Prof. Rahul Mukherji (Heidelberg University) published an article entitled ‘Covid vs. Democracy: India’s Illiberal Remedy’ in The Journal of Democracy. The article can be downloaded here.

Abstract: The world’s largest democracy is sliding toward competitive authoritarianism, and the covid-19 pandemic has sped it along the way. In responding to the virus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government not only imposed a strict nationwide lockdown—with devastating collateral damage—but also adopted a governing style that weakened the position of India’s states and cut the parliamentary opposition out of decision making. The hollowing-out of judicial review and the government’s attacks on the media have intensified the threat to democratic governance. It will take a herculean effort for a weak opposition, acting in an adverse institutional environment, to confront the BJP’s authoritarian politics head-on and halt India’s backsliding before the country has passed the point of no return.