Development as domination: inequality and authoritarianism in India. Publication by Blue Community Ambassador Lyla Mehta and Salonie Muralidhara Hiriyur for the Institute of Development Studies IDS.
India, touted as the world’s largest democracy, has been witnessing an erosion of its democratic fabric. Over the past decade, authoritarian tendencies have intensified, marked by the centralisation of power, the undermining of democratic institutions, and the silencing of dissent.
From curbs on press freedom to the marginalisation of minority voices, the country is grappling with a shift away from its pluralistic ideals. This transformation is not happening in isolation—it reflects broader global trends of rising authoritarianism, but its manifestations in India are deeply rooted in the country’s unique socio-political and historical context. How did the country arrive at this juncture, and what does it mean for its future as a democracy?
