Answer:

India became a sovereign nation (1947), while Bangladesh was established (1971) after its separation from Pakistan. Although both countries share a common colonial heritage, their developmental paths have diverged significantly. Recent turmoil in Bangladesh provides a stark contrast to India’s enduring political stability. This divergence can be attributed to various factors, including differing political cultures, leadership dynamics, and institutional development trajectories.

Factors Contributing to India’s Resilience Against Political Instability:

• Robust Constitutional Framework: India’s Constitution provides a robust structure for democratic governance, ensuring a balance of power among the branches of government .
  For example: The landmark Kesavananda Bharati case reinforced the judiciary’s role in protecting the Constitution’s basic structure from amendments that could undermine democratic principles.
• Effective Civil-Military Relations: India maintains a strict doctrine of civilian control preventing military overreach into governance.
  For instance: India’s unbroken record of civilian governance, free from military coups, stands in stark contrast to Bangladesh, which has seen multiple military takeovers disrupting its political stability.
• Vibrant Multi-Party System: India’s electoral system supports a multi-party structure that enhances democratic resilience by preventing the monopolization of power.
  For instance: India’s successful coalition governments, featuring diverse regional parties, highlight its political system’s strength and adaptability, unlike Bangladesh’s one-party dominance that often stifles political debate and competition.
• Decentralized Federal Structure: India’s federalism supports regional autonomy, allowing states to exercise significant power tailored to their unique social and economic contexts, which diffuses tensions that might arise from centralized decision-making.
  For instance: State-level autonomy in policy-making promotes stability through localized governance, contrasting with Bangladesh’s centralized power which often sparks regional discontent and unrest.
• Diverse and Resilient Economy: India’s economic strategy is diversified across various sectors reducing the vulnerability to economic shock.
  For example: The growth of the IT sector in India demonstrates how India’s sectoral diversity underpins economic and political stability, in contrast to Bangladesh’s dependence on textiles, which exposes it to global market fluctuations and economic crises.
• Strong Judicial System: India’s judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding democratic norms and protecting the rights of citizens, thus playing a central role in maintaining institutional integrity.
  For example: The overturning of Section 66A of the IT Act highlights the role of India’s judiciary in upholding civil liberties and checking government power, contrasting sharply with Bangladesh, where judicial independence is frequently compromised by political pressures.

Challenges to India’s Political Stability:

• Regional Disparities and Conflicts: Significant disparities in economic development and resource distribution among regions can cause challenges to national unity.
  For instance: Ongoing insurgencies in regions like the Northeast highlight how regional disparities can fuel long-term unrest.
• Communal and Caste Tensions: India’s diverse demographic landscape is occasionally marred by communal and caste-based tensions, which can escalate into violent conflicts and disrupt social harmony.
  For example: The 2002 Gujarat riots are a stark reminder of how deeply communal divides can affect social and political stability.
• Corruption and Governance Issues: Widespread corruption undermines governance effectiveness, erodes public trust, and poses a significant challenge to institutional stability and democratic processes.
  For example: The 2G spectrum case not only led to a massive public outcry but also to significant political repercussions, underscoring the impact of corruption on governance.
• Economic Inequalities: Sharp economic inequalities can lead to social discontent and destabilize political landscapes, as marginalized communities may feel excluded from the benefits of economic development.
  For example: The large-scale farmers’ protests against agricultural reforms in 2020.
• Political Polarization: Increasing political polarization may lead to governance paralysis, where opposing parties are unable to reach consensus, severely affecting policy implementation.
  For instance : Frequent parliamentary stalemates over contentious issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act illustrate how polarization can impede legislative functions.
• External Threats and Pressure: External threats, whether from neighboring country conflicts or international pressure, can significantly influence domestic politics and lead to instability.
  For example: Ongoing border tensions with Pakistan and China.

Way Forward:

• Enhancing Governance Transparency and Accountability: Promoting governance reforms to enhance transparency and accountability, particularly in public sector transactions, to combat corruption effectively.
  For example: Implementation of digital governance platforms like e-Governance initiatives across states has shown promising results in reducing corruption.
• Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth: Implementing policies that foster inclusive economic growth, ensuring equitable distribution of resources across all segments of society.
  For example: Expanding schemes like MGNREGA (2005) to provide more comprehensive employment opportunities can help alleviate economic disparities.
• Strengthening Communal Harmony and Inter-Caste Dialogue: Strengthening initiatives that enhance communal harmony and inter-caste dialogue to mitigate tensions and build a more cohesive society.
  For example: Government programs that promote intercultural education and community building activities can foster better understanding and cooperation.
• Fostering Political Cooperation and Compromise: Encouraging a culture of political cooperation and compromise to ensure that legislative processes are not hindered by ideological differences.
  For instance: Regular inter-party dialogues and consensus-building workshops can help smooth legislative proceedings.
• Boosting Judicial Capacity and Independence: Enhancing judicial independence and capacity to address emerging challenges promptly and effectively.
  For instance: Increasing the number of judges and enhancing infrastructural support in judiciary systems can lead to quicker and more effective legal proceedings.
• Prioritizing Diplomatic and Security Strategies: Prioritizing diplomatic engagements and building robust defense mechanisms to better manage external threats.
  For instance: Strengthening border security measures and international diplomatic ties through bilateral talks and agreements can mitigate the risks of external threats.

India’s resilience against political instability is underpinned by its robust democratic institutions, diverse societal makeup, and dynamic economy. However, vigilance and proactive reforms are essential to navigate the challenges ahead and ensure that India not only preserves but strengthens its democratic ethos in an increasingly complex global environment.

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