More than 400 Indian-origin students, researchers and alumni associated with universities across 27 countries have signed a statement titled ‘Spare India from Anarchy’, expressing concern over what they describe as attempts to undermine public confidence in India’s constitutional institutions and democratic processes.
The signatories have criticised what they characterise as anarchic street protests aimed at delegitimising democratic processes. They have warned against efforts to undermine constitutional democracy in the name of defending it, while urging political and social disagreements to be resolved through debate and established constitutional mechanisms.
The statement brings together individuals based in or educated across four continents, including countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Japan and South Korea.
Scholars From Leading Global Universities Sign Statement
The signatories include individuals affiliated with prominent academic institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Columbia University, the London School of Economics, the National University of Singapore, the University of Toronto and the University of Manchester, among others.
The statement clarifies that the institutional affiliations of those who signed it do not constitute an endorsement by their respective universities.
Reaffirming their faith in India’s democratic system, the academics said the country had demonstrated the resilience of its democracy over the seven decades since Independence. They maintained that constitutional institutions had developed and that democratic checks and balances continued to function.
The signatories said they were speaking as people who identify as Indians and have a stake in the country’s future, expressing anguish over developments they believe could weaken democratic institutions.
Concerns Over India’s Elections, Courts and Constitutional Institutions
In the statement, the signatories raised concerns about the growing politicisation of election outcomes, judicial decisions and public discourse surrounding constitutional institutions.
They criticised what they described as election denial, repeated questioning of constitutional institutions and the preference for taking political disputes to the streets instead of addressing them through Parliament and other established democratic channels.
According to the statement, unfavourable election results have prompted allegations about procedural integrity, while adverse judicial decisions have led to criticism of judicial independence.
The signatories also objected to what they described as the unnecessary involvement of the Armed Forces, which they characterised as an apolitical institution, in partisan political discourse.
They alleged that matters pending before courts were being used to raise doubts about Indian democracy, with narratives amplified through street protests. The statement argued that such actions were contradictory when undertaken in the name of protecting democracy.
These arguments reflect the signatories’ stated position on the country’s political environment.
Ambedkar’s Warning on Constitutional Methods
The statement invokes the views of Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, on the importance of constitutional methods in preserving democracy.
Citing Ambedkar’s warning that constitutional methods must be upheld and revolutionary methods abandoned, the signatories cautioned against accepting anarchy as an alternative to constitutional governance.
They argued that fraternity and the principles underlying the Constitution should not be displaced by methods that, in their view, weaken democratic institutions.
The appeal places constitutional procedures at the centre of its argument, stressing that disagreements are an inherent part of democracy but should be addressed through established democratic mechanisms.
Call to Resolve Differences Through Dialogue
The signatories acknowledged that dissent is an essential feature of democracy. However, they said they would not remain silent spectators to what they described as the subversion of democratic institutions in the name of defending them.
They expressed solidarity with democratic forces worldwide and rejected what they called regressive methods used to pursue narrow, self-serving objectives.
The statement calls on social and political forces to address concerns through debate, discussion, dialogue and dissent within the constitutional framework established by India’s founding leaders.
Titled ‘Spare India from Anarchy’, the appeal concludes with a call to protect constitutional democracy and resolve political differences through institutions rather than methods the signatories believe could undermine the democratic system.
