Is India becoming a dictatorship? India goes to the polls for pivotal national elections in April and May 2024. As things stand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to secure a third term. Despite the country's strong democratic foundations, there is increasing unease about the implications of Modi’s anticipated victory. Concerns are specifically centred around India's drift towards religious and nationalist authoritarianism, prompting allegations of Modi's potential dictatorial bent. The broader international context reflects a disturbing shift from liberal democracy to authoritarian regimes, with India becoming a focal point of this global trend. The nation's longstanding pluralistic, multiparty system and constitutional protections are perceived to be at risk, indicating a critical juncture for Indian democracy.

The Republic of India, recognised for its vast cultural diversity and complex demographics, is the world's most populous democracy. Its geographical expanse makes it the seventh-largest country globally. India's population is currently around 1.3 billion, with a linguistic mosaic that includes 22 official languages and a religious tapestry predominantly Hindu, but also encompassing Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy, India maintains significant centralised control over key policy areas. Historical highlights of India include its ancient civilisation, colonial past, and the post-independence challenges it faced under its leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru and his daughter, Indira Gandhi. The Indian National Congress initially dominated politics after independence with a vision grounded in secular socialism. However, the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), advocating Hindu nationalism, has altered the political landscape, especially under Modi's leadership. With a controversial track record and a centralising governance style, Modi's tenure has sparked debates about the state of democracy in India, setting the stage for an election that may define the nation's democratic trajectory.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:51 India and Authoritarianism in International Relations
01:52 India: Location and Population
03:06 The Emergence of Modern India
04:43 India’s Statebuilding After Independence
05:54 India under Indira Gandhi
08:07 The Rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
11:04 India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
13:03 Is India Becoming a Dictatorship?

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
National Portal of Indiahttps://www.india.gov.in
Narendra Modi | YouTube
   / @narendramodi  
Bharatiya Janat Party - BJP | YouTube   / @bjp  
Rahul Gandhi | YouTube
   / @rahulgandhi  
Rahul Gandhi vs Modi | Indian Parliament   • #NoConfidenceMotion: Rahul Gandhi's F...  
Reporters Without Borders | India
https://rsf.org/en/country/india
Freedom House | India
https://freedomhouse.org/country/india
Dhruv Rathee | Is India Becoming a DICTATORSJIP?
   • Is India becoming a DICTATORSHIP? | C...  

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