‘The Republic Relearnt’ by Radha Kumar: Democracy, decay and renewal

It is generally assumed that Indian democracy has had an unbroken run since Independence, with the brief disruption of the 1975–77 Emergency. In ‘The Republic Relearnt’, Radha Kumar challenges this belief. She points out that Indian democracy had been repeatedly punctured prior to that and it has been threatened many times since.

Advertisement

She punctuates the narrative with insightful analyses of historical disruptions and threats to democratic institutions, as she sheds light on the almost four decades of democracy decay following the republic’s founding years, contrasting them with the shorter-lived waves of democracy renewal. By examining these waves in detail, Kumar uncovers invaluable insights into the resilience and vulnerabilities of Indian democracy.

Kumar’s work not only diagnoses the ailments affecting India’s democratic fabric, but also offers a roadmap for its revitalisation, emphasising the need for collective introspection and proactive measures to safeguard democratic principles.

Kumar says that in the face of rising authoritarianism, it is imperative to reevaluate our understanding of democracy and draw inspiration from past experiences to fortify its foundations for future generations.

She hopes the book serves as a call to action, urging us to confront the challenges ahead with renewed vigour and a steadfast commitment to democratic ideals.