Muslim World Report

India's Democratic Erosion: A Worrying Global Trend

Dr. Anthony Lindsay | Jun 20, 2025 10:55 AM | 6 min read | 1101 words

TL;DR: India’s democracy is under severe threat, experiencing a significant decline in freedoms since 2014 under the BJP. This blog discusses implications of this erosion, potential international responses, and what the future could hold for India’s democratic landscape.

India’s Declining Democratic Freedom: Implications and Avenues for Action

The Situation

India, once celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, is now facing a profound erosion of its democratic freedoms under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since it came to power in 2014. Systematic analyses of global freedom indices reveal alarming trends of regression:

  • Freedom House has reclassified India from ‘Free’ to ‘Partly Free,’ with its score dropping to 66 out of 100 (Freedom House, 2023).
  • India’s position in the Economist’s Democracy Index plummeted from 27th to 53rd, highlighting deteriorating civil liberties and institutional autonomy (The Economist, 2023).
  • The press freedom ranking has fallen drastically to 159 out of 180, raising serious concerns about media independence (Reporters Without Borders, 2023).

This decline is characterized by:

  • Rising restrictions on protests
  • An increasingly hostile environment for press freedoms
  • Transformation of the media landscape into a governmental mouthpiece, with journalists facing intimidation and repression.

Further exacerbating the situation is India’s global leadership in internet shutdowns, particularly in Kashmir, where technology is weaponized to stifle free expression. While some justifications claim a focus on educational integrity, this trend ultimately serves the broader narrative of control (Zeng, 2020).

Concerns surrounding judicial independence illustrate a troubling shift toward executive overreach, posing pressing issues regarding the rule of law and institutional integrity as sociopolitical tensions amplify and religious pluralism wanes (Huq & Ginsburg, 2017). Thus, it becomes increasingly vital to reflect on the lived experiences of citizens:

  • What does democracy signify in India today?

The erosion of democratic norms demands urgent global scrutiny, as the pathway this nation treads could serve as a cautionary tale for other countries grappling with similar authoritarian challenges. The international community bears a weighty responsibility to reassess its complicity in supporting regimes that erode freedoms and advocate for restoring democratic principles.

What If India’s Democratic Erosion Continues Unabated?

Should the trajectory of democratic erosion in India continue unchecked, the ramifications could be profound, including:

  • Normalization of authoritarianism, emboldening autocratic leaders elsewhere (Levitsky & Way, 2002).
  • Civil unrest triggered by fear and repression, potentially met with violent crackdowns, inflaming societal fractures (Aouragh & Chakravartty, 2016).
  • Economic implications of political instability discouraging international investors (Mosse, 2018).

What If India Faces International Sanctions?

The prospect of international sanctions in response to India’s democratic decline raises complex questions:

  • Domestic Impact: Sanctions could consolidate support for the current government, framing critics as traitors (Potter & Baum, 2010).
  • International Realignment: India might seek partnerships with authoritarian regimes, creating a geopolitical axis favoring suppression over democratic values (Chesterman, 2002).
  • Economic Repercussions: Sanctions might stifle foreign investment, undermining India’s growth trajectory post-liberalization (Ahmed, 2010).

What If India Witnesses a Democratic Resurgence?

Conversely, a democratic resurgence in India could revitalize its political landscape and provide hope:

  • Grassroots movements, international advocacy, and elite shifts could spur change (Mosher, 2019).
  • A revitalized movement would prioritize restoring civil liberties, an independent media, and a transparent judiciary, fostering public trust (Horton et al., 2018).
  • Challenges would include navigating entrenched interests defending the status quo and potential extremist groups leveraging the resurgence for divisive narratives (Ramaprasad & Kelly, 2003).

The Broader Implications

The implications of India’s declining democratic freedoms extend beyond its borders:

  • Neighboring countries may feel encouraged or discouraged based on India’s trajectory, potentially influencing their governance models.
  • India’s diminishing role in global institutions like the United Nations or G20 could weaken discussions on human rights and democratic governance.
  • Economic downturns linked to democratic backsliding may impact foreign direct investment and overall economic growth.

Consequently, the international community must engage in nuanced discussions regarding its relationship with India. While pressing for adherence to democratic principles is essential, balancing this with economic and strategic interests can prove challenging.

Strategic Maneuvers

To combat the multifaceted challenges posed by India’s democratic decline, several strategic actions must be undertaken by both domestic actors and the international community:

Domestic Stakeholders

Civil Society Organizations:

  • Build coalitions across diverse segments (youth, women, marginalized communities) to challenge state repression (Aouragh & Chakravartty, 2016).
  • Employ innovative mobilization methods, utilizing digital platforms to strengthen participation.

Independent Media:

  • Commit to investigative journalism to counter state-sponsored misinformation.
  • Protect journalists through safe havens and supportive legislation (Günay & Džihić, 2016).

Judicial Independence:

  • Advocate for a transparent and impartial judiciary to safeguard judicial independence.

International Community

Targeted Sanctions:

  • A balanced approach is crucial; targeted sanctions against key figures responsible for human rights abuses can signal disapproval while supporting civil society (Destradi & Plagemann, 2019).

Diplomatic Engagement:

  • Engage diplomatically to urge dialogue about human rights and democratic restoration, fostering incremental reforms while avoiding alienation (Chesterman, 2002).

Investment in Democratic Initiatives:

  • Encourage investments that bolster democratic practices and human rights, creating an environment conducive to stability (Mosse, 2018).

Conclusion

The trajectory of India’s democracy is critical for its citizens and the broader global conversation surrounding governance and human rights. As the international community works to counter authoritarian trends, stakeholders must remain cognizant of the complexities involved in supporting democratic ideals that benefit all individuals. The future of India’s democracy hinges on the commitment of its citizens, the resilience of its institutions, and the response of the international community to the evolving situation on the ground.

References

  • Ahmed, W. (2010). Neoliberalism, Corporations, and Power: Enron in India. Annals of the Association of American Geographers.
  • Aouragh, M., & Chakravartty, P. (2016). Infrastructures of empire: towards a critical geopolitics of media and information studies. Media Culture & Society.
  • Chesterman, S. (2002). Just war or just peace?: humanitarian intervention and international law. Choice Reviews Online.
  • Destradi, S., & Plagemann, J. (2019). Populism and International Relations: (Un)predictability, personalization, and the reinforcement of existing trends in world politics. Review of International Studies.
  • Freedom House. (2023). Freedom in the World 2023: Snapshots of Global Freedom.
  • The Economist. (2023). Democracy Index 2023: A year of decline.
  • Huq, A. Z., & Ginsburg, T. (2017). How to Lose a Constitutional Democracy. SSRN Electronic Journal.
  • Horton, J., Reynolds, J. L., Buck, H. J., Callies, D. E., Schäfer, S., & Keith, D. W. (2018). Solar Geoengineering and Democracy. Global Environmental Politics.
  • Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2002). Elections Without Democracy: The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism. Journal of Democracy.
  • Mosse, D. (2018). Caste and development: Contemporary perspectives on a structure of discrimination and advantage. World Development.
  • Ramaprasad, J., & Kelly, J. D. (2003). Reporting the News from the World’s Rooftop. Gazette (Leiden Netherlands).
  • Zeng, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence and China’s authoritarian governance. International Affairs.
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