India’s liberal democracy ranking drops to 104th

India’s democratic status has been a subject of concern as per a recent report by the Varieties of Democracy Institute, based in Sweden. The report reveals that India’s rank has dropped to 104th out of 179 countries in the Liberal Democracy Index.
This decline is attributed to the alleged promotion of the Hindutva ideology, which critics argue has led to discriminatory practices against minorities.
The Modi administration, in power since 2014, has been accused of using laws related to sedition, defamation, and anti-terrorism to suppress dissent. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, amended in 2019, has been criticized for undermining India’s constitutional commitment to secularism.
Media freedom in India has also been under threat, with journalists facing intimidation tactics ranging from tax evasion charges to accusations of terrorism. India’s position in the World Press Freedom Index has dropped to 142 out of 180 countries.
The United Nations’ human rights experts have expressed alarm over reports of attacks on minorities, media, and civil society in India. They have called for urgent corrective action as the country prepares for elections in.
The international community is closely watching these developments, raising questions about the potential response of the United Nations to what some describe as a “fascist agenda” under the Modi administration.