As 2025 concludes, two opinion pieces in The Indian Express present contrasting evaluations of the Modi government's 12th year, highlighting achievements in reforms alongside concerns over accountability and security lapses.
The year 2025 marked Narendra Modi's 12th year as Prime Minister, prompting divergent analyses. In a critical piece, Manish Tewari described it as 'a year of deferred accountability,' pointing to failures in governance and security. He cited the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur in February following ethnic violence, the Pahalgam terror attack in May, and military responses between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10. Tewari also highlighted the Red Fort blast in Delhi as evidence of homegrown radicalisation, alongside infrastructure issues like the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad in June and railway tragedies.
Tewari criticized policies such as the SHANTI Act, which caps nuclear operator liability at Rs 3,000 crore and exempts foreign suppliers, calling it a risk to public safety. He viewed income tax and GST cuts as reactive measures, the caste census announcement as an ideological U-turn, and changes to Election Commission appointments as weakening democracy through the Special Intensive Revision process.
In contrast, Akhilesh Mishra praised the government for setting 'new benchmarks,' emphasizing structural reforms. He noted GST 2.0 simplifications, the SHANTI Act as opening nuclear energy to private participation under regulation, and the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana targeting low-performing agricultural districts. Mishra highlighted the containment of Left-Wing Extremism, Operation Sindoor redefining deterrence against Pakistan, the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 addressing land opacity, implementation of new labour codes, raising the tax-free income slab to Rs 12 lakh, FDI reforms in insurance, and multiple FTAs.
These pieces underscore a polarized narrative: one sees reactive governance and institutional erosion, the other transformative progress amid political longevity.
