NEW DELHI, June 14 -- At a time when India is facing huge challenges to its pluralistic democracy due to the erosion of democratic institutions and processes, the change in the Covid vaccine policy announced by the Modi government on Monday June 7, demonstrates that the executive, however powerful and autocratic it is, can be tamed, if the other players assert themselves. The change of mind of the Modi government happened because of the criticism and questioning by the judiciary (Supreme Court), the opposition ruled state governments, media and the civil society.
On 7th June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation announced that from June 21, all citizens above the age of 18 year will get free vaccines, and assured that...