'Indira and Modi Are the Two Most Damaging, Destructive PMs We've Had': Ramachandra Guha

Under the 11 years of Narendra Modi’s prime ministership, we have had “creeping authoritarianism but galloping majoritarianism,' Guha said.

Karan Thapar

Jun 29 2025

Under the 11 years of Narendra Modi’s prime ministership, we have had “creeping authoritarianism but galloping majoritarianism,' Guha said.

indira and modi are the two most damaging destructive pms we ve had ramachandra guha

In a 35-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Ramachandra Guha compares Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi – identifying five similarities and two key differences. Guha said that under Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975-77) we had “full-blooded authoritarianism”. Under the 11-years of Narendra Modi’s prime ministership, we have had “creeping authoritarianism but galloping majoritarianism”.

Guha would not answer the question ‘whose regime has been worse?’, saying this is best left to historians who write with the perspective of greater time. But he did add that “the fusion of majoritarianism with authoritarianism” is unique to Modi. “Even after he has finally demited office, (it) may take decades to undo”.

Watch the full video.

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