Is India’s Democracy Backsliding?

 

As the world’s largest democracy, India takes pride in its vibrant civil society, free media, and free and fair elections. The general election of 2019 witnessed the highest voter turnout in country’s history, with higher number of women casting their vote than ever before. At the same time, we are reading troubling reports on harassment of minorities, shrinking civic space and introduction of discriminatory legislation. In their recent Global State of Democracy Report, International IDEA points out India's "democratic backsliding". The report provides data showing negative trends on several indicators, among them Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association and Assembly and Impartial Administration. Join us in conversation with the authors of the report on state of India's democracy. The seminar is co-organized by UI and International IDEA.

Programme

14:00 Registration and coffee

14:30 State of Democracy in India - key takeaways, Leena Rikkilä Tamang, Director of Asia and the Pacific Region, International IDEA

15:00-15:30 Conversation between Henrik Chetan Aspengren (UI) and Leena Rikkilä Tamang and Annika Silva Leander (International IDEA)

15:30-16:30 Roundtable discussion

Welcome!