Democracy has been defined as a government of the people, by the people, for the people. India has successfully navigated with democracy for over 75 years. It is widely acknowledged that India is the biggest functional democracy in the world. We can be proud of this distinctive achievement. Now some people claim that India is the mother of democracy and is safe in the hands of “father of democracy”. Is democracy defined only through the holding of regular elections and the use of votes by more than 50 percent electorate? No, democracy cannot be defined only by these parameters. Because even in authoritarian regimes, dictators hold routine elections. North Korea may be cited as an example.
If we take into consideration a number of related facts, we can answer the question raised here. The use of money and muscle in Indian elections is an open secret. Horse trading of legislators both in States and at the Centre is another undemocratic practice which is rampant in our country. Herding of MLAs in protected enclosures to avoid poaching is a bizarre scene which citizens often witness with amusement and witty jokes.
Freedom of expression and independent media which reflects citizens’ views is yet another requirement of a vibrant democracy. We know how media has become subservient to government and is not reflecting the view of populace is a matter of great concern in our country.
The ever-widening gap between the haves and haves-nots and greater concentration of resources and wealth in fewer hands is also a matter of great concern for safeguarding democracy.
Free and fair elections are the soul of democracy. Unfortunately, recent events indicate that this is under great stress. Appointment of Election Commissioner is also vitally important. But using its dominance in the Parliament, the ruling party has ousted the Chief Justice from the selection committee. This is a big disservice to the appointment of an upright person to this important post.
During the last five years, the ruling party used all undemocratic methods and destabilized about a dozen opposition governments. Undemocratic methods employed for have done unpardonable damage to democracy.
The Supreme Court has declared that Electoral Bonds as illegal, unconstitutional and fraudulent. It shows how the ruling dispensation has benefited itself from questionable means. It also shows how democratic norms are being damaged. Use of black money, intimidation of Opposition, and for this purpose misuse of CBI, ED and Income Tax departments also have helped in weakening of Opposition and paving the way for one-party rule in India.
Last but not least, the misuse of religion and fake religiosity have done irreparable damage to democracy. The last nails in the coffin of democracy have been the divide-and-rule policy, spread of hatred, poisoning of minds, widening of religious divide and marginalisation of Muslims and other weaker sections of the nation. If corrective steps are not taken urgently, India will pay a heavy price and democracy will be a thing of the past.