Democracy in Debt in South Asia: Autocratic Rulers and People’s Resistance

'Democracy in Debt in South Asia: Autocratic Rulers and People’s Resistance - Bangladesh, Pakistan and India'
Three highly regarded South Asian public intellectuals and peace activists - Beena Sarwar from Pakistan, Mahfuz Anam from Bangladesh and Kanak Dixit from Nepal - discuss with Harsh Mander the profound and diverse threats and challenges to democracy in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. But they all affirm the longing of the people of each of these countries, and indeed of all of South Asia, for democracy.
They discuss the ways that the citizens of these countries have offered resistance to autocracies and military rule, through the ballot and by non-violent protests.

[@masudurrahman9313]

Mahfuz Anam you are also responsible for democratic backsliding of Bangladesh.

[@narutoshipper3872]

Absolutely 💯

[@narutoshipper3872]

Absolutely 💯

[@ImranAhmed-fv8rh]

True

[@subhradeepchakraborty2482]

as a leftist from India I had so far only dreamt of such a discussion between people of the subcontinent We need this to happen more often I would also love to see some youth Thanks so much Scroll❤

[@subhrajitgupta5535]

Cheers to Freedom for Bangladeshi people. Cheers from India

[@sadatislamkhan3707]

Bhai I am a bangladeshi, from the bottom of my heart thank you. past few days indians were calling us t*rrorist. your words brought tears. I dont blame common indians they were used by hasina(fallen dictator) to do corruption, my people associate india with hasina.

[@vimalsingh2776]

​@@sadatislamkhan3707 now go and eff Hindus . That's what you always wanted

[@adityabanerjee7145]

Please also free West Bengal from Momta's terror regime through protests

[@subhrajitgupta5535]

@@adityabanerjee7145 that's for people to vote and choose

[@alphaq1502]

@@adityabanerjee7145 Please also free india from Modi's terror regime through protests

[@lalitagpi]

Lalita Ramdas here..I have listened with deep attention and great delight to this excellent conversation between four amazing personalities …three of whom are personal friends, As one of the founding members of SAPAN …these are the initiatives, the dialogues and the constant revisiting we need to do. Thank you again…my late husband, a military man who turned into a peace activist would have loved this discussion today…till a few days before he passed in March this year, he was constantly concerned about our efforts to keep the pathways to people to people contact open among our people …and three days before he died he suddenly opened his eyes..called me to his side, caught my hand , and asked what is happening with India and Pakistan…are we talking?

[@yourdad602]

That is so wholesome

[@mayank9638]

Sorry to say so, but your late husband sounded like a "deluded coward", who might also be "corrupt" since we all know what kind of people subscribe to this "Aman ki Aasha" tamasha. No sane person who understands the dynamics of Pakistani politics and security establishment would talk utter BS as he did.

[@subhrajitgupta5535]

Fantastic discussion

[@revolutionist2468]

Practically and theoretically, India is still the only country in the Indian subcontinent/South Asia that has visible examples of democratic practices and systems. Conscious and educated people are essential in creating a culture of fair election process and transfer of power.

[@NazmulBhuiyan-ei2hk]

When the US was established it was only a democracy of the whites, but it was democracy according to them. Indians love democracy for themselves but want Bangladeshis to be ruled by a sadistic autocratic regime that is obedient to India. It’s called Hypocrisy.

[@vikmvc2446]

1951 - 8.6 Hindus per Muslims 2011 - 5.6 Hindus per Muslims Islam divided Bharat and once, this is a real danger for future

[@shahedkhan1908]

thats was a very meaningful & peaceful discussion. We are constantly bombarded with all hatred, shouting, nonsensical & unintellectual talk shows. So, this is breath of fresh air. There should be more & more discussions like this Between Southasian countries 💜

[@satishgupta5588]

Religion should be purely personal. It is always a problem if it is brought to public domain

[@chakravarthyrajagopalan3551]

1) Democracy is a platonic concept. It is like a father wanting to paint the house, where each member wants a different colour. At some point the father has to put his foot down and paint it white. That is why Indira Gandhi was autocratic. China is an autocratic success. 2) Indian religious tensions are an unfolding of colonialism, Christian and Islamic. BD and Pakistan can understand it, since they also broke away from India on religion. 3) India is 10 times the size of its neighbours. It is unfair to compare the exponential complexity of India with any small neighbour.

[@samarthbagwe1736]

Democracy is very much alive cannot say about our neighbours

[@sarathclalr1963]

Excellent interaction, must watch completely❤❤❤

[@koowasha]

What is democratic system? Decisions made my majority! How can you expect protection of minority in this system? So called civilized societies marginalize minorities in a subtle way. In South Asia it is obvious and raw. We need to rethink our systems based on empathy, by humanizing our rules. Humanize is better than ‘Institutionalize’!

[@mostafazaman1734]

This discussion is such a brearh of fresh air comparing the filthy, hateful and unintelligent spews by other Modi biased channels!! All the guests and host are very respectful, full of class and got elegant demenor. And compare them with Modi biased media. Couple of vengeanceful clowns jumping like buffoons with heart full of hatred and insane lies. Kudos to Scroll for arranging this healthy discussion for us sane people ❤

[@ruposrirai341]

Vengeanceful clowns jumping like buffoons with heart full of hatred and insane lies - 😅 love it... Perfectly described.

[@soumyadeep_365]

young people should also participate in such discussion!! Brilliant discussion ❤❤

[@NiazHJafri]

I am sending my love to all four of you & Scroll. More & more of it in the future please. ❤❤❤ Sincere prayers for the everlasting peace amongst all the nations of our South Asia !!! 🤲🤲🤲 Aameen, Elaahi Aameen

[@revelmedry]

After reflecting on this discussion, i would like to point out my ideas too. 1). South Asian nations still maintain the democrecy on their speachers, on documents, rather than on minds of the politicians and the people of this area. 2). there is no democretic structures and institutions, that effectively guiding its people. 3) very handfull of role moddles. 4) Innability of challenge the religeous, cultural, traditional values and social system. 5) education on democrecy. 6) Indian interference in all aspect of the area.

[@abhisheklodh]

Fantastic discussion... Mahfouz Sahab is so perfectly put it.

[@mddipto6850]

Lovely conversation

[@deepdive259]

They had no problem with majoritarism until Hindus started talking.

[@barunmitra8778]

What is critical to appreciate is that the individual is the smallest minority in any society and community.

[@anwarshas5825]

Autocratic is showing that monarchy in curtain ovf democracy, not only congress but also in other parties of india pakistan Bangladesh srilanka nepal.

[@RubelHossain-i5y]

Wonderful discussion

[@rakibsunseenstory4389]

This conversation is a revoulation. It is helping to gather collective information about the democracy in South Asia. I expect more shows like this.

[@abhisheklodh]

Mahfuz Sahab about secularism and India Hindu aspiration is spot on. By the modi is not autocratic leadership i think. Mahfuz sir made the right analysis with growth of Hindutva. Also people feel demographics will change and result in some mishap like in 1947. Very good overall discussion.

[@MrJamshedakhtar]

respect of constituion and justice for all

[@sutirthhadas]

I had to double check....Harsh Mandar talking about......democracy??😂 Jokes just write themselves 🤡

[@saapitkaaliya6768]

65 year one family rule in India is democracy..or autocracy

[@Tom-zy4dj]

If you have friends like India, you don't need enemies.

[@saapitkaaliya6768]

Yes . Stay away radical Islamist

[@razrian1]

Mahfuz anam, i disagree to your statement that we couldn't deal with minorities , could you substantiate your views with evidence compare to the other nations including india . Minorities have no issues with mass people it is the awami league who plays the minority or hindu card to take advantage of their political benefit . Not any other party play that card like as awami league did in the past until they were oust by the mass movement . Kindly do not try to please any group just keep any agenda behind

[@farukchoudhury934]

It is a surprise that Indians do not know how Hasina behaved. Hasina was obeying the Indian dictates.

[@AryaArsh]

Brainwashing 😂

[@subhrajitgupta5535]

Not all, but some of us know.

[@adityabanerjee7145]

Is not what you said self contradictory - Indians do not know....but India was dictating ...

[@sourabhraj2011]

Bangali panalist hi only itellectual hai

[@lalitabhattacharjee9051]

We need to move beyond religious tolerance and should practise religious acceptance!

[@Murga_XXX_Murgi]

Hindu Bengali girls love muslim men 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@deepdive259]

Thwre is no hate campaign against minority.Majority is e pressing itself when it feels that minorities are specially treated.We are asking for equal treatment. Frankly lndians and bjp wants equality.Since you deal with minorities with kid gloves and ignoring hindus as if we don't matter,we will speak up n we must.lt is also our right to express n not hatred.

[@drrmdebnath8356]

Autocratic rulers,,so also autocratic media owners..therefore social media...harharmahadev...demo gives right to majority to suppress minority everywhere .

[@razrian1]

Mahfuz, we are the most tolerant people in the south asia region in terms of minority issue. You say land grabbing of minorities! don't you think its not only minorities are sufferer of land grabbers muslims too are also victims of land grabbers , so, pls correct your statement . If you consider how many hindus are well placed in bangladesh compare to our neighbour as per popuation ratio. where muslims india are prosecuted , raped and lynched in different times because they are muslims . We are much better in terms of looking after our minorities than any other country in south asia .

[@MrJamshedakhtar]

only if we can learn from history

[@ASIFKARACHI1988]

Until we get kashmir...we will give free pass to our Army.

[@sharierprotik7620]

ক্ষমা করবেন সার বাকশাল বাদ পড়ে গেছে।

[@NazmulBhuiyan-ei2hk]

I am not very optimistic about Bangladesh mainly because no matter which party comes to power in India, no Indian government will accept a prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh where there is no sectarianism, because such a Bangladesh will inspire West Bengal to annex with Bangladesh and also inspire separatist aspirations in 7 sisters. As I see it India is not anything different from the British who used religion to divide and rule. Few weeks ago a BJP party official made open threats to Muslims, saying he would go into a mosque and shoot Muslims, and till now he hasn’t been rebuked by BJP or Indian mass media. I challenge everyone one of you to show a video of any Jamate Islami party official saying anything negative about minorities, let alone threatening them.

[@deepdive259]

Actually, you should try to do that.l am not sure if West bengal,who are by far very intellectual ,would like to join bengaline.May be USA n China might like to join Bengladesh😂.

[@NazmulBhuiyan-ei2hk]

@@deepdive259 you laughing as if 7 sisters together have a bigger economy than Bangladesh or things are really peaceful in Manipur.

[@mohammadfarooqshah3796]

Forget about ďemoçracy we in Kashmir are fighting for our existence.

[@bikashkr.choudhary4572]

Kasmiri pandits are also fighting for their rights against majoritarian....

[@deepdive259]

Kashmir pandits left their home and property to save their lives.These people who discriminate based on religion accuse the other of the same.

[@rijudatta18]

Urban Naxals talking about democracy is the biggest farce😂😂

[@MrJamshedakhtar]

quran has instructions of minority. Prophet administered those minority

[@dineshsirso1012]

Sorry guys, you want certificate of democracy from West.

[@ashutoshpandeyz4508]

Naxalite talking about democracy

[@lonestar993]

Mr Mahfuz very cleverly or tactfully avoided on sad historical event that democracy was killed by military first and then by political parties. But I beg to differ with him saying democracy in Bangladesh was first killed by Sheikh Mujubur Rahman when he banned all political parties and newspapers when he came out with the idea of BAKSHAL which is no way close to democracy rather a one party state like Russia, China and North Korea. When you block the way of peaceful transition of power through democratic process then what is the result we have experienced in 1975 through killing of Sheikh Mujub and in 2024 by Sheikh Hasina fleeing her own country like a coward political leader after the mass uprisings.

[@NazmulBhuiyan-ei2hk]

How could we have peaceful democratic transfer of power under Sheikh Mujib when he was banning opposition parties. Can you please tell us yourself what happened to Jasod?

[@vikasreddy7647]

It was Brahminism that the oppressed, humanists and secularists were fighting not Hinduism as it is understood by everyday Indians.

[@opusrk3052]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="130">2:10</a> 😂😂😂

[@mdnazmulhasan9696]

4 raw agents in one frame from different state.

[@guntakameswararao3185]

Nehru didn't allow communal clashes till his death. But now we don't have such prime ministers. Nehru 's secularism was not accidental but by hardwork. So now india is in danger.

[@cogito9350]

Naah he just took the worst possible communal policy , despite being a political genius in many aspects , he loose many times to his vanity mindset , he could have choose the free speech space path , the uniform civil law , strict rule for law. He had done many brilliant things but missed out on critical issues special the factors which lead to the divisions , nehru chhose to ignore ambedkar visions on social issues which could have put India into diff pedestle just to get politics right

[@adityabanerjee7145]

Nehru sat with Jinnah to divide Bharat Mata on religious lines - and then came back to teach secularism to Hindus.... thank got the ass whole is no more

[@kishm1724]

Isn't Democracy a colonial legacy and the LAST BUT BIGGEST BRAIN WASHING OF THE BRITISH which you guys are so entrenched in and cannot seem to come out of

[@rtam9894]

bring back mughal era heh

[@dinesh6489]

So u want king rule or GOD rule 😂😂

[@dinesh6489]

Subscribera Republic tv 😂😂 What u r doing here😂😂

[@kishm1724]

@rtam9894 we will bring way better Sanskrit speaking CAPITALISTIC True Hindu dictator of India KALKI who will make India number one, all this places they are discussing AKAND BHARAT from Istanbul to Beijing and the entire world Hindu Take a listen kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnjWqGWhlKmIhNUsi=E_wWhdpVX65qVcFs I KALKI the upcoming Sanskrit speaking CAPITALISTIC TRUE HINDU DICTATOR OF INDIA!!??!!

[@deepasmitlenka7682]

​​@@dinesh6489you subscribe some comedy show because your ideals are fake 😂😂😂 everyday ... Muslim muslim muslim.... They will progress india by doing muslim muslim... Muslims are in danger... Stop crying bro

[@HRC294]

Please remind Harsh Mander that the darkest phase of Indian democracy was from 1975 to 1977! The issues he raises regarding India today are either utter BS or beautifully wrapped propaganda. On every metric India has done better in the last 10 years and will continue to do so because democracy is thriving notwithstanding the opinion of Mandar. This is simply an exercise to pull India down to the levels of basket cases like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Kudos! PS: Just a reminder to everyone that Harsh Mander, who is spouting various virtues, is the chief architect of the proposed Communal Violence Prevention Bill. The bill must be made a study case in poli science courses in the subcontinent on how to hide your bigotry using the sheen of sophistry.

[@yashagrawal88]

India has done better in last 10 years? Good joke!

[@HRC294]

​@@yashagrawal88 What else can one expect from the likes of you who do not like data just because it is in favor of the side you don't like. Saw your profile. You are a Medha Patkar fan. Medha Patkar said that water will never reach the people through the Narmada project. Did it happen? Paani aaya?

[@soumyadeep_365]

tatti comment 💩 💩 We are leftists..... any problem?? 🙂😀

[@___SillyBoy]

Like India helped us to divide for the Bangladesh country In 1971, 🙂 So now We Bangladeshi should also support India in the same way for monipur To divide the country.😑

[@darthvader-ty6mq]

Self proclaimed silly boy being silly.

[@NazmulBhuiyan-ei2hk]

We can’t help Manipur. Internet has been shut down and the central government declared curfew. Moreover Manipuris who are in armed forces have been cleverly deployed in other parts of India. Let’s just focus on our own country and work together with everyone in Bangladesh to make our country a better place to live than India for everyone in our country. We can’t follow divide and rule policy of BJP, that means not treating minorities like 2nd class citizens. As Muslims we say Salam, which means peace, and say Bismillah, which means in the name of Allah most merciful and exceptionally merciful. So we need to reflect on these two words “peace” and “mercy” and act on them.

[@lalitagpi]

Lalita Ramdas here..I have listened with deep attention and great delight to this excellent conversation between four amazing personalities …three of whom are personal friends, As one of the founding members of SAPAN …these are the initiatives, the dialogues and the constant revisiting we need to do. Thank you again…my late husband, a military man who turned into a peace activist would have loved this discussion today…till a few days before he passed in March this year, he was constantly concerned about our efforts to keep the pathways to people to people contact open among our people …and three days before he died he suddenly opened his eyes..called me to his side, caught my hand , and asked what is happening with India and Pakistan…are we talking?

[@abhisheklodh]

Super discussion