Democracy in India

The word democracy originated from the Greek word demokratia. This comes from the root words demos (people) and kratos (rule), signifying the rule of the people. Aristotle defines democracy as "a state, where the free men and the poor, being in majority, are invested with the power of the State." Abraham Lincoln described democracy as "the government of the people, by the people, and for the people." India gained independence from the British in 1947 along with a stagnant economy and a semi feudal, caste ridden society. The Constitution envisaged India as a 'democratic republic'. The democracy would not only be a political but also a social democracy. It would be infused with the spirit of 'justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

The adoption of the Constitution on 26 January, 1950 ushered in the age of democracy in India. The Constitution has also granted six Fundamental Rights to the citizens of India. All citizens above the age of 21 had the right to cast their vote. The voting age was lowered to 18 years, in the 1980s. India has a Parliamentary form of government in which people elect the representatives they consider suitable. These representatives together form the Parliament. The majority party or coalition forms the government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister.

However, gradually politics became a game of opportunism and corruption. Most political parties are only interested in coming to power. Getting voted into power has become the end in itself and not a means to do good for a greater mass of people. Every party adopts different means to come to power. Some try to influence the people through caste politics while others through the so called secular means. A third would try to raise the religious sentiments of the people.

India is the largest democracy in the world and our political system is a multi patty system. A party or a coalition winning a majority would form the government. A simple enough proposition but in reality it has proved to be hopelessly idealistic. The political system has become unstable because of the mushrooming of parties. Ideology has been replaced by caste and religion in many parties. Hence they do not need a rationally thought-out analysis and a credible method of how best the country can be governed. Hence democracy is reduced to rule by bigotry, hatred, and fanaticism by caste-based groups.

The idea of having a democracy in which everybody is equal is obviously unworkable in a country where there is no equality in any form or shape social, economic or political. Also some of our legislators have criminal records against them. The people who make the laws are themselves breaking them. Such a political system coexists; oddly with an economy that is slowly but definitely responding to global changes and aims. Sooner or later the corporate and the educated class would confront the rulers, not on ideological grounds but simply to survive. For the time being they would be able to bend the power structures to suit their ends by employing various means. But that would be a temporary arrangement. Both the economic and the political systems would have to be modified either for the better or for the worse.

A movement on the scale of our freedom struggle needs to be started. The aim of the movement should be to spread awareness about the need for reforming our political system. In this context we may refer to the historic judgment given by the Supreme Court on May 2, 2002 following an appeal by an NGO. It ruled that every candidate contesting the election at the Central, State and Municipal levels should declare the following: - The candidate's criminal records (convictions, acquittals and charges etc.), financial records and educational qualifications.

It is wrong to say that the people have lost faith in the democratic system. This is evident from the fact that a sizeable majority of the voters usually turn up for casting their ballots during elections. The relatively peaceful and fair elections conducted in Jammu and Kashmir has further bolstered our democratic credentials. However, if a democracy is to be totally successful, the electorate should be literate, politically conscious and fully aware of their rights and privileges. Hence the illiterate masses of India should be given education so that they can judiciously exercise their franchise. The politicians should also respect the true spirit of democracy by refraining from unethical practices like corruption, caste and communal politics, etc. The citizens should elect leaders with good moral values and integrity. It should be a peaceful revolution. People would be guided to choose their representative, the person they think suitable. They would not be intimidated by anyone in this respect. Changes would come through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means. Today's talented and upright youngsters should look at politics as a career option. This would infuse new blood into our political system and would rejuvenate it. This new system would be democratic in the true sense of the word.

Source: An article published in Sunday Times by M.N. Lace on 14^th January, 2008