The government’s alleged targeting of opposition figures, as well as a new system allowing anonymous donations to political parties, is believed to have given the BJP a huge edge.
Over the past decade, I have documented the erosion of India’s once robustly democratic legal system as part of Prime Minister Modi’s ‘authoritarian playbook’
Preminda Jacob, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Ahead of elections in India, a series of films that promote the ruling party’s right-wing ideology are seeking to influence voters. An art historian explains how the trend started.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged major development projects in a visit to Kashmir last month. But many locals fear things will only worsen if the government is reelected.
The Ram temple, built on the site of a destroyed mosque, could be used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party to mobilise his Hindu nationalist supporters ahead of the elections.
This announcement by U.S. authorities could have potential ramifications for Indian politics, both at home and abroad, and could spur separatist activities in the Sikh diaspora.
Reports of an alleged Indian plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in the United States could undermine India-U.S. relations and both country’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
India is far from posing a threat to American power the way China is now. But if the West elevates India at China’s expense, it will eventually have to contend with Indian challenges.
Fahad Ahmad, Toronto Metropolitan University and Baljit Nagra, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
If it turns out India was involved in the death of a Sikh activist in Canada, it should be regarded not only as an extrajudicial killing but also as an act of state terror.
Director, Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Westminster