water, quality healthcare, and education remain elusive for many. Public infrastructure is in a deplorable state, with pothole-ridden roads, frequent power outages, and inadequate sanitation facilities. The healthcare system is overburdened and underfunded, leading to tragic consequences. The death of several children in Uttar Pradesh due to the lack of oxygen in hospitals is a grim reminder of this systemic failure. Similarly, the education system is plagued with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, poorly trained teachers, and outdated curricula, leaving students ill-prepared for the future. This chronic neglect of basic necessities creates a sense of deprivation and frustration among the masses, who see their tax money being squandered on grandiose projects that have little impact on their daily lives.
High Taxes: Burden Without Benefits
The high taxation rates in India are a constant source of frustration. Despite paying substantial taxes, citizens do not see corresponding benefits in terms of public services and infrastructure. The tax system is perceived as unfair and exploitative, with a significant portion of the revenue lost to corruption and mismanagement. The lack of transparency and accountability in how tax money is spent further aggravates the situation. This disconnect between taxation and public benefit erodes trust in the government and fuels public anger. The collapse of the Morbi bridge in Gujarat, due to poor maintenance and corruption, resulting in the death of over 140 people, is a tragic testament to this systemic failure.
Income Inequality: The Widening Abyss
Income inequality in India is another critical issue that exacerbates frustration. The gap between the rich and the poor has been widening, with a small percentage of the population controlling a significant portion of the wealth. This disparity is starkly visible in urban areas, where luxury skyscrapers often stand adjacent to sprawling slums. The lack of opportunities for upward mobility traps many in a cycle of poverty, leading to resentment and social unrest. The agrarian distress, with farmers struggling to make a living and resorting to suicides, highlights the deep-rooted economic inequalities that plague the nation. This widening income gap is a ticking time bomb, threatening to explode into widespread social unrest and instability.
No Good ROI Against Taxes
Despite paying high taxes, Indians find themselves deprived of basic amenities and services that are taken for granted in many other countries. The return on investment (ROI) for the common man is dismally low. Public services such as transportation, healthcare, and education are inadequate and inefficient. This poor ROI is a major source of frustration, as citizens feel that their hard-earned money is being squandered by an inefficient and corrupt system. The collapse of the Morbi bridge in Gujarat, due to poor maintenance and corruption, resulting in the death of over 140 people, is a tragic testament to this systemic failure.
Conclusion
The frustration, annoyance, and aggression among Indians are not without reason. The systemic failures in the judiciary, political system, civil services, and the provision of basic amenities have created an environment of discontent. The common man feels exploited by a system that seems designed to benefit the powerful at their expense. The long list of pending cases in the judiciary, the corrupt practices of politicians, the high-handedness of civil servants, the crippling effects of inflation and unemployment, the lack of basic necessities despite high taxes, and the glaring income inequality all contribute to this growing frustration. It is imperative for the government and all stakeholders to address these issues with urgency and sincerity to restore faith in the democratic institutions and ensure a better quality of life for all citizens.
