By Col Sudhir Rana (Retd)
Democracy is a system by which the people govern themselves. This is considered to be the best system than any other form of governance, be it monarchy, oligarchy and civil or military dictatorship. Here power is derived directly from the people’s will. Here the leaders are elected by the people and they are accountable and responsive to the people only. Failure to fulfil, this mandate by the leaders, results in their replacement by the masses. It is done by holding free and fair elections at regular intervals. Power changes hand by vote of citizens. The whole democratic set up is based upon strong institutions, which act as watch dogs over each other. The whole setup is governed by a constitution. While the legislative wing make laws after discussion and consensus of the majority, the judiciary is empowered for correct interpretation of that law and providing justice to all citizens. The administrative set up is responsible for providing administration, law enforcement and making lives of the citizens comfortable and better. Freedom of expression, aspirations and frustrations of public are safeguarded in a democracy by activists, press and media. Democracy stands on the principle of political equality of all citizens (e.g., one person, one vote). It recognises that every individual has equal status and his rights, opportunities and responsibilities are protected (e.g., fundamental civil liberties, such as freedom of speech and religion). Democracies offer peaceful, institutionalised frameworks (such as courts and parliaments) to negotiate the differences and conflicts without resorting to violence or civil unrest.
Keeping these principles in mind, let us see how our Indian democracy functions. Is it performing or has it failed to fullfil the aspirations of Indians. Has it raised the standard of living of its people? Has it ensured the rights and liberty of its people? Has it promoted the idea of equality and freedom of speech? Is the citizen empowered or emasculated? Are the institutions working?
Let us examine the issue under four headings of functioning of 4 pillars of democracy in India.
- Legislative wing: Despite having an election commission which is working round the year, holding elections in one part of the country or the other, have we been able to reach out to common person? Has the legislature, been able to ensure that criminals and undeserving opportunists don’t enter in assemblies and parliament? Have they created laws to promote meritocracy and equality of the citizens? Are the laws created keeping in mind welfare of masses or for the sake of powerbrokers and lawmakers? Are lawmakers equipped to discuss intelligently and seriously the laws they make? The level of debate in parliament and assemblies, has been lowered to abysmal levels. Bills meant for genuine welfare of people remain stuck for decades, while those favouring the rich and famous are passed in no time. We see non-serious and often combative discussions on party lines on frivolous issues, while serious laws are passed without proper scrutiny. The whole pantomime of walkouts, slogans and dharnas is enacted on silly issues and laws favourable to the rich and powerful are silently passed without any discussion. The general public is usually left uncared for. When criminals become law makers, how can law-abiding citizens survive? In the past 79 years or so after independence, we have not been able to create a harmonious society where every citizen has equal rights and opportunities. We have created a self-perpetuating behemoth, whose sole purpose is to hold elections round the year with an aim to keep the elite political class in power for all times to come.
- Judiciary: I feel the purpose of the judiciary is to protect the rights and lives of the weakest member of the society, to ensure fairness and to resolve disputes in reasonable time. It is also supposed to protect the constitution as well as institutions. Do we have a judiciary that has been able to provide justice to the poor and weak in his or her lifetime? Again the system is hijacked by the rich and powerful. They can commit the crime and delay the delivery of justice indefinitely. Even convicted elite can avoid punishment through perpetual bails and paroles. The justices of different courts can deliver judgements contradictory in nature, yet no one is answerable. The judges cannot be held accountable for their corruption and incompetence. In India, so far, no judge of higher courts has been removed by the system for corruption or incompetency. A poor man dies before getting relief from these courts. The judges select themselves and do not want any supervision by anyone in their appointments.
- Administrative machinery: We inherited the bureaucracy of a colony, in which the administration aimed to collect revenue and police was an instrument of repression. After our independence, only masters changed from white to brown, but the machinery remained exploitative and repressive. The poor are normally helpless victims of the system. They can only appeal to the good sense and kindness of the administration. They cannot demand their rights. They cannot even get an FIR written in the police station, or demand a ration card. They can only appeal. On the other hand, they can be incarcerated for indefinite periods in jail without even a chargesheet.
- Press and media: Freedom of press is another big joke played on the Indian public. How can the press be free, if it is owned by the same powerful elite? Where advertisements suddenly dry up if you raise an uncomfortable issue. The media ownership changes hands if it does not suit the powerful people. Journalists, editors and reporters who do not toe the line are side-lined. Sycophant and unprincipled yellow sheet journalists are promoted and adjusted in profitable ventures and in politics. The truth gets lost somewhere. Earlier the news was verified before its publication. If something was printed in a newspaper, people accepted it as gospel truth. Can we say the same thing about the present media? People are declared dead, without verification and later resurrected back to life without any remorse.
In the famous words of Abraham Lincoln about democracy being “of the people, for the people, by the people”, where do we stand?
Can we ask the question, “This democracy is meant for whom?”
A penny for your thought.
