South Asia, home to nearly two billion people, has always been a region of paradoxes: rich histories yet deep poverty, thriving cultures yet fragile politics, enduring resilience yet recurring unrest. In recent years, the region has witnessed waves of protests, economic collapses, political crises, and even violent uprisings. From Sri Lanka’s historic people’s movement that toppled its president in 2022, to political unrest in Bangladesh, Nepal’s fragile coalition politics, Pakistan’s chronic instability, the Maldives’ shifting tides of democracy, and India’s own confrontations with dissent, South Asia stands at a critical crossroad. The democratic aspirations of its people are evident, but so too are the entrenched challenges of corruption, authoritarianism, weak institutions, and deep socio-economic inequalities. The question now is whether the region can reform its political systems and strengthen its democratic institutions, or whether it will spiral into recurring cycles of crisis.
The crisis in Sri Lanka was both economic and political. In 2022, years of corruption, nepotism, mismanagement, and unsustainable borrowing culminated in the country’s bankruptcy. Foreign reserves collapsed, inflation soared, and ordinary citizens faced shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. The crisis quickly transformed into a political uprising. Hundreds of thousands stormed the streets, eventually forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country. While Sri Lanka has since returned to a semblance of stability under Ranil Wickremesinghe, the deeper problems remain: entrenched political dynasties, weak economic reforms, and the ever-looming question of accountability. The people’s uprising showed the power of civic pressure, but unless institutions are reformed and corruption is curtailed, Sri Lanka risks repeating its cycles of instability.
Bangladesh, despite its remarkable economic growth story over the past decade, faces an increasingly volatile political environment. Allegations of authoritarian tendencies against the ruling Awami League, opposition crackdowns, and disputed elections have led to street protests, violence, and mass arrests. While the government touts economic development and social progress, critics argue that democratic space is shrinking rapidly. In recent years, Bangladesh has seen waves of student-led protests, labor unrest, and violent clashes between security forces and opposition activists. The state’s response has often been heavy-handed, with the use of force raising concerns about human rights and democratic backsliding. For a nation that once fought a liberation war in the name of democracy and justice, the erosion of political freedoms poses a serious challenge to its long-term stability.
Nepal, after abolishing its monarchy and embracing a republican framework in 2008, has struggled to achieve stable governance. Its transition to democracy has been marked by frequent changes in government, fragile coalitions, and disputes over the constitution and federalism. The country has witnessed violent protests and even deadly crackdowns, particularly in marginalized regions where groups feel excluded from political processes. Corruption and political bargaining among parties have eroded public trust. Mass demonstrations in recent years have reflected growing disillusionment with the ruling elite. While Nepal has made progress in institutionalizing democracy, its frequent leadership crises and fragile governance structures show that political stability remains elusive.
If there is one South Asian nation that exemplifies chronic political instability, it is Pakistan. Over the past two decades, the country has oscillated between civilian governments, military interventions, populist uprisings, and economic near-collapse. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ousting in 2022 and subsequent imprisonment triggered widespread protests, some of which turned violent. The military’s continued role in politics, combined with rampant inflation, terrorism, and weak governance, has kept Pakistan on the edge. Governments in Islamabad are constantly shaky, held hostage by coalition politics, street protests, or military influence. The people of Pakistan demand accountability, stability, and relief from economic misery. Yet the political elite remains fragmented, and democratic institutions remain weak.
The Maldives has often been described as a swing state of democracy. Since its transition from autocratic rule in 2008, the archipelago has experienced frequent swings between democratic progress and authoritarian relapse. Recent years have seen political instability fueled by corruption scandals, foreign policy rivalries between India and China, and contested elections. Mass protests have erupted periodically, with opposition leaders jailed and activists silenced. At the same time, citizens have remained vocal in demanding accountability. Though democracy exists on paper, political polarization and external interference often threaten its roots.
India, the world’s largest democracy, remains the anchor of the region. However, even here, the past decade has not been free of unrest. While the government enjoys strong electoral legitimacy, critics point to shrinking space for dissent, restrictions on civil society, and confrontations with protesting farmers, students, and minority groups. The mass farmers’ protest of 2020–2021, which forced the government to repeal controversial agricultural laws, revealed the enduring strength of people’s movements. Yet the confrontational relationship between state and civil society raises concerns about how resilient India’s democratic framework remains under strain. India’s size and influence mean that its democratic health has direct consequences for the entire region. A strong, inclusive, and democratic India can serve as a stabilizing force. A divided and authoritarian India, on the other hand, could worsen polarization across South Asia.
Taken together, these developments show that South Asia is facing a democratic stress test. While each country has its unique circumstances, some common threads emerge: weak institutions unable to mediate between state and society, corruption and nepotism eroding public trust, authoritarian tendencies with ruling parties suppressing dissent, economic crises fueling mass anger and instability, and external pressures with global powers often exploiting divisions. The resilience of the people has been remarkable, but the fragility of the systems is undeniable.
For South Asia to break free from cycles of unrest, its nations must not only hold elections but also deepen the institutions and values of democracy. Independent judiciaries must be protected from political interference, and election commissions should be empowered to conduct free and fair elections. Parliaments must function as deliberative bodies, not rubber stamps for ruling elites. Governments must stop using excessive force against protesters and protect citizens’ rights to speech, assembly, and association. Accountability for security forces must be enforced through independent oversight bodies. Anti-corruption commissions should be genuinely independent, transparency in public spending and foreign loans must be institutionalized, and political dynasties should not be allowed to monopolize state power.
Civil society organizations and independent journalists are the lifeblood of democracy, and governments must allow freedom of the press while ending harassment of reporters. Educational reforms should promote civic literacy, enabling citizens to hold leaders accountable. Sustainable economic policies must replace reckless borrowing and populist handouts, and regional cooperation on trade and energy could stabilize economies. Social safety nets must be prioritized to protect vulnerable groups during downturns. South Asian nations should also promote regional democratic solidarity, learning from each other’s successes and failures. Regional organizations like SAARC should expand their focus from economics to democratic strengthening. India, as the largest democracy, has a responsibility to set an example rather than stifle dissent at home.
South Asia’s people have shown time and again that they will not tolerate tyranny, corruption, or incompetence. From the streets of Colombo to Dhaka, from Kathmandu to Karachi, and from Malé to Delhi, citizens have raised their voices for justice, accountability, and dignity. But democracy is not only about elections or protests—it is about building lasting institutions that outlive individuals and parties. The region must recognize that stability and prosperity are impossible without genuine democracy. The coming decade will determine whether South Asia can chart a path toward inclusive governance or remain trapped in cycles of unrest. The choice lies not only with political elites but also with ordinary citizens who continue to fight, against all odds, for the promise of democracy.
-
Asaduzzaman Shamrat, Senior journalist and limate activist
