The recent arrest of Teesta Setalvad reflects the growing suppression of dissident voices by the state. But why go after them when the government has the overwhelming support of the media? And why are they not getting support from the judiciary?“Judges are looking for post-retirement jobs and the government now de facto appoints judges,” says Professor Christophe Jaffrelot, political scientist at Sciences Po, Paris and King’s College London, and author of many books on India, in this podcast interview with Sidharth Bhatia.Jaffrelot terms the present situation in India as “an electoral autocracy”. One by one the institutions are being compromised. “Federalism is the last bastion that is holding out.”He says despite the welcome Narendra Modi gets from Western governments, “concern among them about India is growing.”
