India — often lauded as “the world’s largest democracy” — is heading to the polls in an election that will be anything but free and fair.
Leaders of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have not only repressed the media and political opposition. They are advancing a project that is fundamentally anti-democratic. Their Hindu supremacism is increasingly demonising and disenfranchising India’s more than 170 million Muslim citizens.
In a shocking campaign speech that drew widespread criticism, Prime Minister Modi termed the Indian Muslim population as “infiltrators” who have “lots of children”, and claimed they gobble up the country's resources and welfare entitlements. In another speech, he accused the political opposition of encouraging and engaging in “vote jihad.” BJP leaders and social media accounts have been openly inciting hatred against religious minorities in India.
The Representation of the People Act prohibits candidates from appealing to voters “on the ground of [...] religion”, an act that can disqualify candidates from running for six years.
That law also prescribes a three-year jail term for any candidate who “promotes … on grounds of religion .. feelings of enmity or hatred.” But the Election Commission of India has not taken a single punitive action against the BJP or its leaders.
Taking a cue from Modi’s speeches, the police in Uttar Pradesh — India’s most populous state — have prevented many Muslims from voting in the Sambhal constituency. Muslims were beaten, abused, and sent back, with their election identity cards either confiscated or torn up by the police.
In at least two parliamentary seats, candidates from other parties and independents withdrew from the contest.
In the constituency where Home Minister Amit Shah is running, 16 candidates have withdrawn. Some candidates alleged that their decision was made under duress following “pressure” from the BJP. “It is possible that I will be killed,” one candidate who has withdrawn his candidature said in a video, “I appeal to my countrymen: save this nation; it is in danger.”
The people of India are determinedly fighting the brazen undermining of their democracy. Social movements from across the country have called on the Election Commisioners to "grow a spine or resign", urging the body to combat hate speech and prevent electoral manipulation.
The Progressive International Observatory will continue to report from the ground as the election unfolds.
In solidarity,
Gurshabad Grover