Bharti Airtel's inclusion among major corporate donors to the BJP directly supports a regime with authoritarian tendencies. Given the party's record and alignment with far-right authoritarian policies, this donation significantly undermines democratic norms and worker rights, warranting a strongly negative score.

BJP gets Rs 2600 cr in donations! Vedanta, Airtel, Bajaj Auto, Jindal Group among top donors

Bharti Airtel's consistent annual donation of Rs 241 crore to political parties over the past five financial years exemplifies a deep involvement in political financing. While the transparency in disclosure is positive, the magnitude and regularity of these contributions raise concerns about potential corporate influence over the political process and democratic accountability, which can contribute to shifts towards corporatist and potentially authoritarian influences.

Only Eight of 30 Sensex Companies Disclosed Political Donations in Past Five Fiscals: Report

The donation of a significant sum via electoral bonds to BJP indicates a corporate engagement in political financing that bolsters a party often associated with authoritarian practices. Such financial support from a major telecommunications firm like Bharti Airtel can influence political outcomes and undermines democratic accountability.

Bharti Airtel, subsidiary Bharti Telemedia donated around Rs 234 crore to BJP via electoral bonds - The Economic Times

The company's consistent political donations, totaling Rs241 crore over five years, reflect a sustained pattern of corporate political involvement. Such activities can lead to undue influence over political processes and raise questions about transparency and democratic accountability, potentially aligning with authoritarian interests.

Only 8 Sensex companies disclosed political donations in five years | News on Markets - Business Standard

Bharti Airtel's involvement in political funding through the opaque Electoral Bonds system undermines transparency and accountability in political contributions. The method facilitates unlimited anonymous donations, which can lead to undue influence over political parties and support an authoritarian environment. This raises significant concerns from an anti-fascist and democratic governance perspective.

Vedanta, Airtel, Essel among top funders of Indian political parties in last 5 years — data

The expansion of Airtel's home surveillance service raises concerns regarding the proliferation of surveillance technologies that could be repurposed or misused in authoritarian ways. While the service targets consumer security, its scale and integration into a wider digital ecosystem make it potentially contributory to a surveillance apparatus, warranting a negative score from an anti-fascist perspective.

Bharti Airtel: Airtel targets 1,100-city home surveillance footprint ...

The donation of electoral bonds totaling Rs 150 crore to the BJP, a party with authoritarian leanings, indicates Bharti Airtel's active financial support for a regime that centralizes power, undermines democratic accountability, and favors preferential treatment in telecom regulatory matters.

Bharti group’s Rs 150 crore bond donation to BJP coincided with Modi government’s telecom U-turn

The article highlights Airtel's comprehensive sustainability and governance framework including stakeholder engagement, strict ethical standards, and transparent business practices. These initiatives reflect a proactive stance towards corporate responsibility and ethical practices, which aligns with anti-authoritarian values in prioritizing accountability and human rights.

Embedding Sustainability

Airtel's comprehensive supplier due diligence process and adherence to its Supplier Code of Conduct, which enforces ESG, labor, and environmental guidelines, demonstrate a commitment to ethical business practices. This approach supports worker rights, environmental sustainability, and transparency throughout the supply chain, marking a positive step against exploitative practices.

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Airtel's launch of a home surveillance service, while marketed as a consumer security product, involves the deployment of surveillance technology that can normalize monitoring practices. From an anti-authoritarian perspective, any technology that increases surveillance capabilities carries inherent risks of misuse and potential erosion of privacy, which can be exploited in more authoritarian regimes.

Airtel launches 'home surveillance' service in 40 cities; THESE benefits will get to customers

The policy reinforces firm commitments to human rights and labor standards, including anti-modern slavery, non-discrimination, and safe working conditions. These provisions support marginalized groups and worker rights, aligning with anti-authoritarian and progressive labor practices.

PDF Airtel Sustainable Procurement Policy