India is the world’s largest democracy. At the level of more than 2 lakhs villages, 600 blocks, 2000 cities, and 36 state and union territories, it is undoubtedly the world’s largest democracy. Most Indians are proud of this fact, that they all have a say in shaping the country.
But EIU has clarified India as a flawed democracy in its democracy index. India doesn’t even feature in the top 50. So now one may ask where is democracy in India.
Well, word has come Beyond The Simple explanation of democracy- for the people, of the people, by the people. It is much more than that. Today democracy is needed to be at a macro and micro level across different fields to be classified as a ‘full democratic country’.
This essay will discuss the various dimension of democracy, try to place India in this scenario.
INDIA AND DEMOCRACY
Before” we the people” declared themselves as a democracy, the roots of democracy existed since ancient times in our culture, republic like Vajji what the system of Sabha and Samiti insured consensus-based decision making. The Cholas were famous for ‘bringing democracy to the doorstep’ with minimum interference at village levels.
These customs of tolerance, respect, consensus-based decision making, panchayat god crystallized in our constitution too.
However, India also saw an era of emergency where there was the curtailment of pluralism and civil rights. Shimla’s crackdown on plural voices and civil liberties is on the rise today too.
So, has our understanding of democracy changed, or is it withering away. To answer this first let’s define the dimension and parameters of democracy.
Different dimensions of democracy
” Democracy is the best form of governance”. This is statement is often used by the supporters of democracy. Even the world bank finds democracy as an essential component of” good governance”.
Democracy can be split into macro and micro levels. The macro-level includes political culture, civil liberties, pluralism. ( these three indicators are also used in the democracy index). At the micro-level- the household, business, political parties, etc count.
An ideal democracy ensures maximum liberty to an individual within the bounds of the social contract and this Liberty leads to different ideas and innovation. Thus, the supporters of democracy argue that for progress and development democracy is the best-suited form of governance. People are free to raise their voices, concerns, choose their representative, etc.
Let’s now consider this dimension with respect to India, so that we can judge the status of Indian democracy.
India’s political culture
Political culture includes the entire gamut of participants of democracy – the voters, the representatives, the priority of peoples and voting behavior, etc.
Even after 70 years of independence. Indians” Vote their caste and not cast their votes”. Similarly, in spite of the Supreme Court reminder that section 123 of the representation of people act 1951 has the wide meaning of the word ‘his’ while interpreting a person can’t seek votes on basis of” his cast”. The political parties and voters still indulge in caste politics.
Moreover, the craze of freebies among voters becomes a deciding factor in voting. The issues of development, security, and integrity, women empowerment, protection of the vulnerable get lost during elections.
India and civil liberties
Civil liberties are all about protest, criticism of the government, rights, privacy, etc. In recent times the use of Drawnian acts like UAPA, NSA have caused the crackdown on dissenting voices. This has caused a fall in the Indian democracy index ranking on sans frontiers index rankings.
The beauty of democracy is in different viewpoints and ideas. But at the same time, it must be asked that in the name of protest should it be allowed to attack policemen and damage National and public property, as happened in farmer protest.
India and pluralism
The constituent assembly is stood for the idea of India stating that” there is no one single idea of India”. The idea of India is composed of all our ideas. India, therefore, has been a land of diversity. Different religions, caste, races, languages as shown tolerance and respect towards each other’s” idea of India”.
But on the contrary the politics of majoritism, lynching events have changed the Global image of India. USA religious freedom reports 20 India under’ country of concern’ list.
On the other hand use of religion for indoctrination, radicalization, anti- National activities have no place in a democracy. A country has all right to protest itself.
India and the micro dimension of democracy
These micro factors sum of two macro factors of democracy. Both have to be in consonance for the full bloom of democracy.
However, starting with our society there seem very less avenues of democracy. This is because the caste discrimination against manual scavengers, lack of ag to women still exist.
In a political party dissenting voice is shown under the tenth schedule of anti-defection. Compare this to Britain David Cameron and Boris Johnson has opposing use on Brexit, but their party didn’t penalize Boris Johnson what is speaking against Prime Minister David Cameron.
Similarly, the muzzling of weak voices leads to authoritarianism and the beginning of democracy. India is a poor performer in the global gender gap with the lowest rank in South Asia( except Afghanistan).
So where does India stand on the podium of democracy? Is India still a democracy?
The direction of India’s democracy
Democracy is all about maintaining balances between two opposite viewpoints, requirement while security, ease governance is a must, privacy is also essential and so is law and order.
Recently, NITI Aayog members said there is too much democracy in India. Democracy is not quantifiable and too much or too little is dependent on not only government but also citizens. Because” people get the type of government they deserve” – G B SHAW
Also, the strengthening of democracy is an ongoing process. Aware enlightened citizens along with responsible representatives strengthen a democracy. In few years India has moved in this direction by enacting RTI, LOKPAL, etc.
