South Asia’s two most popular leaders Narendra Modi and Imran Khan were brought to power and nurtured by democracy, but in a twist of irony, ironically they are responsible for shrinking democratic spaces in their respective countries. 

India has recently launched a 75-week-long celebration ahead of next year’s 75th anniversary of independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the start of celebrations by invoking the Salt March, which over nine decades ago marked the beginning of the country’s freedom movement.