India’s democracy, the world’s largest, has undergone many transformations since independence. The period after 2014 marked a decisive turning point, with political, social, religious, and institutional changes that challenged the fundamental concept of democracy. The BJP’s historic majority under Narendra Modi reshaped Indian politics, bringing Hindutva ideology into the mainstream, weakening opposition parties, consolidating control over institutions, and using social media for image management.
The Constitution enshrined secularism, but the rise of Hindutva ideology after 2014 challenged this principle. Organizations linked to the RSS openly promoted the idea of India as a Hindu nation. Reports documented rising crimes against minorities, while the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA, 2019) introduced religion-based citizenship, criticized as unconstitutional. Mob lynchings over cow slaughter, negligible convictions, and laws such as “Love Jihad” and anti-conversion statutes further strained democratic values of equality and religious freedom. The Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict and the inauguration of the Ram Temple in 2024 underscored the growing overlap between religion and state.
Concerns about electoral integrity deepened. The Electoral Bonds scheme, launched in 2017, enabled opaque political funding, disproportionately benefiting the ruling party. Though struck down by the Supreme Court in 2024, its impact was profound. Allegations of bias in the Election Commission, questions over EVMs, and lack of transparency in appointments added to mistrust. Judicial independence also came under scrutiny, with unprecedented dissent from senior judges in 2018, controversial case handling, and perceptions of political influence in appointments and verdicts. Investigative agencies were frequently accused of targeting opposition leaders, reinforcing the image of institutions as political tools.
Federal tensions grew as governors in opposition-led states clashed with elected governments, often refusing assent to bills or assembly sessions. The Supreme Court intervened, but analysts saw these conflicts as attempts to centralize power. Economic decisions such as demonetization in 2016, implemented without parliamentary debate, caused severe disruption to the informal sector and reduced GDP growth, raising questions about democratic process and accountability. Allegations of corruption in major contracts and the concentration of wealth among billionaires further eroded trust.
The media, traditionally the fourth pillar of democracy, faced unprecedented pressure. Independent reporting was branded “anti-national,” raids targeted critical outlets, and India’s global press freedom ranking fell sharply. Social media became a powerful propaganda tool, spreading misinformation, polarizing society, and fueling communal tensions. Campaigns branding opponents as “anti-national” and the rise of “WhatsApp University” exemplified the systematic use of digital platforms to shape public opinion.
Polarization intensified along religious and caste lines. The Delhi riots of 2020, the Nupur Sharma controversy, and bulldozer demolitions deepened Hindu-Muslim divides. Atrocities against Dalits, including the Hathras case and Rohith Vemula’s death, highlighted persistent caste discrimination. Civil liberties were curtailed under laws like UAPA, with activists and journalists imprisoned for years. The farmers’ protest of 2020–21, which forced the withdrawal of controversial farm laws, demonstrated both the resilience of democracy and the government’s dismissive approach to dissent.
Economic inequality widened, unemployment remained high, and youth disillusionment grew. The CAA and NRC sparked nationwide protests, raising concerns about citizenship rights and religious discrimination. The abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, accompanied by prolonged internet shutdowns and mass detentions, further strained democratic principles. Cases like Father Stan Swamy’s death in custody symbolized the erosion of civil liberties.
Yet democracy has not collapsed. The Supreme Court struck down Electoral Bonds, farmers compelled policy reversal, and opposition alliances gained ground in several states. In the 2024 elections, the BJP required coalition support, reflecting voter checks on power. Civil society, human rights groups, and independent digital media continue to function under pressure, and the judiciary has occasionally ruled against the government. These developments show democracy’s resilience.
Between 2014 and 2026, India faced serious challenges: weakened institutions, politicized agencies, curtailed media freedom, religious polarization, opaque funding, and suppression of civil rights. But democracy belongs not to any party or leader, but to the Constitution and the people. As Ambedkar warned, the quality of governance depends on those who implement the Constitution. Citizens’ vigilance, education, and activism remain democracy’s true strength. India now stands at a crossroads: one path leads to stronger institutions and civil society, the other to centralization and decline. The choice will be shaped by elections, judicial verdicts, and civic action. The test of Indian democracy is far from over; it is beginning anew, and its outcome rests with every citizen.
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*Independent journalist
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