International Journal of Law

International Journal of Law

ISSN: 2455-2194, RJIF 5.12
www.lawjournals.org
Volume 3; Issue 4; July 2017; Page No. 95-97

Problems and prospects of Indian democracy

Rakesh Kumar
M.A., LL.B, LL.M (NET), Advocate, District Courts, Sirsa, Haryana, India

Abstract
Participation of citizen in the decision making either directly or indirectly through elected representatives is democracy. Indian
democracy is considered as the largest democracy in the world. However, it has faced a lots of social and economic inequalities
challenges like poverty and unemployment, Illiteracy casteism, communalism, corruption etc. that are required to be addressed,
for there is a need to device new proposals. No doubt, law plays an important role to out come the Indian democracy from these
issues but mere legal proposals are not enough to the desired reforms in the society. In this paper, it has been attempted to study
and analyse the existing democratic setup in India and suggest necessary reforms in order to ensure a sustainable democracy in
India.

Keywords: Illiteracy casteism, communalism, corruption

Introduction Our Constitution contains the following democratic ideals:

Most of the countries of the world including India have  Government system that holds people as the source of
adopted the democratic setup of Governance. Amongst the sovereign power, with the head of state elected by the
democratic countries, India is the largest democracy in the people.
world. The concept of origin of democracy can be traced to  Fully protected fundamental rights.
ancient Greece. Democracy existed in ancient Greece prior to  Governing process established under rule of law. These are
wider interpretation and development of the concept of held as the lifeblood of democracy in India.
democracy. The 'city state' system that existed in ancient  Special protection for those who are socially and
Greece between 422 BC and 322 BC was considered as a great educationally marginalized.
model by western thinkers, political scientists and scholars  Directive Principles of State Policy that ensure social and
alike. The word ‘democracy’ is derived from the Greek words economic equality.
‘demos’ which means ‘people’ and ‘kratos’ which means  Transparent and independent elections.
‘power’. Hence, democracy means the power of the people.
Democracy and its facets underwent changes during the period Forms of Democracy
of transformation from ancient Greece to the modern world. As There are different forms of democracy. The practice of
a result the pattern of democracy that prevailed in ancient democracy in ancient Greece was known as the 'City state
Greece assumed an entirely different and new shape. system'. People exercised their power of governance through
Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru observed that this system. In fact, it was a system of government by the
"Democracy is tolerance, it is tolerance not only towards those whole people. In the 'City State' system, democracy is rule and
who agree (with us) but also with those who disagree". Those control by qualified persons and citizens. Democracy was
who do not believe in democracy or have no faith in under the control of governance by the citizens. However,
democracy follow paths of violence and intolerance. But we on under this system, women, slaves and aliens were not
many occasions in social life show intolerance. It is essential considered as citizens in ancient Greek democracy.
that we know more about democracy and adopt democracy as a
way of life. Direct Democracy
After attaining independence, India became a Democratic The Direct democracy system was practiced in the ancient
Republic on 26th January, 1950 by introducing its own Greece. In this system citizens assemble together for the
Constitution. It was a major achievement, more particularly enactment of laws required for governance and they implement
when one looks at some of the countries in our neighbourhood these rules too. Citizens were also engaged directly in the
and even around the world. Democracy is not a modern judicial process. There was no separate court for the imparting
phenomenon; it was practiced with some measure of success in justice. Citizens themselves used to perform these duties.
ancient India; some of the modern fundamental principles are Rulers were chosen through a lot system for limited period. In
practiced even in modern times. gist, citizens used to participate directly in the process of
governance.
Democracy in India
The Constitution of India came into force from January 26, Indirect Democracy
1950, declares India as a democratic Republic. The Direct democracy no more exist in any part of the world. In the
Constitution lays down the requisites for sustaining a present society, indirect democracy prevails and nation state
democratic governmental system. system is the accepted and practiced in the world now. Slavery
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is obsolete and universal adult suffrage is practiced with equal people power and administration are handed over to lower a
opportunity in political process. The continuous rise in level, which ensures greater participation of the people in
population contributed a lot towards this very trend. This very governance.
system is called as indirect democracy as citizens choose their
representatives and then these chosen representatives further Free and Independent Elections
rule and makes laws. As this system is by the representatives, it Free and independent elections and right to vote are important
is representative democracy. Indirect democracy exists in components of democracy. An independent election
India. People elect their representatives at various levels like commission is designed with constitutional standing for this
centre, state and local in India. purpose.

Pre-Conditions of Democracy Supreme Court on Democracy in India

Herein below are some preconditions that are required to In the case of Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala, court
strengthen the democracy: held the supremacy of the India Constitution and prevented the
authoritarian rule by a single political party.
Political freedom On April 24, 1973, the then Chief Justice Sikri and 12 judges
This is the right of people to organize them politically, though of the Supreme Court delivered the most important judgment in
which they can exercise political preferences fully and freely. the judicial history of India. It had been conducted for almost
In democracy people have the right to vote, right to contest 68 days. There was only one issue to find the answer to a
elections and further have the right to exercise political power. question as to whether Parliament can amend the Constitution
Political freedom in a democracy also empowers the citizens to in an unlimited manner even at the cost of taking away all the
form associations and to criticize the government. fundamental rights of the citizens of India. The problem was
that under Article 368 of the Indian Constituion.
Political consciousness It is quite clear that there was no limitations on the power of
It regards to the people awareness towards state and politics. It Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution. Even there
includes healthy competitions, tolerance, clear perceptions and were no restrictions on the Parliament to prevent it from taking
consensus. These are the necessary ingredients of for a away a citizen’s right to freedom of speech or his religious
successful democracy. freedom. However, after several amendments made to the
Constitution there was doubt was raised whether there is any
Education inherent or implied limitation on the amending power of
It is also an important factor that influences the political Parliament. In its 703 page verdict, with a 7:6 majority the
consciousness. Citizens should have enough educated about the Supreme Court has revealed that the Parliament could amend
ideas and values of democracy. Education can enhance the any part of the Constitution as long as it did not alter the basic
thought process their abilities of constructive criticism so as to structure or essential features of the Constitution. In this was
help them to arrive at right decision. there was an inherent and implied limitation on the amending
power of Parliament was imposed by the Judiciary.
Independence of media
Media plays an important and pivotal role in conveying the Suggestions
functioning of the government and democratic ideas to the The suggestions on the basis of the study are here as under for
public and exposes the activities of corruption, nepotism, the successful functioning of Indian democracy:
terrorism etc. Free and impartial media help in forming and 1. The electorate should be imparted with the awareness of
expressing public opinion. political consciousness by making them aware of their
rights and privileges by organising seminars, workshops,
Economic and Social security conferences, etc.
Economic Freedom is a must requirement for exercising the 2. Proper education should be given to the illiterate people of
political rights properly. Economic freedom is the eradication India so as that they can vote sensibly. The countries like
of poverty and providing security towards the availability of USA, Britain, Germany etc. are successful countries by
opportunities to participate in the production process in a fair giving progressed democray in all spheres just because of
manner. Concentration of wealth amongst few and the high literacy.
eradication of inequality are very much required to ensure 3. Opinion Polls should be banned completely which creates
economic freedom for all. Governments in democracy needs to adverse impression on the minds of voters.
plan various social security programmes such as pension 4. Media should play work in a postive manner by bringing
schemes for the aged and widows and comprehensive health about true facts and maitaining the true spirit of democracy.
insurance for the uplift of these sections of people. 5. The politicians must have the spirit of democracy as they
play a vital role for maintaining the democracy. They
Political parties and leaders should act as a servant not as a master. They should do
Political parties help to organize public opinion and create politics on the basis of issues not on the basis of caste,
situation conducive to policy decisions. They make elections religion or communal politics.
meaningful and headed by leaders who possess a wider vision 6. The citizens should be aware while electing their leaders
and higher democratic values. with good moral values and integrity. Common man should
have the ability to reconise the character and conduct of the
Decentralization of power politicians. They should have an intelligent understanding
As per decentralization of power preferences and control of
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of public affair, justice and unselfish devotion to public 11. Takwani CK. Lectures on Administrative Law, Eastern
interest. Book Company, Third Edition, Lucknow.
7. The Directive Principles enshrined in the State Policies 12. Vaidya Sharvari V. Privileged Class Deviance, Allahabad
should be made justiciable rights just like fundamental Law Agency, Haryana.
rights of part III of the Indian Constitution. 13. Yaji Raman BS. Constitutional Law and Professional
8. Political education should be the part of education system, Ethics, United Publishers, Bangalore, India, 2005.
so that either they can become effective leaders of 14. Dr. Mane Suresh. Indian Constitutional Law: Dynamics
tomorrow or can chose their leader wisely without getting and Challenges, Aarati & Co., Mumbai, 2007.
influenced from the unethical factors. 15. Singh Mahendra P, V.N. Shukla’s Constitution of India,
9. Legislatures and Judiciary should work collectively by Eastern Book Company, Lucknow, 2000.
keeping an eye over the affairs going on around same sex
marriages, abolition of death penalties, etc. and try to keep
pace with the changing world around us.
10. Elected representatives should be the role model for the
youths should not act violently in the four corners of the
Parliament and Legislatures towards each other’s.

Conclusion
In gist, it can be concluded that though India is considred as
one of the largest democracy in the world, but in reality there
are various challenges that are responsible for creating
hindrance in the true functioning of democratic republic of
India. It is a matter of concern that despite the elapse of many
years of independence since 1947, there is lot of illiteracy and
corruption in India. Indenpence of agencies remains in papers
only. CBI, Election Commission, Income Tax Departments,
etc. are like paper tigers and have miseraly failed to combat
with the issues. Politicians indulge in corrupt practices, do
scams, divide the nation on religious grounds for their petty
motives of vote banks, which has advesely affected the respect
of the Indian democracy in the world. However, on the other
aspect, we are living in a democratic country which ensures
equal rights and duties. Despite diversity in culture, race,
religion and languuage, where people are united together. No
government or country can be said as perfect. Nothing wrong
with the Indian Constitutional but due to the selfishness of
some politicians, faith of the people have diminished towards
the democracy, to which everyone has to make the efforts to
rejuvenate the faith of people in democracy by understanding
his/her responsibility by making efforts to actively participate
in the functioing of the government and make their country
perfect.

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