India is going through some of the toughest times in its recent history. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing, and millions of people are struggling just to survive. More than 234 million Indians live in extreme poverty, which is about 16% of the population. These are people who often cannot afford even one full meal a day. Hunger is widespread and dangerous, especially for children. According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries, with a score of 27.3 that places it in the “serious” category. Children suffer the most. Around 35.5% of children are stunted, meaning they are too short for their age due to poor nutrition. Another 18.7% are wasted, which shows they are dangerously underweight. This kind of malnutrition affects their health, learning ability, and chances of living a healthy life.
At the same time, young people in India are struggling to find jobs. Even those who have college degrees are sitting at home, unable to earn a living. Nearly 20% of graduates are unemployed. There are very few opportunities, especially in rural areas. The jobs that are available often pay too little or involve hard labour under unsafe conditions. The government talks a lot about economic growth, but most of the benefits go to big companies and the ultra-rich. Poor and middle-class families see no improvement in their lives. Many small businesses are suffering, and there is not enough support for rural employment. The focus of the government appears to be on helping large corporations rather than solving everyday problems faced by ordinary people.
Healthcare is another serious concern. Public hospitals are underfunded, overcrowded, and lacking in staff and equipment. For poor families, going to a private hospital is not even an option because of the high cost. Medicines are expensive, and treatment delays are common. The same story repeats in education. Many families cannot afford to send their children to school, especially girls. In rural areas, schools often do not have enough teachers, proper toilets, or even drinking water. Without education and healthcare, people remain stuck in poverty from one generation to the next.
Women in India face constant threats to their safety. The Women’s Safety Index 2024 ranks India 71st out of 146 countries, showing how unsafe women feel. Cases of sexual assault and harassment are reported daily, and many more go unreported out of fear or shame. Even when women speak up, justice is delayed or denied. The Global Gender Gap Index 2024 ranks India at 129th out of 146, pointing to deep inequality in jobs, wages, education, and political participation. Women are expected to stay silent, sacrifice their ambitions, and live within narrow roles set by society.
Caste-based discrimination is still alive, even decades after it was outlawed. Dalits, who have faced untouchability for generations, are still denied land, education, and respect. They are attacked for small things like trying to draw water from a common well or entering temples. Dalit women face even more violence, as they are targeted for both their caste and gender. Adivasis too suffer silently in far-off villages, often displaced from their lands for mining or big projects, without proper compensation or rehabilitation. Despite having laws to protect them, these communities continue to face injustice while the government turns a blind eye.
The justice system, which is supposed to protect people, is often unfair and broken. India ranks 79th out of 142 countries in the Rule of Law Index 2024. This means the laws are not applied equally, and many powerful people escape punishment while the poor are jailed for minor offenses. Corruption is everywhere—from getting a hospital bed to getting a job. India’s position on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 is 93rd out of 180 countries, showing how deeply corruption has rooted itself into public life. People lose trust in the system when they see that only the rich and well-connected get what they want, while others are forced to struggle.
Frustration is rising. People are angry and tired of poverty, crime, joblessness, and lack of basic services. But instead of questioning the government or holding leaders accountable, this anger is often misdirected. It turns against minorities, especially Muslims and Christians. This shift is not accidental. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) often uses religious nationalism to distract from its failures. Policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have singled out Muslims, making them feel like outsiders in their own country. Recent amendments to Waqf law are also perceive as targeting Muslims. Hate speeches by political figures go unpunished. The idea of a “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu Nation) is promoted to create division and win votes, while real issues like hunger and jobs are ignored.
This misdirected anger leads to violence. After the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed, there was a wave of attacks—not against the terrorists—but against innocent Muslim civilians. In Pulwama’s Tahab village, army personnel reportedly assaulted Muslim and Pandit families in the middle of the night, vandalized their homes, and terrorized women and children. People from all communities in the village came out to protest, demanding the removal of the army camp responsible for the violence. Across India, Kashmiri Muslims faced harassment and discrimination. Students were beaten, vendors were driven out of cities, and social media was flooded with hate speech. None of these people had anything to do with the attack, but they were made scapegoats. The government failed to protect them or speak out against the hate. This is just one example of how public frustration is turned against the weak, rather than being directed at those in power.
Meanwhile, the ultra-rich are becoming richer. Business tycoons like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani receive special treatment. They are awarded huge contracts, given land and licenses, and supported by state machinery. This is known as crony capitalism—when the government helps a few close allies instead of serving the entire population. While most Indians are worried about rising prices, unemployment, and poor services, a handful of industrialists enjoy unchecked growth and influence. The gap between rich and poor keeps widening.
Globally, India’s rankings reveal how deep the crisis runs. The Human Development Index 2023/24 ranks India 134th out of 193 countries, reflecting low levels of education, health, and income. The World Happiness Report 2024 places India at 126th out of 143 countries, showing that most Indians are not happy or satisfied with their lives. India is ranked 116th on the Global Peace Index 2024, pointing to rising violence and internal conflict. Press freedom is shrinking. India is now ranked 159th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index 2024. Journalists are harassed, arrested, or silenced for questioning the government. A free press is essential for any democracy, and its decline is a dangerous sign.
India is clearly at a crossroads. The problems are real—poverty, inequality, corruption, discrimination, and violence. But instead of addressing these, the focus is shifted to religion and hate. Minorities, Dalits, women, and the poor become the targets of society’s anger, while the powerful escape scrutiny. This blame game must stop.
Real change is possible, but it requires courage. The government must invest in jobs, healthcare, and education. It must ensure justice and safety for all, especially the most vulnerable. Corruption must be fought, not ignored. People must unite across caste, religion, and region to demand real accountability. Movements against the CAA and for the rights of women, workers, and minorities show that change is possible. These voices need support—not fear or silence.
India has the potential to rise, but only if it stops blaming the weak and starts fixing what is broken. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and hope. It’s time to choose unity over division, truth over propaganda, and justice over hate.
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