In this discussion, you will discuss the actions of governments of South Asia.
Begin your discussion by addressing the following prompt:
Give an example of a government action in South Asian history that you think was wise or unwise, and explain why.
One example of a government action in South Asian history that was unwise was the Emergency declared by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. Under the pretext of maintaining law and order, Gandhi suspended civil liberties, imposed censorship on the media, and arrested political opponents and activists.
This move was widely seen as an authoritarian power grab by Gandhi to consolidate her hold on power. It had a chilling effect on free speech and democracy in India, and led to widespread human rights abuses. The Emergency also damaged India's international reputation as a democratic country.
Overall, the Emergency was a grave mistake made by the Indian government, as it undermined the basic principles of democracy and individual freedoms. It highlighted the dangers of unchecked executive power and the importance of upholding the rule of law in a democratic society.