Narendra Modi’s pursuit of a third term, as Prime Minister, stands poised to reshape the contours of Indian democracy. As the incumbent leader navigates the political landscape, his potential re-election carries profound implications for the nation’s democratic fabric. Modi’s leadership has been marked by transformative policies, economic reforms, and a strategic foreign policy agenda, all of which have left an inerasable imprint on India’s trajectory. However, amidst praises, critiques persist over issues of civil liberties, political plurality, and institutional autonomy. There is a concern regarding the erosion of democratic norms and the health of pluralistic discourse as power has been centralized.

Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister began in 2014 which had a profound impact on Indian democracy. His potential third term can further influence various aspects of democratic governance in India. Under his leadership, in the political landscape, consolidation of power within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been witnessed. Influence of the opposition party has been reduced. This centralization could become more pronounced in a third term, resultantly weakening the multi-party democratic system for which India is known for. Balance of power in India’s federal structure has been affected as central government has, many times, undermined state’s autonomy. Tensions have been witnessed between the central government and state government, particularly those not ruled by BJP. The government’s duty in judicial appointments, in particular through the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) and recurring tensions with the judiciary, highlights ongoing struggles over control and independence.

His third term reflects authoritarianism like other authoritarian leaders of the time like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Hindu nationalist politics has changed the characteristics of India’s secular democracy. In Indian history, no prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first premier, has won three consecutive terms. It is definite that Modi’s last two terms has brought the world’s most populous country close to an authoritarian political system.

The election campaign, which started from mid-April and ended on 1^st June this year, revolved around anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan ideologies. Modi’s vows about establishing a Hindu state has shattered secular identity of India. Coming to power again will empower the right-wing Hindu nationalists and this can effect democratic norms in India. Due to this, image of being world’s largest democracy is at threat. There exists fear for 250 million Muslim citizens due to political efforts of creating a Hindu supremacist country. Under such a state, Muslim citizens will have a second class status. Such a practice goes against democratic values of freedom, equality and human rights. A massive toll in humanitarian and aid sector has been witnessed under BJP’s rule. Religious freedom for minorities has been limited and dozens of incidents regarding attacks on Muslim population got reported. The abrogation of Article 370 on Kashmir’s autonomy is also an example of human right violation. There has an increasing concern about the minority rights due to policies like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). 101 days long Shaheen Bagh movement against such policies was violently suppressed. Third term, due to identity politics and such policies, can potentially further polarize the social fabric and deepen communal division by affecting national unity.

Freedom of speech and voices of minorities has also been suppressed. Allegations of press intimidation, suppression of dissenting voices, and increased censorship could continue or intensify, in turn impacting the media’s role as watchdog and a pillar of democracy. A third term might see further curbs on civil liberties, especially targeting dissent and minority community. Media outlets who criticized the government got raided like in the case of NDTV and arrests of journalists. The arrest and harassment of activists and dissenters could become more frequent, which can choke democratic engagement and activism. Furthermore, Modi’s government had been engaged in authoritarian reforms regarding labor laws and agriculture which have sparked massive protests. The concentration of decision-making authority in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has increased concerns about the erosion of federal structures. The centralization has undermined the autonomy of state government which can lead to imbalance in the federal polity.

BJP under Modi, for the first time needed support from its regional allies for winning the elections and it formulated National Democratic Alliance to gain enough seats. Through this tactic, populous leader became Prime Minister once again. As witnessed previously under his tenure, impacts on democratic system will continue in its contradiction. Status of being world’s largest secular nation will shatter with the rise of Hindu nationalism. The government has increasingly been criticized as it has increasingly targeted the minorities, in particular, the Muslim population. Due to such negligence, Khalistan Movement began by the deprived Sikh population of Indian Punjab.  Limitations on freedom of media, inequality, human rights violation and fall of secularism are some of the factors that can continue under Modi’s third term and impact democracy in the nation.

Narendra Modi’s pursuit of a third term, as Prime Minister, stands poised to reshape the contours of Indian democracy. As the incumbent leader navigates the political landscape, his potential re-election carries profound implications for the nation’s democratic fabric. Modi’s leadership has been marked by transformative policies, economic reforms, and a strategic foreign policy agenda, all of which have left an inerasable imprint on India’s trajectory. However, amidst praises, critiques persist over issues of civil liberties, political plurality, and institutional autonomy. There is a concern regarding the erosion of democratic norms and the health of pluralistic discourse as power has been centralized.

Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister began in 2014 which had a profound impact on Indian democracy. His potential third term can further influence various aspects of democratic governance in India. Under his leadership, in the political landscape, consolidation of power within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been witnessed. Influence of the opposition party has been reduced. This centralization could become more pronounced in a third term, resultantly weakening the multi-party democratic system for which India is known for. Balance of power in India’s federal structure has been affected as central government has, many times, undermined state’s autonomy. Tensions have been witnessed between the central government and state government, particularly those not ruled by BJP. The government’s duty in judicial appointments, in particular through the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) and recurring tensions with the judiciary, highlights ongoing struggles over control and independence.

His third term reflects authoritarianism like other authoritarian leaders of the time like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Hindu nationalist politics has changed the characteristics of India’s secular democracy. In Indian history, no prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first premier, has won three consecutive terms. It is definite that Modi’s last two terms has brought the world’s most populous country close to an authoritarian political system.

The election campaign, which started from mid-April and ended on 1^st June this year, revolved around anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan ideologies. Modi’s vows about establishing a Hindu state has shattered secular identity of India. Coming to power again will empower the right-wing Hindu nationalists and this can effect democratic norms in India. Due to this, image of being world’s largest democracy is at threat. There exists fear for 250 million Muslim citizens due to political efforts of creating a Hindu supremacist country. Under such a state, Muslim citizens will have a second class status. Such a practice goes against democratic values of freedom, equality and human rights. A massive toll in humanitarian and aid sector has been witnessed under BJP’s rule. Religious freedom for minorities has been limited and dozens of incidents regarding attacks on Muslim population got reported. The abrogation of Article 370 on Kashmir’s autonomy is also an example of human right violation. There has an increasing concern about the minority rights due to policies like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). 101 days long Shaheen Bagh movement against such policies was violently suppressed. Third term, due to identity politics and such policies, can potentially further polarize the social fabric and deepen communal division by affecting national unity.

Freedom of speech and voices of minorities has also been suppressed. Allegations of press intimidation, suppression of dissenting voices, and increased censorship could continue or intensify, in turn impacting the media’s role as watchdog and a pillar of democracy. A third term might see further curbs on civil liberties, especially targeting dissent and minority community. Media outlets who criticized the government got raided like in the case of NDTV and arrests of journalists. The arrest and harassment of activists and dissenters could become more frequent, which can choke democratic engagement and activism. Furthermore, Modi’s government had been engaged in authoritarian reforms regarding labor laws and agriculture which have sparked massive protests. The concentration of decision-making authority in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has increased concerns about the erosion of federal structures. The centralization has undermined the autonomy of state government which can lead to imbalance in the federal polity.

BJP under Modi, for the first time needed support from its regional allies for winning the elections and it formulated National Democratic Alliance to gain enough seats. Through this tactic, populous leader became Prime Minister once again. As witnessed previously under his tenure, impacts on democratic system will continue in its contradiction. Status of being world’s largest secular nation will shatter with the rise of Hindu nationalism. The government has increasingly been criticized as it has increasingly targeted the minorities, in particular, the Muslim population. Due to such negligence, Khalistan Movement began by the deprived Sikh population of Indian Punjab.  Limitations on freedom of media, inequality, human rights violation and fall of secularism are some of the factors that can continue under Modi’s third term and impact democracy in the nation.