Brussels/Islamabad, (Unib Rashid) – Kashmiri political leader Altaf Hussain Wani has raised questions over the state of civil liberties and democratic freedoms in India, citing assessments by several international organisations that have expressed concerns over civic space, press freedom and human rights.

In a post on social media, Wani highlighted assessments by CIVICUS, Freedom House and V-Dem, noting that the organisations have reported concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, civil society organisations, media independence and broader democratic rights in India.

How free is India
•Multiple global indices have flagged concerns over India's civic freedoms, democracy, press freedom and social tensions.
•CIVICUS downgraded India's civic space from 'Obstructed' to 'Repressed', citing restrictions on expression and human rights groups.…

— Altaf Hussain Wani (@sultan1913) August 17, 2026

According to Wani’s post, CIVICUS downgraded India’s civic space classification from “Obstructed” to “Repressed,” citing restrictions affecting freedom of expression and human rights groups.

He also referred to Freedom House, which has classified India as “Partly Free,” while Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has been assessed separately as “Not Free.”

Wani further cited V-Dem, which has characterised India as an “electoral autocracy,” pointing to what it describes as a significant deterioration in democratic institutions, media freedom and the operating environment for civil society.

The post also noted that the Indian government has previously disputed the methodology and assessments used by international democracy and freedom indices, and has questioned the motivations behind some of the rankings.

Wani’s comments come amid continuing international debate over the state of democracy, civil liberties, press freedom and human rights in India, particularly in relation to the rights of minorities and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The contrasting assessments by international organisations and the Indian government’s rejection of some of their findings have kept the issue at the centre of wider discussions over democratic governance and civic freedoms in the country.