If one were to suggest that a democracy deficit is gradually emerging in South Asia, there is a danger of being ignored completely given that the world’s largest democracy is located in the region. But looking around South Asia today, one is confronted with a number of weak states with decaying democratic institutions and an entire region in turmoil as a consequence. This can have serious consequences for regional and global stability.

Burma is the latest in the list of states in the region where political churning is rising and the supporters of the status quo are finding it difficult to come to terms with a movement led by the much revered monks. Pakistan, under Pervez Musharraf’s leadership, has steadfastly refused to return to democracy for the last several years. Even the recent upheavals on the streets have not forced Musharraf to re-evaluate his stance on democracy even though the protests have acquired pro-democracy overtones and exposed Musharraf’s own democratic pretensions. In the east, there’s Bangladesh. A country that was widely considered a relatively stable democracy in the Islamic world until a few years ago is currently under emergency rule, with parliamentary elections having been postponed indefinitely. Despite warnings from the international community that any move toward military rule would have adverse consequences for Bangladesh, the army-backed administration has tightened its grip over the country, vowing to uproot corruption and violence in electoral politics as well as to effectively tackle Islamist militancy. This has led to the arrest of several high-ranking politicians on charges of graft and even the execution of a few high-profile Islamist militants.

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