DONATE

Pratap Bhanu Mehta

< Distinguished speaker series

Event information

Pratap Bhanu Mehta

Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton

The Perilous State of Indian Democracy

DATE: July 20, 2022 6:00 pm

WATCH EVENT ON YOUTUBE

India will probably be the fastest growing big economy this year, thanks to its single market, an expanded infrastructure and tax reforms. Many ascribe the economic progress to Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister for the past eight years. 

But India’s political life appears to be going backwards, for the world’s biggest democracy is turning authoritarian. Politicians in the ruling Hindu Nationalist party regularly stir hatred against the country’s 200 million Muslims. The national and state parliaments act as rubber stamps that neither check nor balance the ruling BJP. The country’s Supreme Court mostly just looks on, and most of the media are in the government pocket. 

Our next distinguished speaker, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, says Indian democracy is in an “existential crisis”. He’s a former university vice-chancellor at India’s Ashoka University and has just completed a year as the Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton. He’s also taught at Harvard, India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University and the N.Y.U School of Law. He’s co-authored books on the Indian constitution, on India’s public institutions and politics in India, including the Oxford Companion to Politics in India.  He’s a columnist for the Indian Express. Professor Mehta is viewed by many as India’s leading independent thinker.

He will speak to the Baltimore Council on “The Perilous State of Indian Democracy” at noon on Wednesday July 20 via Live Feed. Note the time — noon EDT – as he’ll be speaking from New Delhi.  Please join us!

Background

Share:

Questions about the program?

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Be the First to Hear about Upcoming Speakers

The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs is purely a local organization in programming, governance and support.

Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin Spotify
Quick Links
Get In Touch

© BCFA All Rights Reserved.

Close

Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.