The Managed Illusion of Indian Democracy, Electronic Voting Machines, and Institutional Capture

The Unrest: Magazine on Economic and Political Upheavals in the World: February 1-15, 2026 Issue

Main stories in the February 1-15, 2026 issue of The Unrest magazine of RMN News:

• The Smokescreen: This report examines the managed illusion of Indian democracy, institutional capture, and issues surrounding electronic voting machines.

• India-EU Trade Deal: Labeled the "mother of all deals," this pact creates a free trade zone covering two billion people and 25% of global GDP.

• Suspicious Deaths of Politicians: An analysis of a global pattern involving unexplained disappearances and alleged assassinations of political figures.

• Petra Bayr’s Election: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe elected Petra Bayr as its new President.

• National Voters’ Day or National Deception Day?: This story argues that India's EVM-based electoral system extinguishes the right of voters to verify their votes.

• Special Tribunal for Ukraine: The Council of Europe and the EU signed an agreement to establish a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

• 2026 World Investment Forum: The State of Qatar and UNCTAD announced that the 9th World Investment Forum will be held in Doha.

• Impunity for IAS Officers: The editor reports on a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) response to a complaint regarding alleged corruption and institutional collusion by IAS officers.

• Microsite for EVM Concerns: A new microsite calls for international engagement to protect electoral integrity in India due to the erosion of domestic oversight.

• Google Search Data Dispute: Google is seeking to block a federal ruling that would require it to share search data with competitors like OpenAI.

• Battle of Galwan Propaganda: This story questions where patriotism ends and political propaganda begins in India’s entertainment industry.

• Citizen-Elected World Parliament: A study reveals broad global support for a world parliament elected by citizens to manage global issues.

• OpenAI Education for Countries: A new strategic pillar from OpenAI aims to help nations integrate artificial intelligence into schools and workforces.

• AI Rights and Equality: The Council of Europe released publications addressing how AI challenges fundamental rights and social equality.

• AI for Corporate Innovation: IBM research suggests AI will become a primary engine for corporate innovation and revenue growth by the end of the decade.

• Robojit’s AI-Assisted Production: A look at a transmedia IP pipeline that releases artifacts publicly across international platforms rather than waiting for traditional studio financing.

• Machado’s Nobel Medal Transfer: Venezuelan leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, prompting a clarification from the Nobel Committee.

• Delhi Housing Society Corruption: A report and podcast detailing alleged corruption and abuse of office by IAS officers in Delhi’s housing societies.

• Thousands Dead in Iranian Unrest: Iran’s Supreme Leader acknowledged that thousands were killed during recent domestic protests.

• Civil Fraud Case Against Gautam Adani: The U.S. SEC is moving forward with a civil fraud lawsuit against the Indian billionaire.

• Melania Trump’s Documentary: The release of Melania: Twenty Days to History has raised questions about whether the deal was intended to curry favor with the White House.

• AI for Judicial Reform: A proposed roadmap for using artificial intelligence to reform the Indian judiciary’s "judge-centric" and opaque processes.

• The Rebirth of 007: The James Bond film franchise is undergoing a transformation into what writer Steven Knight calls a "modern myth".

• OpenAI Prism Workspace: OpenAI launched Prism, a GPT-5.2 powered AI-native workspace designed for scientific research and collaboration.

This magazine serves as a global pulse monitor, capturing the rhythmic fluctuations of political, economic, and technological upheavals across different continents.

Rakesh Raman
Editor and Researcher