British academic Nitasha Kaul has long researched the changing social and political landscape in India.

It’s led her to a dire conclusion about the world’s most populous democracy.

“What we’re witnessing post-2014 is a democratic erosion in India — that is undeniable,” Professor Kaul told the ABC.

More than 950 million Indians are eligible to vote in this year’s general election which began last week, and is held in seven phases until June 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to easily win a third term in office after first coming to power in 2014.

But ahead of the critical poll, Professor Kaul was shocked when she was barred from entering the country.

In February, she was detained and then deported after being invited to speak at a conference on the country’s constitution, despite holding a valid lifelong visa.

Source: Critics of Narendra Modi barred from entering India after speaking out against government – ABC News