The "INDIA" Narendra Modi wanted to create but....?

 The Freedom in politics is being distrupted under the BJP's Nationalism in recent years. But as per the elections shapes the country, Indian democracy is in safe hands than it should have in trash, argues Chietigji Bajpaee.

India is gearing up for an epic showdown this spring as it launches the grandest democratic spectacle on the planet – with 900 million registered voters in a country of 1.4 billion souls.

In a political landscape that defies tradition, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rewritten the rule book, maintaining its grip on power for nearly a decade. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has won two consecutive elections, based on four formidable pillars: the militant ethos of Hindutva; an ambitious agenda focused on welfare and development; a fervent wave of nationalism; And the magnetic attraction of Modi personality. Nevertheless, this BJP rule coincides with India's evolution into what some call illiberal democracy.

An Uncultured Ruiling Party or Dictatorship?

Sweden's V-Dem Institute has cast a harsh spotlight on India's political landscape and termed it an electoral autocracy, as democratic norms, including freedom of expression, face increasing pressure. Additionally, the country's secular foundations have come into the spotlight as concerns grow over minority rights.

India, once a shining symbol of press freedom, has seen a sharp decline, falling 11 places to 161st out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. Reports of increasing violence against journalists, media bias, and monopolization of media ownership have tarnished its reputation. Adding to the concern, Freedom House has downgraded India's status from 'free' to 'partly free', citing a worrying decline in internet freedom.

Amidst this backdrop of declining freedoms, a ray of hope is emerging in the field of governance. India's digital public infrastructure stands as a testament to progress, revolutionizing welfare disbursement while cracking down on corruption. It is a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape, underscoring the delicate balance between democratic ideals and effective governance.

India's status as the world's largest democracy not only defines its domestic governance but also shapes its role as a key player on the global stage. The West often lauds India's democratic principles as a cornerstone of engagement, seeing it as an important counterbalance to China's rise.

However, India's democratic model differs from the Western model. Although it operates within the framework of a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, it also includes indigenous governance systems. This unique blend reflects the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India.

Despite its deep democratic roots, India grapples with challenges such as dynastic politics and allegations of democratic regression. Many of its political parties are dynastic in nature, maintaining historical caste structures and patronage systems linked to royal legacies.

In recent years, concerns have grown over perceived authoritarian tendencies within the government. Reports of government pressure on think tanks and changes in research agendas to suit government priorities have raised red flags. Some institutions have changed their business models to reduce government scrutiny, underscoring the delicate dance between autonomy and compliance.

As India grapples with these complexities, the tension between democratic ideals and government control remains evident. The struggle to balance between preserving democratic values and upholding rights underlines the complex dynamics of India's political landscape, both on the domestic and international fronts.

From Theory to Reality: Charting the Course for One Nation One Election in India

The Indian government's 'One Nation, One Election' proposal has sparked heated debate, with supporters calling it a step towards electoral efficiency, while critics arguing that it would give the party ruling at the center an unfair advantage over regional parties. Can deliver.

However, despite these concerns, India's democratic resilience shines through. The country has come a long way since the dark days of the Emergency in 1975 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended democratic norms for almost two years.

A hallmark of Indian democracy is its vibrant opposition, especially evident at the state level where the ruling BJP has suffered setbacks in recent elections. This underlines the ability of voters to maintain democratic autonomy and participate in relatively free and fair elections.

Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly with regard to press freedom. The erosion of free and impartial media casts doubt on voters' access to unbiased information and their ability to make informed decisions.

As India continues its democratic journey, the debate on 'One Nation, One Election' symbolizes the complex balance between efficiency and fairness in the world's largest democracy. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Indian democracy and its ongoing quest for political reform and accountability.

The diverse range of political parties active at the state level in India reflects the country's federal structure, which grants states significant autonomy over key economic and social policies, similar to the system in the United States.

Even on the national stage, there is a visible resurgence in opposition enthusiasm, highlighted by the formation of a grand alliance – the India National Development Inclusive Alliance – comprising more than two dozen political parties. However, doubts remain about the sustainability of such a grand alliance, given the lack of consensus on key issues.

As India's landscape evolves, so does the flavor of its democracy. Good governance has emerged as a decisive factor in electoral outcomes, transcending traditional urban-middle-class constituencies. A prime example of this shift is the advent of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which has emerged as a vote-winning issue, reflecting voters' growing emphasis on practical governance solutions in the rapidly evolving digital age.

The concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) represents a transformational leap in India's governance landscape, encompassing identity verification, digital payments and data management. This holistic approach has democratized access to essential services such as health care, education and banking, particularly benefiting marginalized communities previously excluded from formal systems. Furthermore, by reducing facilitation payments and curbing corruption, DPI has yielded significant economic dividends, with the government estimating savings equivalent to 1.1 percent of India's GDP between 2013 and 2021.

Along with these domestic developments, India's growing global stature has reshaped the election debate, with foreign policy taking on greater importance. While previous elections were largely dominated by bread-and-butter issues, the current government plans a change by boosting its credentials in national security and projecting India's enhanced position on the global stage. This dual strategy reflects the evolving priorities of the Indian electorate and underlines the government's efforts to position India as a strong player on the international front.

The upcoming 2024 elections in India are set to continue the government's strategy of leveraging foreign policy achievements as a powerful electoral tool. A prime example of this is the assertive stance taken by India towards countries challenging its sovereignty, as demonstrated by the 2019 election campaign following the military operations against Pakistan following the terrorist attack. This show of strength strengthened the BJP's electoral performance by garnering support under the banner of national security.

Looking ahead, the government is expected to promote India's strong foreign policy agenda as a means to garner votes. This includes highlighting reactions to border tensions with China, countering allegations of involvement in international incidents and India's global engagements such as the delayed presidency of the G20, achievements of the space programme, hosting the Cricket World Cup and aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics. May include displaying. These efforts underline the government's concerted efforts to capitalize on India's growing global stature for electoral gains, indicating the continued intertwining of foreign policy and domestic politics in the Indian electoral landscape.

When Good Isn't Good Enough: Delving into the Lesser Evil

In the arena of global geopolitics, India's political trajectory has aroused apprehension in the West, yet it remains 'less bad' than China's authoritarian rule. Despite the flaws in its democracy, India's pluralistic system is considered a better alternative to China's single-party dictatorship. This sentiment is underlined by the growing strategic rivalry between the United States and China, which has prompted a reassessment of alliances and partnerships.

Amid this backdrop, India's democratic credentials outweigh concerns over the potential erosion of liberal values. However, a change in this dynamic may occur under certain conditions, such as an increase in communal unrest within India or the rise of the BJP's Hindutva agenda on the global stage.

Until such indicators materialize, the West, particularly the United States, is set to continue its support for India as a strategic counterbalance to China's dominance in the global South. This alignment serves as a strategic maneuver to reduce China's influence and maintain balance in the emerging global power dynamics.