NEW DELHI, April 8 -- In a democracy, the opposition's voices are not just part of the system but its lifeblood. They are crucial in ensuring accountability, fostering debate, and safeguarding citizens' rights. Trends suggesting a troubling narrative of stifling dissent and marginalising opposing viewpoints are nothing recent. However, the government doubling down on its tactics does look suspicious.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has increasingly employed various tactics to suppress opposition. Hounding party leadership using central agencies is its hot favourite. The recent exodus of members from the AAP and the Congress, even if they did not immediately join the BJP, smells of its involvement. Employed together with the financial ch...