Comment – Dave Makkar

As India marks 77 years of independence, its democratic foundations face profound erosion. Critics describe a transition to an elected autocracy, sustained by an oligarchy of state-made billionaires. This elite has thrived on acquiring public assets—natural resources, spectrum, infrastructure—at concessional rates, financed by public-sector bank loans.

Social inequality now exceeds British-era levels. Public investment in healthcare, education, and employment remains inadequate, while spending on monumental statues and temples garners focus. Minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, along with marginalized castes, report escalating persecution.

The nation faces a severe environmental crisis, hosting the world’s highest number of polluted cities and widespread water insecurity. Concurrently, a perceived lack of governmental accountability contrasts with displays of political opulence. The republic stands at a precipice, its democratic promise challenged by centralization of power, rising majoritarianism, and acute socio-economic disparity.

At 77, India no longer functions as a full democracy but as an elected autocracy sustained by an oligarchic alliance. Political power is concentrated, institutions are weakened, and accountability has steadily eroded. India’s billionaires are largely state-made, having accumulated extraordinary wealth through preferential access to public assets—land, natural resources, minerals, oil, gas, spectrum, and infrastructure built with public funds—often acquired at throwaway prices and financed by massive loans from public-sector banks funded by citizens’ savings. Inequality today exceeds even that of the British Raj. Despite this, there is no comparable national investment in education, healthcare, or employment generation; public money flows instead toward grand statues, spectacles, and temple projects. Minorities—especially Muslims and Christians—as well as lower-caste Hindus face open discrimination and violence with little consequence. India hosts some of the world’s most polluted cities, unsafe drinking water, and deep environmental stress. Meanwhile, rulers live in opulence unprecedented even under colonial rule, detached from the lived reality of most citizens.