Experts raise concerns over upcoming Indian polls as BJP eyes third term

Islamabad : While several South Asian countries are holding elections, the results of the upcoming Indian elections will significantly impact the country within and beyond its national borders. Concerns arise as the BJP eyes a third term, with potential repercussions including further escalation in Hindu fundamentalism and compromises on the rule of law. Besides, the results will also wield a substantial influence on regional dynamics and redefine India’s interactions with its neighbours.

This was observed during a roundtable, “Democracy in India: New Dynamics & Evolving Scenario,” held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. This roundtable was the first of a series of discussions being held to understand the decade of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) rule, marked by enormous changes in socio-political outlook and policy shifts, and navigate the future course to which India is heading in the backdrop of the general elections scheduled for May.

The roundtable, chaired by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS, was addressed by Dr Mujeeb Afzal, author, associate professor, School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), QAU, Dr Farooq Adil, author and journalist, Iftikhar Gilani, journalist, Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman, IPS, Prof Dr Fakhr-ul-Islam, advisor research and academic outreach, IPS, legal experts, scholars, and journalists.

The speakers said the biased constitutional interpretations in India signal its shift from a secular state to a Hindu-centric one. This has undermined the rule of law, influenced by Hindu nationalism, leading to an autocratic bureaucratic structure with Hindu extremists capitalizing on divisive issues.

Dr Mujeeb Afzal said the Indian constitution, initially contextualized for the diversity within the nation, has transformed into a compromised rule of law. This is due to the influence of Hindu nationalism in shaping the constitutional discourse and its interpretation of the constitution, signalling potential challenges to its secular fabric.