The Bane of Indian Democracy

India is the largest democracy of the world with 814 million voters. The dance of Indian democracy in the run up to the parliamentary elections is already in progress. The results of this biggest democratic exercise will be out on May 16, 2014. The new government will come in the following weeks accordingly. On one hand it is a matter of gratification to note that the constitutional machinery in this regard is fully engaged and functional. It seems, as usual, the election process will be completed successfully. It would yet be another milestone in the constitutional and democratic journey of India. But the concerns remain which need to be addressed in the years to come, if the Indian democracy is to become dynamic and real.

There are two points, inter alia, which require attention. These are the bane of Indian democracy, prima facie. One is the lack of moral edifice in politics of the country. Our forefathers, particularly father of the Indian constitution Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, specifically underlined the importance and need of morality in politics and functioning of parliamentary democracy. Unfortunately, this important ingredient i.e. morality is increasingly disappearing from Indian politics and its practitioners. It shall be a matter of concern and worry. The lack of morality leads to corruption and corrupt thinking. It gives way to use of muscle power and money power in elections. All this undermines the usefulness and efficacy of democracy. The second point which is the bane of Indian democracy is that the political forces in the country could not be polarized on the basis of ideology and programme. The divisive elements of caste and regionalism are gaining strength. The politicians with the Congress over night shift to BJP without a second thought. They are also welcomed by BJP unconditionally. BJP stalwarts have no hesitation in joining the Congress on the pretext of personal interests. The parties like SP, BSP, JD, RJD, TMC, NCP etc. have no different agenda and programme than that of the Congress and the BJP. They function on the basis of ‘vote banks’. The regional parties like DMK, AIDMK, Akali Dal, BJD, Shiv Sena etc. have their limited agenda. Sometimes it goes with the national interests and more often not.

No doubt Indian parliamentary democracy has come a long way but it is yet to reach in spite of the fact that it is the largest human celebration of the world at large.

जरा सी नम हो तो यह मिट्टी बड़ी ज़रखेज़ है साकी !