Future Of Democracy In India

  The political idea of the 19^th century, born in the American and French revolutions of the 18^th century, was democracy. The fate and future of the people belonged to a government formed by them. This was the hope of everybody who believed in progress, who stood up for higher standards of social life. It was above all the young rising bourgeoisie which fought for this idea.
   Democracy stands discredited in this century. It seems that the ideals, “liberty, equality, fraternity” for which democracy stands sound empty words, not because they are destitute of content and of human interest but the emotion attached to them is largely artificial .

   Democracy is not a perfect form of government, but it is decidedly better than the other forms so far devised by men. This is because it only can give an opportunity to every individual for self development. It has so far met many challenges and on its survival, depends the future of the human race.

   Democracy, in theory, at least means that every individual is equally important and that nobody should be neglected in what is done by government. The second important principle to be borne in mind particularly in present day India is that democracy means government by discussion. It is a government by consent. This rules out violence and direct action. The one important right which a minority has in an Indian democracy is to convert itself into a majority by constitutional means. In extreme case, it may even offer satyagraha, but that is a medicine to be taken occasionally and not as a daily dose, which is the present day tendency in India. But democracy is gradually becoming more and more ineffective and is being used to crush rather than increase the possibilities of freedom.

   Democracy, if it is to succeed, needs free and informal discussion of the government affairs. The people do not govern merely by having a right to choose their governors. They must have also the opportunity to understand and criticize the commissions and omissions of their leaders. A democracy requires a system of general education, an intelligent and independent press, and freedom of association and discussion.

   The great creative goal of Indian democracy is to awaken the peasantry. The role of the political parties in India will be determined by their sincerity, selflessness and organizing capacity in the great task of awakening the peasantry and giving a consciousness of its rights and powers. The battle of Indian democracy will not be fought in the halls of the assemblies. It will be fought in villages.

    In short, there is a danger to democracy in India by the professional politicians. There is enough to show that the democratic instincts of the people of India are sound and they will ultimately be able to rescue democracy from the clutches of those who are really out to destroy it.

    The people are on the march. The process of awakening is slow. But it can be said with optimism, that the future is very bright for the institution of democracy, despite Thomas Carlyle’s condemnation of democracy

  “Democracy, as a rule, means the despair of finding any heroes to govern you.”