Democracy is Real or Veneer in today's scenario

AUTHOR- SHRAMVENDRA SINGH, LAW CENTRE 1, FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF DELHI.

1)Inherent idea about democracy

Democracy can refer to an ideal or doctrine, a type of behaviour towards other, or to certain institutional or legal arrangements. It carries with it social moral or political agenda that gets thrown about in our lives with recent understanding that it Institute individual freedom and the power to a voice it is probably fair to say that we take it for granted and consider it a natural privilege.

The concept of democracy is political in origin. Yet its principles are something that connect each of us. It gives freedom to do as which was it gives opportunity to vote and not to be discriminated on basis of caste, colour, sex, religion or place of birth. It is something that is being constantly refined over time. In which ruling government plays a vital role.

2.) Historical approach

The place from where we started looks at the classical democracy is of Greece and Roman Republic in ancient Greece democracy helped create an active citizenry dedicated to public business. The Roman Republic system value for Republic were consciously taught and allowed others to learn.

“Democracy can't succeed unless those who expressed their choice are prepared to choose wisely – Real safeguard is Education”[1]

Education plays a vital role in society building as well as development of Democratic Institutions Plato in his book 'the Republic” discuss about flaws of democracy by comparing a society to a ship in this he focus on skill of voting in an election and like any skill, it needs to be taught systematically to people[2]. Letting the citizenry vote without an education is an irresponsible as putting democracy in lackadaisical position.

3.) Real or just a veneer democracy

Democracy is strengthened by truth, knowledge and information which restrain the government autocracy. According to American political scientist Larry Diamond democracy consists of four pillars-[3]

i) A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair election;

ii) Active participation of the people, as citizen, in politics and civil life;

iii) Protection of human rights and all citizens without any discrimination;

iv) The rule of law in which the law and procedure applies equally to all citizens.

Real democracy exist with this four pillars stand firm. It is good when participation in democracy is voluntary. The rule of law is upheld and dissent tolerated.

Pillar-I : Political System

A well political system is that survived through crisis without internal or external pressure i.e. a stable political system. The essence of real democracy does not depend on the detailed management of society or close control over social process but it is the result of sensitive political response to a forces of change, of flexible and adjustment of structure of system to meet the presence of innovation, and of open political process that allow gradual and orderly development.

Such evolutionary change is possible when represented institutions provide effective channel for the communication of demand and criticisms to the government. But in reality it was not allow, who try to put his views or disagree with the governments Niti become treason.

“It is always say people should not be afraid of their government, government should afraid of their people”[4]- but present situation is exactly opposite.

Pillar-II : Active Participation of People

The etymological root of democracy itself imply that 'people are the power’ and it is government of people for their people. Participation here not only political participation it involved from voting to directly influencing the implementation of public policies. Participatory democracy is primarily concerned with ensuring that citizens are afforded an opportunity to participate or otherwise be involved in decision making on matters that affect their lives.

At present people’s participation is few and these person lacks skill of voting as discuss by Plato in his book “the Republic”-peoples not acting in intellectual democracy but as in veneer democracy it is be like a death of democracy.

Well said “The death of democracy is not likely to be an accusation from ambush. It will be a slow extension from apathy, indifference and undernourishment”[5] People indifference, lack of education and knowledge leads to a dark democracy.

Pillar-III : Protection of citizens Rights

These includes the individuals right common to most, such as, equality before law, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion and culture, right to constitutional remedies etc. these are fundamental rights enshrined in our constitution. It is duty of the ruling government to protect each and every individual rights.

These above rights can also link to human rights. Human rights have been significantly elevated and are now advance as fundamental part of democratic development. Asserting access to basic service for everyone like food, cloth and shelter along with education, health pollution free environment should be priority of every democratic country.

But it is frequently seen these basic rights are trampled by government. ‘Democracy is just attractive appearance that covers true nature of feeling[6]’ it is seen in many aspects equality become class of only elite people, poorer are neglected and discriminated. It is seen caste, religion, sex discrimination happen almost everyday and everywhere in our country. At the name of jingoistic nationalism people face discrimination on religion basis, one religion try to dominate the other. All these create a situation fear and make clear way for dark democracy. Situation is like when 'Government asked to bent a choose to crawl'.

Pillar-IV : Rule of Law

Rule of law is paramount as it is basic structure of constitution held in most famous case kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala[7] by Supreme Court. The underlying premise of rule of law implies that every citizen is subject to an accountable under the law. In this sense the rule of law seems to encourage governance through democracy created for and by the people as much as it stands in stark contrast to the concept of dictatorship, autocracy and oligarchy where those in positions of power and governance conduct their affairs outside and above of the purview of law. Nemocracy[8] (rule of law) and Democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing that they belong to the universal and individual core value and principles of constitution.

Here Judiciary role is significant it has to four main responsibilities including formulating the rule of law through the interpretation and application of the law to respond with a verdict, settling disputes, checking legality and being a player in a state politics.

It seems among these pillar of democracy the 4th pillar of the Judiciary is the weakest with no ground to defend or voice its opinion. As it is often seen peoples unabated and unprecedented attack on the judges, this succumbed the sancity of Judiciary as well as constitution in a democratic country.

In the latest interview former Supreme Court judge Justice Deepak Gupta discuss this issue. He say “the duty of fairness and principle of natural justice have been established by the courts through Judicial review. Further he said dissent is the symbol of vibrant democracy it should be welcome.”[9]

Last Pillar: Media

Media constitutes also one of the pillar of democracy. The role of media is vital in generating a democratic culture that extends beyond the political system it serves as watchdogs that we rely on for uncovering errors and wrongdoings by those who have power.

It should be the duty of media to supply the political information on which voters base their decision. They identify problems in our society and serve as medium for deliberation but the condition is totally different media is now a days captured by ruling government fairly say media is puppet in hands of ruling government. Now days is very famous word as popular that is a ‘Godi media'[10] it symbolises how government completely engulf the whole media and lead to a dark democracy.

“For a vibrant democracy it is necessary that media should speak the truth and not the governments version and the government should also ensure safety and protection of journalist who are critical to it”-without free press democracy can't survive.

4.) Todays scenario of Democracy

We are living in the 21st century a modern era in which the current situation of India is not so good it is like Orwellian state. However, within such moments it is important not to forget the otherwise unprecedented freedom and equality that is granted us. The worth of democracy become self evident through how we live our lives and faces the daily challenges that happening in our society which directly or indirectly affect the society.

In reality for many, become so obvious sometimes that they fail to appreciate its value. People in democratic country behave like the lancet. They don't realise that with all its defect democracy is the best available form of government. Today the world has more than 100 democratic countries while 80 are autocracy.[11] But truth can’t be deny the democracy is are in decline in the last two decades more and more countries have become less and less democratic among them India is one of them.

5.) Way forward

Despite these are shortcomings 'Let the people rule'- the essence of democracy lies in this. Misuse of State Power and politics can be reduced and eliminated only if people participated on a larger scale in running affairs of the state.

Public opinion needs to be mobilized on all. The judicial system will have to be overhauled drastically to ensure that justice is dispensed swiftly in all cases.

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Reference//-

1.Book: Democracy- A short Introduction by Bernard Crick.

2.Book: Words that Bind- judicial review and grounds of modern constitutional theory by John Aurther.

3.http//-magntacarta800th.com _What Democarcy Mean to us Today.

4. E-newspaper indianexpress.com

5, livelaw.com

6.http//-indianjournalismreview.com

[1] Quote- Benjamin Franklin political philosopher [2] Plato's Book 'the Republic' Socrates conversation with a character called Adeimantus. [3] Larry Jay Diamond is an American political scholar in the field of democracy studies. [4] By Hugo Weaving' character V. [5] Editorial Indian Express [6]John Aurther in is book 'Words that Bind' -Judicial review and modern constitutional theory. [7] (case citation: (1973) 4 SCC 225) is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court. [8] Greece word 'Nemo' means Law and 'Cracy' means Rule. [9] Livelaw Justice Deepak Gupta interview. [10] Indian Journalism review. [11] When democracy was shackle- Ram Madhav (National General Secretary BJP)