An India-based magazine, The Diplomat, has unveiled the grim reality behind the facade of democracy under the Modi government in India. Contrary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's lofty rhetoric, the recent actions paint a starkly different picture.
As the nation gears up for general elections, alarming instances of democratic erosion have come to light. Opposition leaders have faced expulsion from parliament, with members suspended merely for raising questions.
Further exacerbating the situation, the bank accounts of major opposition parties have been frozen, stifling their ability to function effectively.
The Modi government's tactics extend beyond mere political maneuvering. Federal agencies have been weaponized to target opposition figures, including the unprecedented arrest of chief ministers on dubious charges of money laundering. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has allegedly amassed a staggering $1 billion through clandestine electoral bonds, skewing the electoral playing field in their favor.
Journalists critical of the government find themselves under constant threat, facing intimidation and arrest. The media landscape is marred by a relentless campaign against opposition parties, while dissent within ranks is quelled through coercion and inducement.
The Election Commission's complacency in addressing these concerns has shattered public confidence in the electoral process. The refusal to implement safeguards such as voter-verified paper audit trails and the dubious appointment of commissioners further taint the legitimacy of elections.
India's once-respected judiciary and other state institutions appear powerless in the face of governmental overreach. Public protests have failed to curb the Modi government's authoritarian tendencies, leaving the electoral process increasingly skewed in favor of the BJP.
