DYNAMICS OF SELECTIVE DEMOCRACY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE PATTERNS DURING THE MODI ADMINISTRATION BY - MIHIR AGRAWAL
DYNAMICS OF SELECTIVE DEMOCRACY: A
COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE PATTERNS DURING THE MODI ADMINISTRATION
AUTHORED BY - MIHIR AGRAWAL
ABSTRACT
Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
ever since gaining power in 2014 has embarked a distinctive phase in India’s
historical narrative. During this period, the nation has witnessed a departure
from fundamental democratic tenets, minority rights, and executive
responsibility to a more authoritarian approach. India serves as a prominent
illustration of the global decline in democracy. The recent reclassification of
India as a hybrid regime significantly contributes to the broader trend of
global autocratization. The manner in which India's democratic regression
unfolds offers insights into contemporary democratic erosion – a process
characterized not by dramatic coups or midnight arrests of opposition figures,
but rather by the systematic employment of legal mechanisms to harass the
opposition, the intimidation of media, and the consolidation of executive
authority. Through the characterization of government criticism as an act of
disloyalty to the nation, the Narendra Modi administration is eroding the fundamental
notion that opposition is a legitimate and integral aspect of governance.
The analysis delves into the various
dimensions of this approach, highlighting instances of media censorship, covert
political maneuvering, and policies that appear to prioritize one specific
class over others. The Article digs into the intricate dynamics of Selective
Democracy, employing a comprehensive analytical approach, this article
scrutinizes the governance patterns that have emerged under Modi’s
Admininstration, shedding light on the extent to which certain aspects of
democracy may be prioritized or marginalized.
MODI RULE: RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM / PRE-DOMINANT HINDU
ERA?
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rooted
in the ideological tenets of Hindu nationalism, achieved a historic victory in
2014 by securing the first single-party majority in India's parliament in over
three decades. The BJP's resurgence was fueled by accusations against the
Congress Party of practicing “pseudo-secularism” and allegedly favoring minority
communities over the Hindu majority. This marked a notable shift toward a
robust and pro-Hindu form of nationalism. Capitalizing on its significant 2014
success, the BJP has systematically extended its influence across extensive
regions of India, wresting political dominance from the Congress Party and
various regional adversaries. This trajectory characterizes the advent of the
Modi era as a period dominated by a pronounced Hindu-centric ethos. While
numerous political parties in India utilize religious symbols for political
objectives, the BJP champions a unique ideology inherently favoring the Hindu
community over others. Despite Hindus constituting 80% of India's population,
the nation accommodates a substantial number of religious minorities, notably
over 175 million Muslims.[1]
The Citizenship Ammendment Act of
2019 could be perceived as one such discriminatory policy that establishes an
expedited pathway to Indian citizenship for undocumented immigrants belonging
to particular religious minorities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and
Christian) hailing from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, while explicitly
excluding Muslims. Critics assert that this legislation, favoring non-Muslims,
is in contradiction to the principles of equal treatment and secularism.[2] Incidents
of violence against Muslims, including acts such as lynchings or mob killings,
have seen a significant increase. Cases of mob-lynching related to bovine
crises (often involving rumors of individuals handling cows, typically Muslims)
have notably surged as a proportion of overall violence in India since 2010. As
reported by numerous autonomous International organizations such as Human
Rights Watch and the U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom, an overwhelming
minority population in India currently lives in an atmosphere characterized by
a “widespread climate of fear.”[3]
DEVIOUS ELECTION STRATEGIES: SUPPRESS OPPOSITION?
The frequent and consistent conduct
of raids against political adversaries has become an established and
unsurprising element of our political landscape. The government routinely
characterizes objections to these raids as inconsequential uproar, asserting
that it is merely upholding the rule of law. It maintains that its actions are
aimed at dismantling any perceived immunity from legal scrutiny and holding
accountable those deemed corrupt within the established political echelons.
Additionally, the government rebuffs criticisms from the opposition, dismissing
them as hypocritical, citing instances when the opposition itself utilized
similar raid tactics for political purposes during its tenure in power. This
recurring pattern raises questions about the broader implications for
democratic principles and governance within our political system. Although
using raids as political instruments against the opposition predates the Modi
administration, there have been alterations that have elevated these sporadic
raids into a systematic paradigm known as 'Rule by Raids.’[4]
There has been a significant
escalation in both the frequency of political cases and the number of raids,
particularly with the Enforcement Directorate emerging as the preferred tool of
the government. Employing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, a
statute seemingly favored by the administration for prosecuting adversaries,
there has been an increase exceeding 27 times in the searches conducted by the
Enforcement Directorate during Modi's tenure.[5]
This remarkable surge has resulted in the transformation of politically
motivated raids from sporadic occurrences into a systematic and anticipated
mechanism of political influence. There is a notable absence of meticulous
public examination regarding the ramifications of these raids and their
societal benefits. Similar to political rallies, raids have evolved into a
repetitive political exhibition, strategically managing the news cycle. These
actions serve to curb the mobility of opponents while concurrently undermining
their credibility through punitive measures.[6]
The deliberate targeting of opponents
through raids contravenes the fundamental principles of democracy, as it
imposes consequences such as raids and prosecution for the exercise of the
fundamental rights of political speech and assembly. Critique, dissent, and
free speech are seen as fundamental rights and are not punished under
democratic institutions when individuals voice their disagreement with those in
authority. However, the use of raids in this context sends a disquieting
message to individuals endeavoring to hold the government accountable. This
pattern also poses a threat to another crucial facet of the rule of law:
equality in legal treatment. It establishes a dichotomy, wherein individuals
aligned with the regime enjoy an added privilege of immunity from prosecution
even when offenses are committed, while those in opposition face the prospect
of persecution even in the absence of criminal wrongdoing.
MEDIA CONTROL AND CYBER MILITANCY
The initial term of the Modi
administration initiated a series of actions aimed at undermining and
assimilating the mainstream media. Access to government sources for primary
news gathering was restricted, with the prime minister and his ministers predominantly
utilizing state-owned media and social media platforms for direct communication
with the public. During its second term, the Modi government is solidifying a
pre-existing, nascent pattern of narrative control. Traditional media outlets
in print and television have been effectively brought under influence,
exhibiting a reduced inclination to significantly challenge the government. The
current emphasis on control is directed towards digital media platforms,
encompassing a strategic concentration on social media. This indicates a
discernible progression in the government's strategy to influence and manage
public discourse, with an increased focus on the digital landscape.
Since 2014, India's position in the
World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders has declined to 161st
out of 180 countries. This ranking places India below countries such as
Bahrain, Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Vietnam.[7]
Journalists in India occasionally face death threats and are commonly subjected
to hate campaigns on social media orchestrated by troll farms associated with
the government. Prominent media networks refrain from openly criticizing the
Modi government due to perceived limitations on press freedom.
Mukesh Ambani, a business figure
closely affiliated with Modi, exercises direct control over media platforms
that collectively reach a minimum of 800 million Indian audiences.[8] In another
instance, Gautam Adani, a notable associate of Modi, completed the acquisition
of NDTV, India's last significant independent television network, in December
2022. Analysts assert that Adani's takeover of NDTV signifies the conclusion of
independent media in India, thereby consolidating major television news
channels under the ownership of billionaires with significant connections to
the Indian government.[9]
The present state of affairs in India
is frequently characterized as an “Undeclared Emergency,” primarily due to the
fact that the government is not compelled to officially declare an emergency
because the effective tool of self-censorship can be wielded as a powerful
means to suppress any dissenting voices.[10]
The government is progressively leveraging technology to restrict human rights
and suppress freedom of expression on the internet. In February 2021, the
Indian government introduced the Information Technology Rules, posing threats
to both freedom of expression and the right to privacy. These regulations grant
the government the authority to unilaterally demand the removal of online
content without the need for judicial oversight.
CONCLUSION
Democracy in India, akin to global
patterns, is presently not succumbing to overt military coups or orchestrated,
large-scale arrests of political adversaries. Rather, autocratic leaders have
acquired the skill to articulate democratic rhetoric while concurrently
implementing autocratic policies. This involves upholding a legal semblance of
democracy while actively engaging in the harassment of opposition figures and
ruthlessly limiting the space for sincere criticism from devoted voices.
Modi government's approach to
governance has been marked by a multifaceted strategy that extends beyond
traditional political practices. From stifling media voices to employing covert
methods to quell opposition, and exhibiting preferential treatment towards
Hindu nationals, the government's actions have raised concerns about fairness,
pluralism, and the protection of democratic values. The discernible favoritism
towards a specific class has not only impacted the principles of equal representation
and justice but has also contributed to a broader narrative of democratic
erosion. As India navigates these complex challenges, the need for a
transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance model remains paramount for
the sustained vitality of its democratic institutions.
[1] Indian Ministry of Home Affairs Office of the
Registrar General and Census Commissioner, “2011 Census Data,” 2011,
http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-Common/CensusData2011.html.
[2] Lydia Polgreen, “The World’s Biggest Democracy Is
Jettisoning Freedom and Tolerance,” The New York Times (Feb. 8, 2023),
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/opinion/india-modi-bbc-democracy.html.
[3] Sandipan Baksi and Aravindhan Nagarajan, “Mob
Lynchings in India: A Look at Data and the Story Behind the Numbers,”
Newslaundry (July 4, 2017),
www.newslaundry.com/2017/07/04/mob-lynchings-in-india-a-look-at-data-and-the-story-behind-the-numbers.
[4] Praneet Pathak, “Five Reasons Why Modi Government's
'Rule By Raids' Weakens India's Democracy,” The Wire (Feb. 28, 2023),
https://thewire.in/government/five-reasons-why-modi-govts-rule-by-raids-weakens-indias-democracy.
[5] Prem Shankar Jha, “Weaponising ED Shows Modi's
Limitless Ambition to Stamp Out All Political Opposition,” The Wire (Aug. 26,
2022),
https://thewire.in/politics/weaponising-ed-shows-modis-limitless-ambition-to-stamp-out-all-political-opposition.
[6] PTI, “PM Modi has resorted to tactics of FDI - fear,
deception, intimidation: Congress on ED raids in Rajasthan,” The Deccan Herald
(Oct. 27, 2023),
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/pm-modi-has-resorted-to-tactics-of-fdi-fear-deception-intimidation-congress-on-ed-raids-in-rajasthan-2743664.
[7] Media Ownership Monitor, India, 2023,
http://india.mom-gmr.org/en/
[8] Anjana Krishnan, “India Report 2022,” Reuters
Institute, Oxford University, https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2022/india.
[9] Astha Rajvanshi, “India’s Richest Man Is Buying a
Major TV Channel. It’s a Blow to Independent Media in the Country,” Time (Dec.
1, 2022), https://time.com/6238075/india-ndtv-gautam-adani-narendramodi/.
[10] Gurpreet Singh, “Media under Modi,” Citizens for
Justice and Peace, (Mar. 6, 2018)
https://cjp.org.in/media-under-modi/.