More than 400 Indian-origin academics from 27 countries have issued a joint appeal urging India to preserve its democratic institutions and avoid descending into disorder through protests. The statement, titled “Spare India from Anarchy,” expresses serious concern over trends they say threaten India’s constitutional framework and democratic credibility.
## Global scholars raise alarm bells
The letter has been signed by over 400 individuals—including students, researchers, and alumni—spread across four continents. They are currently studying or working in nations like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Israel, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and the Philippines.
These scholars represent prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, Columbia University, the London School of Economics (LSE), National University of Singapore, Seoul National University, University of Toronto, and University of Manchester. The statement clarifies that their individual university affiliations do not imply endorsement by those institutions.
## Main concerns: democracy, institutions, and protests
The signatories voice alarm over what they perceive as growing efforts to undermine democratic norms in India. Key issues they raise include:
– Election outcomes being questioned on grounds of procedural integrity.
– Judicial decisions leading to criticism over the independence of the judiciary.
– Political discourse around constitutional institutions becoming increasingly politicized.
– The involvement of India’s armed forces—traditionally apolitical—in partisan matters.
– Increased reliance on street protests to express political disagreement rather than using parliamentary or constitutional mechanisms.
They argue that matters before the courts are being used to cast doubt on democratic institutions. They claim that narratives emerging from judicial or electoral events are amplified through protests, often under the claim that they defend democracy.
## Invoking Ambedkar’s warning
The statement draws on the teachings of Dr BR Ambedkar, the principal architect of India’s Constitution. It references his warning that constitutional methods must always be preserved and that revolutionary or extra-constitutional approaches cannot be substitutes. They caution against growing acceptance of anarchy “as an alternative” to constitutional governance.
## Upholding dissent through constitutional channels
While dissent is acknowledged as essential in any democracy, the signatories make clear they will not stand by silently as they perceive democratic norms being eroded in the name of defending democracy. They advocate for political disagreements to be addressed via established systems—through debate, dialogue, discussion, institutional checks—rather than protest or street action.
They urge social and political actors to engage with opposing views and resolve conflicts within India’s constitutional structures. Their stance reflects deep concern as Indians abroad intimately invested in India’s future.
## Faith in India’s democratic resilience
The letter reaffirms the belief that India’s democratic system has proven resilient since independence. The signatories contend that over seven decades, constitutional institutions have matured, democratic processes have held up, and checks and balances have functioned in governance.
Through their statement, they appeal for disagreements to be managed through proper constitutional channels rather than methods that they hold as potentially harmful to India’s long-standing democratic foundation.
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