The Structural Contradictions of Indian Democracy and the Rise of the BJP by Prof Pratap Bhanu Mehta

Democracy Dialogues
Lecture Series
II nd Lecture
''The Structural Contradictions of Indian Democracy and the Rise of the BJP''
by Prof Pratap Bhanu Mehta Scholar, Columnist, Public Intellectual
Sunday, 16 th August,2020, 6 pm
Live Link : newsocialistinitiative.nsi
This talk explores the deep social transformations that have made the dominance of the BJP possible. It will take a longer view of the trajectory of Indian democracy and explore the profound changes in social and economic identities underway, that have prepared a propitious ground for the rise of the BJP.
Live on / newsocialistinitiative...
The idea behind this series - which we would like to call 'Democracy Dialogues' - is basically to initiate as well as join in the on-going conversation around this theme in academic as well as activist circles.
We feel that the very idea of democracy which has taken deep roots across the world, has come under scanner for various reasons. At the same time we have been witness to the ascendance of right-wing forces and fascistic demagogues via the same democratic route. There is this apparently anomalous situation in which the spread and deepening of democracy have often led to generating mass support for these reactionary and fascistic forces.
Coming to India, there have been valid concerns about the rise of authoritarian streak among Indians and how it has helped strengthen BJP's hard right turn. The strong support for democracy here is accompanied by increasing fascination towards majoritarian-authoritarian politics. In fact, we would like to state that a vigorous electoral democracy here has become a vehicle for hindutva-ite counterrevolution.

[@sanjeevprasad1748]

Great discussion with excellent academic rigour

[@ammayyatalasila7770]

Mr. Mehta you are right when you say that the social power in India has remained fragmented on account of political parties creating divisions based on region, religion, caste, etc.........Which party is the author of such fragmentation which is now so deeply rooted that it can't be undone .............

[@tadepalliprasad]

The sudden rise if BJP may be attributed to the mishandling of the public issues including huge corruption ,dynasty rule of congress while the standard of living remained the same .

[@ammayyatalasila7770]

Mr. Mehta, instead of demonising BJP your should use your critical thinking skills to establish between BJP and other political parties who is a lesser evil............Your analysis full of abstract words do not help the average Indian in understanding what you are trying to convey...............No doubt, you are a very good abstractionist