India’s democracy was not a gift to its people by a benevolent ruler. It was won through a long and arduous struggle against colonial rule, a struggle in which millions participated and countless freedom fighters sacrificed their lives.

When India became independent, the Constituent Assembly, under the leadership of B R Ambedkar, gave this democratic aspiration an extraordinary institutional form. The Constitution established India as a sovereign democratic republic and guaranteed universal adult suffrage. Many democracies, including the US and European countries, took generations to overcome restrictions based on property, race, gender and social status. India began its constitutional life with universal adult franchise.

The Narendra Modi government is systematically weakening the institutions that sustain democratic accountability. Its understanding of democracy appears to begin and end with winning elections, while treating independent institutions, opposition parties, dissenting citizens and public scrutiny as obstacles to be overcome. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has come under unprecedented scrutiny. Article 324 vests in the ECI the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral........

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