davidoks.blog/p/why-china-got-rich-and-india-didnt
1 correction found
throughout its entire post-independence period India maintained open elections, an independent judiciary, and a free press.
This is incorrect because India’s 1975–1977 Emergency suspended normal democratic safeguards: elections were postponed, the press was censored, and judicial review was weakened.
Full reasoning
India did not maintain those institutions continuously throughout its whole post-independence history. During the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, press freedom and civil liberties were sharply curtailed, and elections were delayed.
Concrete evidence:
- A History.com summary of the period says Gandhi "declared a state of emergency throughout India, imprisoned thousands of political opponents, and restricted personal freedoms," and that in 1977 "long-postponed national elections were held." That directly contradicts the claim that India maintained open elections throughout the entire period.
- An official Press Information Bureau factsheet states that during the Emergency Parliament passed amendments that "weakened judicial review and institutional checks" and that the Shah Commission later examined "press censorship" during the period. That directly contradicts the claim that India maintained both an independent judiciary and a free press throughout its entire post-independence history.
- A separate official PIB release marking the Emergency’s anniversary notes that the Supreme Court ruled the Emergency declaration was "not open to judicial review," further underscoring that judicial independence/checks were not maintained in the way the article claims.
So the sentence is too absolute: whatever one thinks of India’s broader democratic record, the Emergency is a clear counterexample.
3 sources
- Indira Gandhi convicted of election fraud | HISTORY
In response, she declared a state of emergency throughout India, imprisoned thousands of political opponents, and restricted personal freedoms in the country... In 1977, long-postponed national elections were held.
- Factsheet Details | Press Information Bureau
Parliament passed a series of constitutional amendments during the Emergency that weakened judicial review and institutional checks... The Commission examined the misuse of government power, preventive detentions, press censorship, and the sterilisation campaign.
- Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court — the highest court of the land — got eclipsed... It ruled, it decided two things– Emergency declaration thereof is a decision of the Executive, not open to judicial review.