India, March 17 -- The contemporary discourse surrounding participatory democracy in India has gained momentum amid concerns about the perceived shift towards majoritarian authoritarianism. While some argue that good governance, with speedier decision-making, transparency, and the reduction of bureaucratic red tape, is essential for efficiency and quicker growth, others caution against sacrificing democratic values such as discussions, consultations, participation, and collaboration. This debate echoes historical instances, such as the conciliatory period of Nehru, the authoritarian rule of Indira Gandhi post-1966, and the uncertain times of Rajiv Gandhi, for a critical re-evaluation of the contemporary democratic landscape to avoid the recurrence of despised trends in the country....