Description
The Dismantling of India’s Democracy 1947 to 2025 by Prem Shankar Jha is a bold and urgent examination of the gradual erosion of democratic institutions in India. Jha traces the arc of Indian democracy from its hopeful beginnings after independence to its current state of crisis. He argues that the foundational ideals of pluralism and participatory governance have been steadily undermined, not just by political actors but by structural flaws embedded in the system itself. The book offers a historical perspective on how these vulnerabilities were exploited over decades, culminating in a more aggressive dismantling in recent years.
Jha explores how the absence of state-funded elections and the ban on corporate donations led political parties to seek funding through opaque and often illicit means. This shift, he contends, transformed politics into a near-criminal enterprise long before the rise of overt authoritarianism. He examines the increasing use of state agencies for political vendetta, the weakening of electoral processes, and the normalization of repression as signs of a deeper transformation. Drawing parallels with global trends, Jha suggests that India is not merely drifting toward authoritarianism but developing a uniquely Indian form of fascism.
The book is both a lament and a call to action. Jha insists that reversing this decline will require more than electoral victories—it demands a renewed commitment to political accountability and cultural inclusivity. His analysis is grounded in decades of experience and offers a sobering reflection on how democracies can be hollowed out from within. The Dismantling of India’s Democracy is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the forces reshaping India’s political landscape and the urgent need to reclaim its democratic spirit.
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