Maroc - EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 30/Mar 19:38

Why Liberalism Keeps Losing In India – OpEd

Indian liberalism today finds itself in a curious paradox. Its ideas like individual freedom, constitutional morality, pluralism, and social reform are, in theory, widely admired. Yet, electorally and culturally, liberal politics continues to underperform against a resurgent right wing that has successfully embedded itself into the emotional and aspirational fabric of the electorate. The question, then, is not whether liberalism has merit, but why it struggles to win in India. At the heart of this disconnect lies a question of cultural grounding. For a vast majority of Indians, identity is beyond an abstract construct. In fact, identity  is lived through a deep attachment to nation and religion. These are emotional anchors. Any ideology that appears dismissive of these anchors risks alienating the very people it seeks to influence. Indian liberal discourse, especially in its urban and elite articulation, often comes across as sceptical of both nationalism and religiosity. Even if critiques are at times valid, the tone frequently feels deracinated, if not outright dismissive. Contrast this with the right wing’s approach. It rarely positions itself as being in conflict with the cultural instincts of the average Indian. Instead, it amplifies them. The language of “civilisational pride”, “cultural resurgence”, and “national destiny” resonates because it affirms rather than questions identity. In politics, affirmation is often more powerful than interrogation. A second challenge for liberalism is its perception problem of elitism and condescension. Political messaging is as much about tone as it is about content. Liberal arguments, particularly on social media and in English-language discourse, often adopt a pedagogical tone that is seeking to “educate” rather than engage. This can easily be perceived as patronising. When political communication slips into a binary of “enlightened versus backward,” it closes the door on persuasion. Liberal spaces in India are disproportionately urban, English-speaking, and institutionally insulated. Their concerns do not always align with the everyday anxieties of a rural or small-town voter. Issues like livelihood, local governance, and economic mobility often take a backseat to more abstract debates on ideology and rights. The result is a widening gap between what liberals prioritise and what voters experience. Equally significant is liberalism’s struggle with aspiration. Politics is about offering a vision of the future. Here, the right wing has demonstrated a keen understanding of mass psychology. It offers a story – of a strong nation, a reclaimed heritage, and a decisive state. Whether or not this vision is fully grounded in reality is almost secondary, but it provides a sense of direction and pride. In contrast, Liberal politics often leans heavily on critique of institutions, policies, and social structures. While critique is essential in a democracy, it cannot substitute for a compelling narrative of progress. A politics that primarily tells people what is wrong, without articulating what could be right, risks appearing pessimistic. As electoral history repeatedly shows, aspiration mobilises and admonition alienates. For instance, in the 2014 and 2019 general elections in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaigns were built not just on governance promises but on a broader narrative of transformation – “Achhe Din”, a “New India”, and global recognition. The messaging was simple, emotive, and forward-looking. The opposition often appeared reactive, focused on countering claims rather than setting the agenda. Another structural limitation is liberalism’s fragmentation. Unlike the relatively cohesive ideological framework of the right, Indian liberalism is spread across multiple parties, movements, and intellectual traditions. From centrist constitutionalism to left-leaning progressivism, the spectrum is broad and often internally divided. This lack of coherence makes it difficult to present a unified political alternative. Moreover, liberalism in India has not fully resolved its relationship with tradition. In many Western democracies, liberal movements have evolved to accommodate cultural identity while advocating reform. They critique their societies from within, not from a perceived distance. In India, however, liberal discourse sometimes appears to operate outside the cultural mainstream, drawing heavily from global frameworks that may not always translate seamlessly into local contexts. This does not mean that liberalism is irrelevant to India. On the contrary, its core principles are embedded in the Constitution and remain essential to the country’s democracy. The challenge is not ideological validity but political translation. For liberalism to regain ground, it must reimagine its engagement with Indian society. This involves three shifts. First, a move from dismissal to dialogue – engaging with religion and nationalism not as adversaries but as realities that can be shaped and reinterpreted. Second, a recalibration of tone – from instruction to conversation, recognising that persuasion requires empathy. And third, the articulation of a positive, aspirational vision that speaks to both dignity and development. The enduring lesson of Indian politics is simple: ideas do not win elections in isolation, stories do. The right wing has mastered the art of storytelling. Liberalism, if it hopes to remain politically relevant, must learn to tell a story of its own – one that is rooted in India’s realities, respectful of its identities, and hopeful about its future.