Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, ahead of the launch of his book Democracy’s Heartland, described recent events in Nepal as proof of a “vibrant democracy” rather than signs of anarchy. He said that student-led protests, particularly by the country’s youth, demonstrated a demand for “more genuine and honest democracy.” While acknowledging Nepal’s history of instability—five prime ministers in five years and seven constitutions over seven decades—he praised the 2015 Constitution for empowering women and noted that the recent demonstrations settled quickly, reinforcing democratic resilience.
Quraishi cautioned that governments must exercise extreme care in regulating social media, which has become inseparable from daily life. Referring to Nepal’s temporary ban on certain platforms, he argued that while the government may have sought compliance from unregistered platforms, it underestimated how essential social media was, especially for the 10 percent of Nepalese living abroad who rely on it for communication with families. The lesson, he stressed, is not to take the youth for granted and never to tinker recklessly with liberties.
Turning to India, Quraishi offered a sobering assessment. In his book, he contends that India is drifting toward an “illiberal democracy,” with worrying signs of authoritarianism, majoritarianism, suppression of dissent, and media control. He alleged that the government uses both coercion and influence to subdue independent journalism and dissenting voices, calling it “not a healthy sign.” While recognizing India’s strengths—smooth electoral transitions for 75 years and elections conducted with precision—he warned that self-praise must not overshadow honest introspection about the erosion of democratic freedoms.
On the wider SAARC region, Quraishi said India must play the role of an “elder brother” rather than a “big brother,” supporting weaker democracies with sensitivity. He was sharply critical of Pakistan, describing its democracy as “the weakest,” dominated by the military despite elected governments. In contrast, he praised Nepal’s army for not exploiting instability to seize power. About Bangladesh, he noted its history of coups and dominance by two political leaders, cautioning that Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian streak showed how public backlash eventually builds up against such tendencies.
Globally, Quraishi admitted democracy has faced backsliding, but he struck a note of optimism, pointing to its resilience in many parts of the world. For South Asia, he expressed hope that, despite setbacks, democratic norms would eventually prevail and strengthen across the region.
