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.
Further Reading:
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TMC MP Mahua Moitra argued that India is already showing early signs of fascism.
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The fear of being visited by official investigative agencies and even being arrested can scare most people who may then decide that discretion is the better part of valour.
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Rana Ayyub’s post on India being a fascist state.
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Living in a woman’s body: hate has taken hold in India and I am restless with grief.
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Living through India’s pandemic: ‘Oxygen is the new currency’.