Resisting Autocratization of Parliamentary Democracy in South Asia :Role of Civil Society Organizations and Non-State Actors with Special Reference to India

Democracy is as old as human civilization. Democratic institutions prevailed in ancient Greece and Indian sub-continent. There existed deliberative bodies like Samithi and Sabah in India and the Boule and Dikasteria in ancient Greece. However, several indicators point to the declining values of modern democratic institutions such as parliament, political parties, civil society organizations, non-state actors and even electoral processes as well as citizen attitudes. This declining trend is attributed to the consistent assault on democracy and its roots by the political parties, leaders, religious groups, terrorists, communal organizations, social media etc It is in this context, this panel strives to analyse the recent trends of destabilising democratic norms and restoring democratic institutions in South Asia, especially in India.
Political processes are manipulated and democratic norms are violated in South Asia with the help of religion, communal groups, military intervention, economic aid, sponsored social media, and crackdown on opposition parties.
Further, democracy is sidelined and elected governments are over thrown in Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka by popular protest and student movements. Divisive policies, legal reforms and religious norms, defections, criminalization of politics and freebies are some of the techniques used to weaken the democracy and leaning towards one party dominance and autocratization in India .Nepal is not an exemption to such manipulation.
The virtues of democracy ie., political equity, responsible representation participatory governance, accountability of parliament and enlightened citizenship are eroding throughout the world. It is here this panel attempts to critically analyse the recent trends of autocratization of democracy in the South Asian region, especially with special reference to India and suggest measures to sustain and deepening democratic institutions in this region.