India, March 31 -- The V-Dem observations about India, as reported in The Hindu, point out, "Noting that almost all components of democracy were getting worse in more countries than they were getting better, the report singled out freedom of expression, clean elections, and freedom of association/civil society as the three worst affected components in autocratising countries." It aptly summarises the ground reality in India. To cap it all, India is seeing the worst treatment of its minorities. The RSS-BJP combine has lately resorted to using Hindu Festivals/Congregations as yet another tool to intimidate the minorities. This was amply witnessed in the pattern of Ram Navami Celebrations, the Holi celebrations and the Kumbh congregation.

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