Early Signs of Fascism Can be Seen in India

2022-02-25

TMC MP Mahua Moitra argued that India is already showing early signs of fascism.

Let’s check India against The 12 Early Warning Signs of Fascism:

1. Powerful and continuing nationalism

This is very visible in India. For example, Devendra Fadnavis said, “If you want to live in this country, you have to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. National pride has now become interlinked with a deep, visceral hatred for people identified as anti-nationals – secularists, liberals, beef-eaters, Muslims, immigrants and critics of the government.

This rise in nationalism is also used as a political tool to distract people from the real issues.

2. Disdain for human rights

Here is the report by Human Rights Watch to show the disdain for human rights that Indian government has.

3. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause

This article covers this part. Dissent is “anti-national” in Modi’s India. They also claim everything is a foreign conspiracy to defame India.

4. Supremacy of the military

5. Rampant sexism

Modi is mysogynist and sexist. Another BJP person launched sexist remarks at Priyanka Gandhi.

Even the beti bachao abhiyaan is deeply patriarichal.

6. Controlled mass media

This sign is present everywhere in India. Most of the Indian media is controlled by the government and parrots their propaganda. Control of mass media was a huge factor in declaring India an electoral autocracy by a Swedish institute.

Indian government also has a full team to monitor how media covers Modi and Amit Shah. The government has their own sophisticated app to manipulate social media trends.

7. Obsession with national security

India is highly obsessive with national security, even Rohingya Muslim refugees labelled a threat to national security for India by Modi.

8. Religion and government intertwined

Can be seen pretty clearly.

9. Corporate power protected

For example, Adani power project was on the brink of bankruptcy – but the BJP government in Gujarat saved it. Even the Union government was complicit in a decision that will result in consumers in the state paying higher electricity prices.

10. Labor power suppressed

For example, this.

11. Disdain for intellectual and the arts

This sign is clearly visible too.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment

For example, extrajudicial killings in UP by the BJP’s Yogi Adityanath.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption

14. Fraudlent Elections

EVM tampering demonstrated by an AAP MLA.

India is going through unique challenges. Nobody knows the outcome of the actions of the fascist state. This uncertainty contributes to fear. See this list for how BJP is tearing India apart. There is hope due to farmers' movement and other mass protests in response to CAA bill, which is a huge discrimination against Muslims. There is hope due to India still conducting elections and that means there is a chance to change the government. The presence of these signs fill many Indians with fear.