Democracy and Political Violence: The South Asian Experience

One-fourth population of the Earth live in South Asia and represents one of the most socially and politically diverse regions, covering long-establish democracy like India, hybrid regimes like Bhutan and states transitioning from authoritarian rule. Despite the wide spread adoption of democratic institutions like elections, constitutions, and representative governments after the Second World war, the region continues to experience persistent political violence. Ethnic conflicts, insurgencies, religious extremism, separatist movements, terrorism, wide spread electoral violence in the formation of the governments at all levels, dynastic rule have substantially shaped social and political landscape of the South Asia. The experience suggests that democratic institutions can not end political violence in South Asia unless accompanied by inclusive governance, socio-economic justice, the rule of law, effective state institutions, and protection of minority rights. Weak democratic consolidation, identity politics, political polarization, wide spread corruption, decline of old value system in the social and political life, inequality in economic development have contributed to persistent violence in South Asia. Political violence has been observed in everyday life in this region. Utilizing violence strategically in everyday politics for a long period by ruling and governing classes, it has become structural form in contemporary period in democracy in South Asia. The research experience further suggests that strengthening democratic institutions, peaceful political participation, protecting civil liberties and minority rights, enhancing regional cooperation are pre-conditions for ensuring sustainable democratic development in South Asia. The open panel will examine the complex relationship between democratic developments and political violence in South Asia by analyzing major experiences from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan.