A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. Yet, once the charade is over and the blinds are off, there is very little that PR stunts can save. In recent years, India has faced growing scrutiny and criticism over its human rights records. At a time when Indian lobbies are investing so much to add to their appeal as a global powerhouse, their claims of being a democratic country with a strong adherence to human rights principles continue to smear black ink on the face. Because the reality on the ground paints a different picture. According to the latest rankings, India stands at a disappointing 109th position in terms of individual freedom enjoyed by the common man. This indicates that the average Indian citizen may not enjoy the level of personal freedom that one would expect in a truly democratic society. India’s ranking of 161 on the World Press Freedom Index is particularly concerning as it highlights the growing restrictions on freedom of expression, especially against religious minorities such as Muslims and Christians. The media plays a crucial role in safeguarding democracy, and any curtailment of press freedom is a red flag for democracy. The aggressive rise of Hindutva ideology, promoted by the BJP and the RSS, has emboldened religious extremists in India. With a score of 66/100 on the Global Freedom Index, India is shown to have limited freedom with increasing restrictions on political and civil rights. This signifies a worrying trend of erosion of fundamental rights that are essential for the functioning of a democratic society. Headlines upon headlines have shown the reality of incredible India where ultaextremist, right-wing Hindus continue to use their political superiority to cast religion as an excuse to exacerbate violations of the rights of minorities in India. The Human Rights Index highlights the plight of religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, who face violence, discrimination, and political rhetoric targeting their communities. The aggressive rise of Hindutva ideology, promoted by the BJP and the RSS, has emboldened religious extremists in India. This has led to an increase in violence against whoever does not fit the mould, doomed to be systematically persecuted under the Hindutva-driven Modi government. India’s reputation as an “unpopular democracy” according to the Democracy Index similarly signifies the weakening of democratic institutions and the rise of discriminatory laws that threaten the very fabric of Indian democracy. Various international bodies, including the UNHRC and USCIRF, have expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in India. So blinding is the disparity in the finances between the haves and the have-nots that a constant rise in GDP has done little to alleviate the suffering of the Muslim population in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, feeling marginalized. There’s more. The rise in economy means the privileged classes feel extraordinarily empowered to abuse their influence to teach the vulnerable classes a lesson. Newspapers narrate a significant increase in caste-based violence. More than 50,000 incidents of atrocities against Dalits have been reported in the last five years, highlighting the deep-rooted discrimination and inequality that persists in Indian society. The reality behind the hollow claims of human rights in India is sobering. This systematic persecution of religious minorities, erosion of civil liberties, and rise of discriminatory laws threaten the democratic values and global reputation of India. Of course, had it been any other country, the international community would have long sounded the war trumpet, forcing it to sort out its house and address these issues so that principles of human rights considered essential for a free and democratic society are upheld. However, Modi’s hugs and delusional diplomacy mean the new bully can do whatever it wants with absolute impunity. The writer is a freelance columnist.