‘The Silent Coup: A History of India’s Deep State’ by Josy Joseph – a book review

For years, State entities have used 'prevention of terrorism' as a justification to incarcerate individuals without due process. The ruling elite have misused the wide powers that these national security laws grant them to further their own political agendas. SHAILESHWAR YADAV writes about Josy Joseph's new book on the deep State in India and the possibility of an imminent coup.

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INDIAN democracy remains the largest and one of the most complex democracies in the world. Since the adoption of the Constitution, much ink has been spilled to anticipate the conventional dangers that the Indian democracy could face.

On the other hand, investigative journalist Josy Joseph, in his new book The Silent Coup: A History of India's Deep State, brings out a whole new perspective about the dangers to Indian democracy. Joseph's new book is a meticulous narration of India's history of a deep State – a State within a State.

Far from the political turmoil, he talks about the possibility of a coup in India.  Since 1950, there have been about 460 coup attempts worldwide, out of which 233 were successful. Successful coups have been staged over the decades in Indian's neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Majorly, the coups are conducted by the strongest arm of the security establishment – the military. In contrast, the Indian army has been a catalyst of the democratic process. It has been deployed in many situations, including taking on insurgents, protecting the country's border and in peacekeeping missions.

So if not the military, which arm of the State poses a potential danger to the democratic stand? Ruling elites, posits Joseph, as he deliberates on the continuous corrosion of democracy through the misuse of the security establishment by the ruling elites.

Underrepresented minorities and systemic bias

The author has argued against the bias that runs deep in the Indian security establishment against the Muslim community. Further, the data quoted by Joseph only affirms this argument.

Only 1 per cent of Muslims made up the ranks of the Maharashtra state police. In comparison, in Uttar Pradesh, only about 2.3 per cent of sub-inspectors are Muslims. The number of Muslims in the elite services – Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Services – also remain minuscule, at 3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. The paramilitary forces are also characterised by poor representation, with only 3 per cent Muslims.