Democracy in Lincolns famous words is Government of the people, for the people, by the

people. The rudiments of democracy are well-known. It is a form of government wherein every

individual has a say. Democracy has come a long way since the classical times when Aristotle in

his classification categorized it as a -perverted form of government. Rouseaus concept of

General Will which had entrusted sovereign power to the masses paved the way for the French

Revolution with its cry of liberty, equality and fraternity. It marked the turning point for the rise

of modern democracy -ultimate authority of government is vested in the common people so that

public policy is made to conform to the will of the people and to serve the interests of people

today we have indirect democracy where government is conducted by the representatives of the

people, who are elected at regular intervals -

Have we ever given heed to the kind of democracy we have in India and under what conditions it

had been established? Well, lets explore this. It is impossible to define Indian democracy as

liberal, participatory or deliberative, because it is a blend all of these at the same time. It is not

enough to only examine the formal presence of democracy but checking how effective are the

institutions and procedures by relating them to the conditions that sustain them and reproduce

them is equally important. So lets check and examine what conditions were present when

democratic values and procedures were adopted.

According to Samuel Huntington, Indian democracy as an institution was facing few crisis at the

eve of independence. They were: crisis of national integration, crisis of identity, crisis of

participation, crisis of penetration and crisis of legitimacy. Thus we see the number of

challenges, which the newly independent and decolonized India was facing while adopting

the system of democracy. The major problems before India were linguistic problems, caste

system (which further took a new form of economic class system), poverty and illiteracy. To add

to them malnutrition and poor health conditions, poor housing, poor work capability, lack of

occupational adaptability and an inadequate level of savings reflected the clear picture of India.

Democracy Today

Democracy has come a long way. It was an idea that developed over the years to be seen as it is

today. There is still no specific form of democracy. There are however some basic ideas that

democracy embraces. All individuals have equal access to power, freedom and liberties.

Democracy has its origins in ancient Greece. However, ancient Rome contributed significantly to

its evolution. In Athens, government offices and citizens were held by ordinary individuals and

all male Athenians were allowed to vote. This right however did not extend to women and

slaves. Also; the votes of the wealthy were given more weight. Hence a major element of

democracy, universal suffrage was not exercised completely. Vaishali District in Bihar, India,

was one of the first governments in the world to have elements of the present democratic system.

Democracy has many versions. Many anarchists believe that the true form of democracy is direct

democracy, when majority decisions are not binding on the minority. This, they believe does not

curb individual liberties. American representative democracy is said to have been influenced by

the Iroquois society. This however is still being debated. Sortition is another tool of democracy

where representatives are chosen randomly, without elections. The belief is that the population at

large would be better represented through this process of random selection.

Today, the most common form of democracy is representative democracy where policy makers

are elected by the people. The governing bodies however, have specifically defined powers and

their rights do not extend over a well defined limit.

India is today recognized as the largest democracy in the world. One of the major reasons on the

basis of which we are pressing for a permanent seat in the UN. But should we really pride

ourselves on being democratic? Are we really a democracy in the true sense of the word? There

are still factors to be proud of. The press plays an extremely large role in a democracy and ours is

one of the most independent in the world. Democracy and suppression however, should be

mutually exclusive. Yet, voices are still throttled.

An everyday example that can be taken is of gay rights. A topic which is debated incessantly. If

we claim to be a democracy, how come a chunk of the society is still fighting for their rights?

They are not fighting for concessions or quotas or representation, but for the basic right to exist

as they are. With respect. And with grace. The basic rudiments of democracy like freedom of

expression and basic liberties to all come under scrutiny. Is democracy just a huge hypocritical

circus?

At last it can be said that Democracy is not a definition or a meaning. It is a process. It has a

goal. And we will achieve it. One day, differences will be celebrated and the dissimilar voices

will ring out as a beautiful melody.

Many scholars compare the status of development and democracy, since independence. Does

democracy leads to development or development leads to democracy? This dilemma still

remains. India had a firm nationalist base with the strong leadership of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru as

the first Prime Minister. But during that time, the members of legislative assembly were elitist.

The democracy was functioning smoothly but in their favor because the masses were illiterate.

Congress at that time was working for indigenous bourgeoisie. Thus congress became a party of

social status quo.

1967 was the turning point when the state parties suddenly came into power. This was a signal of

democratization of Indian politics. Due to balance of payment problem, international financial

institutions devalued rupee and India started drifting into economic crisis. Mrs.

Indira Gandhi swept the polls in 1971 elections with the eradicate poverty slogans. In 1975

with the misuse of article 356 of Indian constitution, Mrs. Gandhi declared an emergency in

India. Economic crisis, formation of Bangladesh and Authoritarian rule at the center weakened

Indian democracy. The decision-making roles and powers of the cabinet members and ministers

were consequently dissolved and were taken over by Mrs. Gandhi. Though the Panchayati raj

system was to democratize the country at the village level but the power was still concentrated at

the top of the pyramid.

But after all the turbulent years in India, democracy still exists in its unique forms. Arguably it is

the best form of government. Democracy would thus appear differently to different classes of

India. To more privilege classes of society it would mean the freedom of enterprise and to the

lower orders it would mean equality (at least between communities) and representation. But

whatever the contradictions democracy may offers, Indian democracy will continue in spite of its

paradoxical and surprising history.

Its noteworthy that despite everything, India has sustained a fairly stable democracy, while the

countries with comparable (and in some cases much less serious) problems have abandoned

democracy for authoritarian form of rule. There are many conflicting views on the success and

failure of democracy and they all are associated to some ideals. For some an ideal democracy is a

construct where people are truly equal citizens, politically engaged with an equal voice, tolerant

of each other and where representatives are accountable. On the other hand, scholars have

viewed democracy as an institution, which would mean free and fair elections, legislative

assembly, and under this understanding India is considered as the largest democracy in the

world. But any evaluation of democracy is of course, a combination of both.

Indian state has a deep commitment to democratic system and values as democracy provides

impulse towards change and looks at contemporary struggles and movements of the people as a

part of the democratic process.

Democracy centers certain rights on the people. But more often than not these rights are abused

in the name of resisting oppression. Au unbalanced insistence on ones rights without a

corresponding realization of ones duties creates indiscipline and disorder and, in reality, an

erosion of the democratic principle.

Liberty and equality are both basic to democracy but are not these two concepts intrinsically

opposed? Can liberty, which allows a human being to develop his/her individuality, be

reconciled to equality, which by its very nature puts a check on such individual aspirations for

the welfare of a group. a community, a collectivity ? Democracy contains within it seeds of

dissolution and decay as well as of life and progress. In truth, it calls for a balance between self-

interest and consideration for others, between rights and duties and a successful democracy

manifests a reconciliation of opposites.

India today proudly proclaims its position as one of the foremost democratic nations of the

world. In terms of the size of the electorate, it is the largest democracy in the world. India, on

gaining independence from colonial rule, had forthwith decided to adopt the parliamentary

system of government of its erstwhile coloniser - Great Britain. The founding fathers of the

Constitution, truly inspired by egalitarian zeal, had ensured universal adult franchise to citizens

of the country, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion. sex, education or

ownership of property. India had its first general elections in 1952 and the democratic processes

have been vigorously functioning ever since. Belying all doubts and apprehensions on account of

the large number of illiterate citizens in the country; the people have displayed an amazing

political maturity and have ensured that democracy becomes a part of the social ethos of the

country.

To express their dissatisfaction with the agendas and policies of a particular government or with

the qualities of governance -in general, they have skilfully utilised their democratic privilege to

oust the incumbent from power. Democratic processes have earned such credibility that there has

not been a single instance of a coup detat or mass revolution to destabilise or overthrow the

government. The regular, periodic elections have almost become a source of envy to other

countries in South Asia whose experimentations with democracy are marred by interference from

the army top brass as well as extremist religious leaders.

One of the biggest achievements of the Indian Constitution is the protection of democratic rights

since its inception. The success and failure of a democracy can be judged by looking at its track

record in the protection of right to freedom. Any erosion of these rights can ultimately lead to

the breakdown of the very Constitution of the country. We the citizens need to be vigilant against

the assault to our rights. If we overlook these violations today, it will be a licence for the

unscrupulous and unethical elements to subvert our very democratic system. which we value

greatly.

Such admirable achievements not with standing, India is often characterised by critics as a

pseudo-democracy. The time is ripe enough to look back at the errors committed, to analyse the

maladies that afflict the present day political system. In other words, what ails Indian democracy

The reasons are not far to seek. India had failed in its primary democratic responsibility of

ensuring liberty and equality to the people. Fifty-six years since independence and still, every

night, one third of the population goes to bed on an empty stomach. Thirty percent of the

population lives below the poverty line, without au, means to meet their consumption

requirements, without access to safe and clean drinking water, sanitation or proper health

facilities. Governments have come and -,one, policies have been framed and supposedly

implemented. crores of rupees have been spent, and yet India staggers into the New Millennium

with millions of disadvantaged people to whom every day is nothing but a struggle for existence.

Surely it is a grave sin to talk about democracy and voting rights to a person lying oil an empty

stomach.

The right to freedom is the most fundamental of the Fundamental Rights in our Constitution.

Without this right the moral and intellectual development of a citizen cannot be achieved.

Articles 19 to 22 describe this vital right in the Constitution. which is the very backbone of the

Fundamental Rights. Democracy is meaningful only when these rights are fulfilled.

Of late, our Fundamental Rights are under severe stress from certain elements in the state. In the

name of national interest and protection of privileges this essence of democracy is being

crucified by vested interests.

Equality has also taken a beating in a society totally raven by communal considerations.

Casteism today is perhaps more rampant than it ever was. Untouchability remains abolished only

in theory, with frequent newspaper reports of Dalits being denied entry to temples or other public

places. Class conflict, too is on the rise with entire Dalit families being massacred by upper class

landlords and the retaliatory violence that the Dalits indulge in to seek vengeance. The dreams of

Gandhiji for an egalitarian casteless society lie shattered on the ground. It is the political parties,

organized on caste lines that thrive on such societal tensions and rivalries and perpetuate the

animosity between upper & lower castes to serve their vested interests.

The liberal, humanistic principles which can result in the establishment of a just and humane

society have been subjected to criminal negligence. Indian democracy signifies nothing greater

than party politics and elections. The very process of election has become suspect, marred as it is

by allegations of rigging, booth capturing and bogus voting. A large number of police personnel

and paramilitary forces have to be deployed lust to ensure that legitimate voters get opportunity

to exercise their right to vote. Serious distortions are visible in the. democratic process - a recent

example being the Panchayat elections in one of the States where there were widespread

allegations that candidates belonging to opposition parties bad been prevented even from filing

their nomination papers - thus making a sham of all the rhetoric about democratic

decentralization and grassroots participation of people in democratic process.

An unsatisfactory aspect of Indian democracy is the practice of defection from one party to

another-ironically justified on the basis of democratic considerations of freedom of choice.

The problem with Indian democracy is that it has been transplanted recently and has not grown

from the roots. Government by the people is not and never can be a reality; it is only a cry by

which demagogues humbug us into voting for them said George Bernard Shaw.

All of this is direct fallout of the criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime. The

visionary giants who led the country to independence and secured its future through a democratic

Constitution have all departed; the present day leader is a creature driven greed and the lust for

power; he can resort to any measure to capture power and then retain it. His value system is

warped, he is driven by narrow, selfish, parochial interest and he does not hesitate in flexing

muscle power to eliminate his opponents. Multiparty democracy; so essential for a diverse

country like India, has come more as a bane titan a boon. Parties have become the vehicle for the

leaders and faithful to amass wealth and shield themselves from the law of land. National interest

has been made subservient to parry cause: The motto is self before party. party before nation.

The Peoples Representation Act, 2002, passed in Parliament recently, exposes the shameless

lengths to which politicians - of all hues and colours - can go to save their own skin.

A subversion of almost all democratic norms and values has led to a seething wave of intolerance

and hatred, searing and destroying the bonds of love and harmony that had held the society

together for ages. Violence assumes many forms - terrorism, insurgency, and communal tension,

violence against women and through it all, the fabric of the society gets distorted beyond

recognition. Intolerant, ignorant about the countrys composite culture and heritage, devoid of

any sense of history, people indulge in relentless, meaningless criticism of all things Indian and

blindly imbibe whatever crumbs of Western culture come our way, courtesy globalization.

Negative criticism is, however, not an attribute limited to the uncomprehending masses - the

august body of the parliamentary opposition. forgoing all attempts at constructive criticism,

utilizes every single opportunity to humiliate and embarrass the government. Quite literally, its

function has been reduced to mere opposition.

The question that naturally arises is whether the form of British parliamentary democracy, which

was to a large extent imposed upon the nation without making sure whether the people were

ready for it, is actually a suitable method of governance for a country like ours. The religious,

ethnic, racial and caste diversities are deeply entrenched in the social ethos as well as the psyche

of the people and they cannot be eradicated by just wishing them away. Doubtless, the needs of a

country like our are vastly different from Britain, a small island nation with a largely

homogeneous population.

The retrograde effect of Indian democracy has led a section of the educated masses to clamour

for an end to democratic rule. Instead, they favour a brief stint of martial law and military

dictatorship and justify their demand by arguing that such a step would help to restore discipline

and confidence among the masses and reverse the process of degeneration that has set in. In fact,

a lack of discipline and absence of national dedication was one of the six fatal mistakes which

had brought the country to its present sorry state, as pointed out by the great jurist late Nana

Palkhivala. But it would be fallacious to assume that respect for the rule of law can be enforced

through a military govenment because such obedience based on fear of reprisals would be

transitory. Love for the country is something that comes from within, through a proper

appreciation of our unique social, cultural, historical legacy. No other political setup, except a

democracy permits an individual to think freely and reach this level of realisation.

In India, we are fortunate enough to possess firmly established and functioning democratic

institutions. Their weakness is their rigidity and inflexibility, their inability to adapt themselves

to the changing times. Erosion of values has led to opacity of vision and this wrong can be set

right only by that section of the population which constitutes its majority-the youth. No hurdle is

formidable enough if people act to remove it. Action is important today, as the liberal educated

intelligentsia turn their faces away in disgust from the murky world of politics and governance.

People who plead helplessness in the face of rampant corruption are the very ones who sustain it

by their silence acceptance of it. People who do not vote as a sign of protest are actually

instrumental in perpetuating the lawlessness and anarchy around them.

Conclusion

Thus, it is thus clear that without a sense of discipline in all wakes of life, democracy is likely to

turn into anarchy, chaos and disorder. If we wish to preserve democracy in India. we will have to

practise restraint and discipline each citizen.

The onus is on the youth of the country-to create awareness, to sensitise the illiterate masses, to

enable the downtrodden to ask for their rights, to teach them that rights are always accompanied

by corresponding duties, to warn the politicians that we have borne the assault of the last straw

on our back and will not tolerate any more. Democracys defects do not, however obscure its

basic value. It guarantees freedom to the individual albeit that freedom is certainly restrained by

virtue of masts living in a society. The freedom is certainly accompanied by certain

responsibilities. self-defence and the difficulty of judicious choice but a democratic way of life

alone comes nearest to satisfying. the love of freedom in man.