India, since its independence in 1947, has been a land of contradictions and paradoxes. It's a country where the world's largest democracy coexists with some of the most entrenched social, economic, and political inequalities. In this vibrant democracy, one phenomenon has continually shaped its political landscape and human development over the decades: the politics of freebies. What began as a simple gesture of goodwill to the poor, often camouflaged as welfare, has now turned into a monstrous populist exercise with far-reaching consequences for the nation’s economy, job creation, and the overall quality of life for its citizens.
Welcome to India’s freebie politics—where political parties compete not over policies but over who can offer the most "free stuff" in the lead-up to elections. And who could forget the extravagant promises made to voters? From free bicycles to free Wi-Fi, free gas cylinders to free laptops, free bus rides to even free electricity, India's election manifestos have become a never-ending Christmas wishlist. But while all this appears very "benevolent," the repercussions of these populist measures are anything but lighthearted.
Let’s embark on a darkly humorous journey through the history of freebies politics in India, understanding its evolution, impact on the country’s economy, and how it’s slowly, but surely, deteriorating the fabric of our nation's youth—often rendering them "free of jobs" as well.
Freebies Politics: A Brief History from 1947 to 2024
The Early Days: Idealism and Nation-Building (1947-1960s)
The post-independence era saw Indian leaders focusing on nation-building. Led by Jawaharlal Nehru, the emphasis was on socialistic ideals, industrialization, and economic self-sufficiency. Freebies? Not so much. Instead, there were policies aimed at creating public infrastructure, institutions, and industries to elevate the masses. There was an urgency to lift people out of poverty, not with handouts but through education, land reforms, and employment opportunities.
However, this noble pursuit was short-lived. By the late 1960s, with Indira Gandhi's famous slogan "Garibi Hatao" (Abolish Poverty), the politics of welfare turned into the politics of populism. Indira Gandhi's government started experimenting with schemes that directly aimed at offering "free benefits" to the rural and urban poor to win over the electorate. This was when the slow creep of freebies culture started influencing Indian politics. Welfare programs morphed into vote-grabbing mechanisms.
The 1980s: The Freebie Era Unfolds
The 1980s, particularly under Rajiv Gandhi, saw the first real wave of the politics of subsidies and direct giveaways. State governments followed suit. Freebies became the flavor of the season, and political parties began to realize their true potential.
In Tamil Nadu, a trendsetter in Indian freebie politics, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), the iconic chief minister, took this to new heights. MGR introduced free school meals in Tamil Nadu. What began as a well-intentioned program to address child malnutrition in schools soon became a tool of mass appeasement. The concept of free rice, free uniforms, and later even free televisions became a hallmark of Tamil Nadu politics.
But it wasn't just Tamil Nadu. State after state, political leaders realized that handouts—rather than meaningful reforms—were a faster and easier way to garner votes.
The 1990s: The Freebies Frenzy Intensifies
As India entered the economic liberalization phase in 1991 under the leadership of P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, there was hope that India would see a shift from populist policies to growth-oriented economic measures. The nation witnessed an economic boom, but the freebies culture persisted. The contrast between economic reforms at the national level and vote-winning freebies at the state level became ever more glaring.
In Uttar Pradesh, bicycles were distributed to women under Mulayam Singh Yadav's government, while in Punjab, political parties began promising free electricity for farmers.
With each election, political manifestos started reading more like shopping lists. Leaders were vying to outdo one another in the 'Great Indian Freebie Contest'. Why bother building schools, when you could offer free laptops? Why invest in power generation, when you could just offer free electricity?
The 2000s: Free Laptops, Televisions, and Beyond
By the 2000s, the freebies game had reached absurd levels. Jayalalithaa, in Tamil Nadu, famously offered free color TVs to every household, among other goodies. Free mixers, grinders, and fans were distributed like festival gifts during her tenure. In fact, freebies were no longer seen as an occasional handout but as a political right.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, starting in the 2010s, took the freebies game to another level. Free water, free electricity, and free bus rides for women were among the many promises made by AAP, much to the delight of urban voters. And why stop there? Every election in India, right up to 2024, has been a showcase of who can give the most for free.
2024: The Present State of Affairs
In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the freebie phenomenon has shown no signs of slowing down. Instead, it has evolved into a critical component of every political strategy. Promises of free smartphones, LPG cylinders, unemployment benefits, and even direct cash transfers have become the norm. But behind all the “generosity” is a stark reality: this practice is wreaking havoc on the nation’s economic and social fabric.
How Freebies Politics Is Affecting India's Economy
Now that we’ve humorously walked through India’s freebie-laden political history, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: How exactly is this affecting our economy?
The answer is both simple and terrifying: the bill is being footed by the taxpayer, and the long-term damage is considerable.
Mounting Fiscal Deficit: The most immediate consequence of distributing freebies is the burden on the state’s coffers. Every time a state government announces free electricity, laptops, or even cash transfers, it’s not magic money—it's coming from the taxpayer’s pocket. States like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and even Delhi have seen their fiscal deficits balloon as they scramble to keep up with their promises.
Opportunity Cost: Every rupee spent on a freebie is a rupee not spent on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, or job creation. The money that should be going towards creating long-term assets is instead being splurged on short-term gains. And guess what? That shiny new free television won’t generate employment.
Distortion of Market Forces: When the government provides services for free, it distorts natural market incentives. Free electricity, for example, leads to overconsumption and wastage. Instead of focusing on efficient usage and sustainability, people tend to exploit these resources, knowing they don’t bear the direct cost.
The Impact on Quality of Life and Job Creation
Now, let’s address a rather bitter truth: Freebies don’t improve the quality of life.
What they do is offer a quick fix for electoral purposes. The youth are especially at the receiving end of this misguided policy. Instead of providing meaningful employment opportunities, skill development programs, or entrepreneurial incentives, freebies like unemployment allowances or free bicycles create an illusion of support, while contributing nothing toward long-term human capital development.
Stagnation of Youth Potential: With no focus on creating sustainable jobs or equipping the youth with market-relevant skills, the freebie culture is leaving a generation idle and disillusioned. While young Indians get free Wi-Fi and smartphones, their job prospects are shrinking. The result? A well-connected but jobless youth.
Dependency Syndrome: Freebies breed dependency. Rather than empowering individuals to take control of their lives, freebies foster a culture of entitlement, where people expect the state to take care of them indefinitely. Why go out and look for a job when you’re being handed subsidies, allowances, and benefits just for being alive?
The Dark Future of Freebie Politics: A Nation of Free Riders?
At the current trajectory, India’s freebies politics is creating an economy where the productive, tax-paying class is increasingly supporting a system of entitlements. More dangerously, this is unsustainable. If every state in India promises more freebies than the last, and if political parties continue to rely on this model to win elections, it will only lead to a future where infrastructure crumbles, deficits soar, and jobs disappear.
But hey, at least we’ll have free gas cylinders.
Conclusion: The Need for a Paradigm Shift
While the freebie culture might seem like an easy way to win votes, it is ultimately a short-sighted approach that harms both the economy and the quality of life for millions of Indians. Politicians need to shift their focus from short-term populism to long-term governance that prioritizes job creation, infrastructure, and sustainable development.
In the end, no amount of free laptops, bicycles
