At least 161 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded in India in the first 75 days of 2024, according to a report. This surge in attacks comes as the country prepares for parliamentary elections.

The United Nations has expressed hope for the protection of political and civil rights in India’s forthcoming national elections, emphasising the importance of a free and fair voting atmosphere. The statement comes in the context of recent political developments, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of the opposition Congress Party’s bank accounts.

India’s recent economic growth has led to a pronounced increase in income and wealth inequality, surpassing levels observed during British rule, according to a new study by the World Inequality Lab and as reported by Article 14. The research indicates that the concentration of wealth in India is now more severe than in countries like the United States, Brazil and South Africa, with the top 1% of the population holding a disproportionately large share of the nation’s wealth.

The Indian government’s recent move to assign satellite spectrum through administrative order, bypassing competitive auctions, has ignited controversy, reminiscent of the 2G spectrum scam that once rocked the nation. The decision, encapsulated in a new telecom law, has raised eyebrows, especially in light of substantial electoral bond donations to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by Bharti Enterprises, the largest shareholder of Eutelsat OneWeb, the sole beneficiary of the spectrum allocation so far.

The Supreme Court has asked trial courts to exercise caution when issuing pre-trial injunctions that prevent the publication of media articles, emphasising the potential infringement on the rights to publish and to be informed. The guidance came as the Court addressed the misuse of litigation, particularly by economically powerful entities, to obstruct public access to information on matters of public interest, often referred to as Strategic Litigation against Public Participation (SLAPP).

The hunger strike by environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh is a call for legislative and ecological reform in India. Wangchuk, who was on the 21st day of his fast on March 26, is advocating for Ladakh’s statehood and “nature representatives” in Parliament so that ecological concerns have a voice in the country’s highest policymaking body.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 27.19 billion rupees, or 93% of the total 29.02 billion rupees donated to 13 political parties through electoral bonds between April 12 and May 10, 2019, as per the Election Commission of India’s data released on March 21, The Wire reports.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case tied to an alleged liquor policy scam, has contested his arrest in the Delhi High Court. Meanwhile, the German government commented on the situation, which led a formal protest from India.

In a general election, voters must carefully examine how various political parties plan to address major national concerns, including economic policies, national security and international relations. Voters should also critically evaluate whether their lives and those of their family members have improved or worsened, and to determine whether the policies proposed by any political entity prioritise the common good or are mainly self-serving.

The Congress Party has accused the government of freezing its bank accounts, hindering its campaign efforts for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party says this move undermines democracy in the country.

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced on March 16, establishing guidelines for the behaviour of the government, political parties, candidates and the media to guarantee free and fair elections. It specifically tackles the use of religion in election campaigns, understanding which is essential for us to identify and report any infractions.

A collaborative media report shows the financial advantages of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly through electoral bonds, just weeks before India’s general election. The BJP justifies its substantial financial intake as being proportionate to its share in Parliament. However, the question arises: does this argument hold up under democratic scrutiny?

Thirty-five pharmaceutical companies in India have channelled nearly 10 billion rupees crore into political parties through electoral bonds, with at least seven under investigation for substandard drugs during their purchase, according to a media report, which raises concerns about the influence of the pharmaceutical sector on political and regulatory environments.

Companies previously marked as “high risk” for violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were subsequently removed from the list after purchasing substantial amounts of electoral bonds, according to an investigation by The Wire. The revelation adds a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the electoral bond scheme, which has been criticised for lacking transparency and favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), now in effect in India, facilitates citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The government claims that Muslims are exempt from this provision because these Muslim-majority countries do not subject Muslims to persecution. However, this claim neglects the reality of severe religious persecution of Muslim minorities within these nations.

A significant number of companies, previously raided by central agencies, have been found purchasing electoral bonds in large amounts. This information has come after the Election Commission of India (ECI) disclosed political donations revealing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the primary beneficiary, weeks before the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

A New Delhi-based electoral trust has raised $272 million through major Indian corporations over the last 10 years and directed about 75% of the amount to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to Reuters, which raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of political funding in India, especially in the context of the upcoming general election.

The Bombay High Court has passed an interim order on the 2023 Information Technology (IT) Rules Amendment, particularly Rule 3(1)(b)(v), which has significant implications for freedom of expression. This rule empowers the government to establish a Fact Check Unit (FCU) and unilaterally declare online content related to the government’s business as fake, false, or misleading, which has raised concerns about potential censorship and the impact on free speech.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has told the Supreme Court that Gautam Navlakha, a human rights activist arrested in August 2018 in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case, must pay 16.4 million rupees for his house arrest expenses, as reported by Scroll.in.

The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the right to free speech, stating that a citizen cannot be prosecuted for criticising government actions or extending good wishes to citizens of another country, such as Pakistan, on their independence day. The division bench, comprising Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, underlined the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.