India’s human rights record has become a contentious topic, drawing criticism from international advocacy groups and raising questions about its claim to being the world’s largest democracy. Despite positioning itself as a global democratic leader, India has faced growing scrutiny over alleged violations of civil liberties, particularly under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. This tension was evident during a recent discussion at London’s Chatham House, where India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, faced pointed questions about the country’s human rights situation.
During the event, Jaishankar addressed a range of topics, including India’s role in global affairs, its stance on Ukraine and the Middle East, and its economic strategies. However, when the conversation turned to human rights, his demeanor shifted. Initially dismissive, Jaishankar described the concerns as “politically motivated,” but moderator Bronwen Maddox pressed him to engage more substantively. She highlighted the growing unease about India’s human rights record, particularly under the BJP’s decade-long rule.
Jaishankar’s response was mixed. While he acknowledged that no country is perfect and admitted that some issues might need addressing, he quickly defended India’s overall record. “We listen to these concerns,” he said, “but I would argue that India has a very strong human rights record. As a credible democracy where people still have faith—growing faith, in fact—any sweeping concerns about human rights are misplaced.” He emphasized India’s democratic credentials, arguing that the state treats its citizens fairly and that the country remains a beacon of democracy in the region.
However, his defense contrasts sharply with the findings of numerous advocacy groups. Just a month before the Chatham House event, organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders sent a joint letter to the European Union, outlining what they described as a “profound” human rights crisis in India. The letter accused the BJP government of undermining democratic institutions, suppressing dissent, and targeting minorities, raising serious questions about India’s commitment to civil liberties.
Claudio Francavilla, Associate Director for EU advocacy at Human Rights Watch, echoed these concerns in an interview with *The Express Tribune*. He acknowledged Jaishankar’s point about human rights challenges in India’s neighborhood but stressed that this does not excuse India’s own shortcomings. “Respect for human rights should be a race to the top, not to the bottom,” Francavilla said. He criticized the Indian government’s tendency to dismiss criticism as politically motivated, arguing that such an approach fails to address the well-documented abuses reported by civil society, international NGOs, and UN experts.
Francavilla also challenged Jaishankar’s portrayal of India as a leading democracy, stating that a true democratic leader should set an example through its actions. “A ‘leading democracy’ should act as one,” he said. “Its stature will be judged not by the size of its elections, but by its treatment of minorities, critics, and journalists, and by the health of its democratic institutions.” He pointed to the Modi government’s track record, both at the national level and during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister, as evidence of systemic repression and discrimination.
Francavilla called on India to take concrete steps to address these issues, including releasing individuals imprisoned for peaceful dissent, allowing civil society to operate freely, and inviting UN experts to assess the situation. “Persistent repression and blanket dismissal of concerns are the opposite of how a leading democracy should behave,” he concluded.
The debate over India’s human rights record highlights a growing disconnect between its global aspirations and its domestic realities. While Jaishankar sought to project India as a rising power with a strong democratic foundation, the persistent concerns about civil liberties and institutional erosion suggest that the country’s democratic credentials remain under scrutiny. As India continues to assert its influence on the global stage, its ability to address these criticisms will be crucial in shaping its international reputation.
