Podcast Summary: India’s Democratic Republic in Flux

Podcast: New Books Network — Democracy Dialogue
Host: Maya Tudor
Guest: Yogendra Yadav
Date: February 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a wide-ranging conversation between host Maya Tudor and Indian political theorist, activist, and public intellectual Yogendra Yadav. The discussion explores the current state of Indian democracy, the ongoing process of democratic backsliding under the Narendra Modi regime, the nature of nationalism in India, the critical role of social movements, and what ordinary citizens can do to defend democracy. The episode provides a nuanced and critical examination of both dangers and sources of hope for India’s democratic republic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. India’s Democratic Crisis

• India's Shift and Global Implications ([04:11]):

  • Yadav agrees that Indian democracy is in crisis, noting that India's status is globally significant not just for its size—1 billion voters—but also as a symbol for postcolonial democratization.
  • "A country that democratized the very idea of democracy... if that country slides back, it's bad news for the world." (Yadav, [04:45])

• Backsliding and Dismantling the Republic ([04:52]):

  • Since 2014, under BJP and Modi, there has been not only democratic backsliding (erosion of human rights, compromised institutions), but also a dismantling of the republic’s foundational vision of diversity, secularism, and inclusion.
  • Key watchdog institutions such as media, anti-corruption agencies, and judiciary are described as compromised.

• Majoritarian Nationalism:

  • Yadav warns of the new regime’s emphasis on majoritarian Hindu dominance, undermining the constitution’s vision of pluralism.

2. Democracy “Dying by a Thousand Cuts”

• Pattern of Erosion ([08:41]):
  • Tudor and Yadav discuss how democratic erosion in the 21st century usually occurs through incremental "cuts" rather than dramatic interventions like coups.
  • “Democracy doesn’t die with tanks rolling through the streets… the average pattern of erosion looks like that kind of cut here and a cut there.” (Tudor, [08:41])

3. The 2024 Parliamentary Election: Setback for BJP’s Plebiscitary Ambition

• Nature and Result of the Election ([10:43]):

  • The 2024 election was more a plebiscite on Modi’s regime than a conventional parliamentary contest. Despite his campaign’s ambition for “400+” seats, BJP fell short (240 seats) and formed a government only with allies.
  • “Mr. Modi is back to power, but he loses the plebiscite. This is why 2024 was so important…” (Yadav, [12:10])

• Consequences and Allegations ([13:55]):

  • Following the election, BJP appears to have recalibrated, winning successive state elections under controversial circumstances, with allegations of electoral fraud—such as mass deletions and additions to electoral rolls in Bihar ([14:46]).

4. Electoral Commission and Voting Rights: Tectonic Shifts

• Decline of Independence ([17:02], [18:25]):

  • The Election Commission, once a model of autonomy, is now seen as acting at the behest of the government due to politicized appointments.
  • Turning point: The case of Commissioner Lavasa, who was hounded for dissenting against the government ([19:48]).

• Protocols Undermined ([21:10]):

  • Massive voter roll purges occurred by shifting the onus of registration onto citizens, disadvantaging poorer, less-documented Indians.
  • “It’s a tectonic shift in the nature of voting rights in India… its universality is compromised.” (Yadav, [22:35])

• Broader Significance ([23:13]):

  • Tudor draws parallels between these “technical changes” and global trends in democratic erosion, noting disproportionate harm to disadvantaged citizens.

5. Nationalism: Indian vs. Hindu Chauvinism

• Misconceptions about 'Nationalism' ([24:37]):

  • Yadav distinguishes traditional Indian nationalism—pluralistic, anti-colonial, inclusive—from the chauvinistic, majoritarian vision advanced by BJP.
  • "Nationalism is as much a positive force... my nationalism did not teach me to be majoritarian... It is taking pride in diversity." (Yadav, [27:00])

• Appropriation of Nationalism ([28:40]):

  • BJP, whose ideological ancestors played no part in India’s anti-colonial struggle, has captured and—Yadav argues—distorted the legacy of Indian nationalism.

6. Vital Role of Social Movements

• Movements as Guardians of Democracy ([31:10]):

  • Given the fragility of formal institutions in India, the resilience of democracy has been due in large part to social movements.
  • Historical examples: Opposition to the emergency (1975-77), environmental policies, and most recently, massive farmer and citizenship protests ([32:35]).

• Effectiveness and Hope:

  • Yadav expresses greater hope in social movements than in elections or judiciary for reclaiming Indian democracy.

• Farmer’s Movement Success—Why? ([35:55]):

  • Broad resonance: Agricultural issues impact more than half the population.
  • Pre-existing networks: Long-standing tradition of farmer activism, particularly in Punjab.
  • Progressive traditions: Farmers’ movements in India are tied to secular and egalitarian activism.

7. Civic Action: What Can Citizens Do?

• “Defend Truth” Army ([39:03]):

  • Yadav calls on ordinary citizens—especially privileged, English-speaking Indians—to counter misinformation at every scale: “Why can't we create a truth army to take on the troll army?”

• Privilege and Responsibility ([40:15]):

  • For English-speaking elites: Recognize your privilege, speak for and understand less privileged Indians.
  • Practical step: Spend time in villages or working-class colonies—“That could be discovery of India. That could also be discovery of democracy. That could also be discovery of hope.” (Yadav, [41:38])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Backsliding:
  "India democratized the idea of democracy... helped make it truly global. If that country slides back, it's bad news for the world."
  — Yogendra Yadav ([04:45])

• On Media and Institutions:
  “The Indian media is amazingly captured by the government... all the watchdog institutions... including even the judiciary, is very deeply compromised.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([05:31])

• On Voting Rights:
  “It’s a tectonic shift in the nature of voting rights in India tectonic shift in the nature of universal adult franchise in a way that its universality is compromised.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([22:35])

• On Nationalism:
  “My nationalism did not teach me to be majoritarian... It is taking pride in diversity.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([27:00])

• On Social Movements:
  “What has saved our democracy? Movements. Social movements have filled the gap left by weakness of institutions in our democratic structures.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([31:10])

• On Civic Action:
  “Why can't we create a truth army to take on the troll army?... All of us can be soldiers for that truth army.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([39:14])

• On Democratic Engagement:
  “Discovery of India was the name of a great book written by Jawaharlal Nehru... every Indian, especially every elite Indian, needs to do his own discovery of India.”
  — Yogendra Yadav ([41:38])

Key Timestamps

• Introduction and Background of Yogendra Yadav: [01:14]–[02:55]
• India’s Democratic Backsliding and Global Impact: [04:11]–[08:41]
• Election as Plebiscite and Aftermath: [10:43]–[15:32]
• Erosion of Election Commission Independence: [17:02]–[23:13]
• Nationalism in India—Historical vs. Contemporary: [24:37]–[30:11]
• Social Movements: Power & Potential: [31:10]–[38:01]
• What Citizens Can Practically Do: [39:03]–[41:38]

Tone and Style

The conversation balances academic rigor with activist passion. Yadav’s remarks are reflective, historical, and urgent, drawing on both personal experience and broad social observation. Tudor keeps the discussion lively, prompting clarity and specificity for a wide audience interested in comparative democracy.

Conclusion

This episode offers a sobering yet hopeful diagnosis of India’s democratic challenges. While the rise of majoritarian nationalism and institutional gutting are deeply worrying, Yadav draws energy from India's traditions of social movement struggle and suggests a path forward rooted in citizen action, truths, and rediscovery.