Christophe Jaffrelot - Modi’s India: How Hindu nationalism has eroded the world’s largest democracy

India has long stood out as the most unlikely democracy in the world. Two centuries of British colonial rule had deepened absolute poverty, social inequalities and religious conflicts. Yet the secular 1950 Constitution granted universal adult suffrage, codified a wide range of civil liberties and political rights, and institutionalized many checks across a sprawling federal parliamentary democracy. Parties transferred power, and historically marginalized groups voted in ever greater numbers, with increasing frequency. Conflict and destitution remained serious challenges. Nonetheless, the persistence of the world’s largest democracy attracted widespread attention, offering a striking counterpoint to communist China.

The rise to power of the Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, however, has deeply challenged its foundations. Militant Hindu nationalism has polarized the electorate along ethno-religious lines and inspired efforts to undermine a secular model of citizenship.Populism has undermined the independence and autonomy of public institutions and civil society. And growing intimidation of and violence towards political opponents and minority communities has sown fear into the lives of many. What explains this sudden transformation? Why do so many citizens in India continue to support the leader of the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the failures of his government to realize its promise of rapid economic modernization? And what are the ramifications of these changes for democracy in India and its standing in the world?

The distinguished political sociologist, Christophe Jaffrelot, explores these questions in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.