US, Feb. 24 -- The tragedy of Indian democracy is that as elections approach, the spirit of public service often transforms into populist politics. Political parties have turned freebie schemes into a shortcut to electoral success. The growing tendency to secure votes by offering immediate financial benefits to voters is becoming increasingly entrenched. With assembly elections due in the coming months and political activity intensifying in states such as Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, the influence of this culture has become even more visible. Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court of India has made serious observations on the unchecked expansion of free schemes. These remarks are not merely legal in nature; they serve as...