Why India Stands Apart from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan

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by

Himanshu
in

South Asia has entered a turbulent era. Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan have all witnessed mass protests, political upheavals and government crises in recent years. India, despite its vastness and diversity, continues to hold regular elections and transition power peacefully.

Below we look at each neighbour’s record of unrest, and then explain how India’s political system differs.

🌏 Nepal: Frequent Instability and Street Power

  • History of Unrest: Nepal moved from a monarchy to a republic in 2008 after years of Maoist insurgency and popular uprisings.
  • Coalition Governments: Since then, it has seen repeated changes of government, fragile coalitions, and a new Constitution in 2015.
  • Recent Crisis: In 2025, a controversial social media ban triggered Gen-Z-led protests. Government buildings were attacked and the administration collapsed within 24 hours.
  • Pattern: Institutions are still young and weak; public anger often spills into the streets rather than being absorbed by the system.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh: Student Protests and Leadership Changes

  • History of Unrest: Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 but has alternated between military rule and democratic governments. Coups, assassinations and caretaker governments were common through the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Return to Democracy: The Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina dominated for over a decade, but allegations of authoritarianism and corruption grew.
  • Recent Crisis: In 2024–25, mass student and youth protests over corruption, rising living costs and restrictions on dissent forced the government to resign.
  • Pattern: Weak checks and balances make it easy for discontent to destabilise governments quickly.

🇵🇰 Pakistan: Power Struggles and Imran Khan’s Ouster

  • History of Unrest: Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has had multiple military coups and direct military rule for roughly half of its history. Civilian governments often struggle to complete full terms.
  • Imran Khan’s Removal: Elected in 2018, Khan lost favour with the military and opposition by 2022. He was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence motion after losing his majority. His attempts to dissolve parliament were struck down by the Supreme Court.
  • Aftermath: His imprisonment on corruption and security-related charges sparked mass protests and violent clashes. Pakistan continues to face a military–civilian power struggle and economic distress.
  • Pattern: Even when removal is “constitutional,” political instability follows, showing how fragile the system remains.

🇮🇳 India: Democratic Resilience and Institutional Depth

  • History of Stability: India has held 18 general elections and seen seven peaceful changes of government since 1947. No coup has ever overthrown an elected government.
  • Constitutional Checks: A strong Supreme Court, a respected Election Commission, and a federal structure act as safety valves.
  • Absorbing Protests: Large-scale protests — from the JP Movement in the 1970s to farmers’ protests recently — have been managed within a democratic framework without state collapse.
  • Pattern: Institutions have been stress-tested and evolved stronger; public anger finds legal and electoral channels rather than coups.

📝 Comparative Table

CountryHistory of UnrestLatest CrisisInstitutional Strength
NepalMaoist insurgency, monarchy abolished 2008, repeated coalition collapsesGen-Z protests over social media ban, govt collapse <24hFragile, young institutions
BangladeshCoups, assassinations, military rule until 1990s, long one-party dominanceYouth protests over corruption and costs forced leadership changeWeak checks & balances
PakistanMultiple military coups, civilian–military power struggleImran Khan ousted by no-confidence, protests and imprisonmentJudiciary under pressure, democracy fragile
India18 general elections, no coups, peaceful transfers of powerRegular elections and protests managed within lawStrong Constitution, deep institutions

⚖️ Why India Stands Apart

  1. Constitutional Depth – A tested Constitution and judiciary that limit executive overreach.
  2. Electoral Legitimacy – Free and regular elections strengthen public trust.
  3. Federalism – State governments provide channels for regional demands.
  4. Civil Society & Media – Debate and dissent reduce the risk of coups or extra-constitutional regime change.
  5. Security Forces under Civilian Control – No history of military coups.

✅ Conclusion

Nepal’s overnight government collapse, Bangladesh’s youth-driven protests and Pakistan’s Imran Khan-related turmoil show how fragile political systems can be when institutions are weak. India, despite its own challenges, continues to demonstrate that strong democratic structures and constitutional order can keep a vast, diverse nation stable.

India is not Nepal, Bangladesh or Pakistan. It is charting its own path of democratic resilience.