Stockholm, The Varieties of Democracy Institute, based in Sweden, has released a report categorizing India as one of the “worst autocratisers” globally, with significant regressions in democratic practices under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the “Democracy Winning and Losing at the Ballot” report highlights India’s continued status as an “electoral autocracy” since 2018, reflecting deficiencies in essential democratic attributes like freedom of expression, association, and electoral integrity. The findings underline India’s substantial contribution to the global population residing in autocratising nations, with the country accounting for approximately half of such individuals worldwide.
The Modi administration’s employment of sedition, defamation, and anti-terrorism laws to quell dissent is a critical aspect noted in the report. Furthermore, it cites the 2019 amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as evidence of the government’s deviation from secular constitutional commitments.
The report also addresses India’s press freedom constraints, aligning it with nations like El Salvador and Mauritius as significant violators. Concerns extend to religious freedom, with government actions reportedly stifling political opposition, dissent in academia, and civil society engagement.
The comprehensive analysis provided by V-Dem illustrates a troubling trajectory for India, emphasizing a decline in freedom of expression, media independence, and civic space. Moreover, India’s positioning in the bottom segments of the Liberal Democracy Index further quantifies its democratic backsliding.
These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of democratic erosion in India, challenging the international community to scrutinize the underlying trends and their broader implications for global democratic health.