A democracy in name but a tyranny in practice— India’s descent into authoritarianism under the cloak of democratic pretence is one of the most glaring hypocrisies of our time. The world, often swayed by India’s carefully curated image of a pluralistic state, continues to turn a blind eye to the deep-seated reality of systemic oppression, religious persecution, and expansionist ambitions that define the Modi regime. Beneath the façade of the world’s largest democracy lies a ruthless machinery driven by Hindutva ideology— one that crushes dissent within, suffocates minorities, and actively destabilizes its neighbors through covert operations and hybrid warfare.
Far from the ideals it professes, India has weaponized democracy as a shield to mask its authoritarian tendencies, allowing its ruling elite to evade global scrutiny while perpetrating rampant human rights abuses. From the draconian suppression of Kashmiri Muslims to the targeted harassment of Christians and Dalits, the country has institutionalized discrimination, emboldened by an ultranationalist government that thrives on divisive politics.
As global institutions remain complicit— either out of strategic interest or sheer indifference— and India’s reckless trajectory continues unchecked. The world watches as jingoism, militarism, and majoritarianism reshape the Subcontinent, threatening both regional stability and the very democratic values India falsely claims to champion. If the international community remains silent, it will not merely be an enabler but an accomplice in legitimizing India’s transformation into an authoritarian state.
India’s attempts to deflect attention from its abysmal human rights record by projecting baseless allegations onto Pakistan exemplify its deep-seated hypocrisy. The recent exchange of words between the Indian Foreign Minister and Pakistan’s Foreign Office underscores New Delhi’s desperation to divert international scrutiny. Yet, the reality is stark and undeniable: India’s state machinery has long been complicit in fostering an environment of oppression, particularly against Muslims, Christians, and other marginalized communities. Various international human rights bodies, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have meticulously documented these injustices, exposing the chasm between India’s rhetoric and its grim realities.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2025 lays bare India’s institutionalized discrimination against its 200-million-strong Muslim population. Arbitrary arrests, police brutality, mob lynchings, and the draconian use of anti-terror laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) highlight how the Indian government systematically marginalizes its minorities. The report also underscores the egregious suppression of dissent, with journalists and activists facing arrests, raids, and fabricated charges.
Beyond its borders, India’s extrajudicial killings and assassination plots targeting Sikh activists and dissidents abroad further expose its global misconduct. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended sanctions against India’s external intelligence agency for its involvement in such crimes. Coupled with Amnesty International’s reports on India’s weaponization of hate speech and digital surveillance, these revelations dismantle any pretence of India being a beacon of human rights. The Modi regime’s Hindutva-driven politics have led to a systematic erasure of pluralism, with historical narratives rewritten to serve the ruling party’s ultra-nationalist agenda.
The abrogation of Article 370 in Occupied Kashmir stands as another testament to India’s blatant disregard for human rights. Kashmir remains the most militarized region in the world, suffering enforced disappearances, custodial killings, and the systematic targeting of Kashmiri Muslims. The United Nations and various global watchdogs have repeatedly condemned India’s actions, yet the repression continues unabated under the guise of “internal affairs.” This aggressive suppression of Kashmiri voices directly contradicts India’s claims of being a protector of minority rights.
On the legislative front, India’s enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019 further exposed its anti-Muslim sentiment. The law fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslims from neighbouring countries, institutionalizing religious discrimination in a nation that claims secularism. Simultaneously, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) threatens to render millions of Muslims stateless, creating a looming humanitarian crisis. These discriminatory policies have been widely condemned, yet India remains defiant in its march toward majoritarianism.
India’s treatment of Christians is no less alarming. Anti-conversion laws serve as tools of persecution, fueling attacks on churches and false accusations against missionaries. Amnesty International has documented cases of Christians facing harassment and violent assaults by Hindutva extremist mobs, often with police inaction or complicity. The rise in hate crimes and the absence of judicial accountability reveal the double standards of India’s legal system, selectively shielding its Hindu majority while allowing violence against religious minorities to flourish.
The global community must go beyond rhetoric and take decisive action— sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and accountability for the architects of oppression. The time for silence is over. India is not the beacon of democracy it claims to be, and the world can no longer afford to buy into its fabricated narrative.
India’s brazen attempts to silence dissent, both domestically and internationally, have drawn severe condemnation from media watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Modi government’s relentless crackdown on journalists, particularly those exposing corruption and human rights violations, exemplifies its authoritarian trajectory. The infamous tax raids on BBC offices in India, following its critical documentary on Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, sent a chilling message to independent media. International organizations, including Reuters and Voice of America (VOA), have documented instances of journalists facing harassment, intimidation, and fabricated legal cases designed to suppress critical reporting. India’s press freedom rankings continue to plummet, exposing its hostility toward independent journalism.
India’s interference beyond its borders further exposes its destabilizing ambitions. It has long been accused of meddling in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, using its intelligence agency, RAW, to manipulate factions and undermine Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. Reports have also surfaced regarding India’s covert operations against Iran, attempting to sabotage regional stability for its own strategic gains. RAW’s hybrid warfare tactics extend to international forums, where India engages in disinformation campaigns to discredit Pakistan and disrupt its relations with key allies.
Amid this glaring record of abuses, India audaciously lectures Pakistan on minority rights. Despite its own challenges, Pakistan has made significant strides in protecting its minorities. Legislative measures ensure the safety and security of Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities, with the government actively fostering interfaith harmony. The Kartarpur Corridor stands as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to religious inclusivity, providing Sikh pilgrims open access to their holy sites.
Pakistan’s strong rebuttal to the Indian Foreign Minister’s baseless accusations was not only necessary but a reaffirmation of truth. India’s desperate attempts to demonize Pakistan on the international stage stem from its own fear of accountability. The Modi government’s divisive policies have drawn global criticism, yet instead of introspection, India opts for diversionary tactics, hoping to shift focus from its crumbling democratic facade. This tactic, however, is wearing thin, as the world increasingly recognizes India’s state-sponsored persecution of minorities.
While India cries foul over alleged human rights violations elsewhere, its own institutions actively silence minorities, curtail press freedom, and suppress dissent. Revoking press licenses, arbitrarily arresting journalists, and deploying Pegasus spyware to surveil critics all expose India’s fragile commitment to democracy. The Modi regime’s intolerance towards opposition is symptomatic of a larger problem: India’s democracy is becoming a hollow facade, eroded by its own authoritarian tendencies.
Pakistan, in contrast, continues to advocate for regional peace despite India’s belligerent rhetoric. Islamabad has repeatedly called for diplomatic resolution of the Kashmir dispute, yet India remains intransigent, intensifying its oppressive policies. The Modi government’s refusal to acknowledge the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination epitomizes its broader agenda— silencing those who do not conform to its Hindutva-driven ideology.
The international community must hold India accountable. The European Union, United Nations, and global human rights organizations must move beyond statements and take concrete action. Sanctions, travel bans on officials implicated in atrocities, and conditioning trade agreements on human rights benchmarks are just a few necessary measures. Turning a blind eye to India’s transgressions will only embolden its government to further trample on fundamental rights.
Pakistan has done well to expose India’s hypocrisy, but the fight for justice must not wane— it must intensify. Islamabad must relentlessly amplify the voices of India’s oppressed, ensuring that the world can no longer ignore the reality behind its democratic facade. Every international forum must echo the undeniable truth: India’s descent into authoritarianism and regional destabilization threatens not just its minorities but the stability of the entire region.
The global community must go beyond rhetoric and take decisive action— sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and accountability for the architects of oppression. The time for silence is over. India is not the beacon of democracy it claims to be, and the world can no longer afford to buy into its fabricated narrative.
