India, June 17 -- India proudly calls itself the world's largest democracy. Elections are held regularly, governments change, political rallies draw millions, and voters continue to participate with remarkable enthusiasm. Yet beneath this democratic spectacle lies an uncomfortable reality: the systematic weakening of political opposition and the steady erosion of regional parties that once gave India's federal structure its strength.

The unfolding crisis within Shiv Sena is not merely a story about one political party. It is a reflection of a deeper illness that has infected Indian politics. As Shiv Sena approaches its 60th foundation day, it finds itself once again staring at the possibility of another split. What was once a powerful re...