India: Democratic Freedoms - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:32 am on 14 March 2024.

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Photo of Baroness D'Souza Baroness D'Souza Crossbench 11:32, 14 March 2024

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. The BJP policy of Hindu nationalism is increasingly invading press freedom, political opposition and the civil society space. For example, the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, sedition law, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, all hint at an electoral autocracy in the world’s largest nominal democracy. There appears to be a departure from India’s secular constitution and its underlying democratic principles. Does the Minister not believe these to be dangerous precedents?