This excerpt is motivated by “গণতন্ত্র কেন মূল্যবান, ভারত তার নিদর্শন”
By Derek O’Brien published in The Anandabazar – Tue 14th Aug, 2012
Just like any frustrated man we say in a light tone that democracy has failed to achieve the cherished dream seen by our freedom fighters. The hullabaloo made by our urban society and media regarding democracy are the expression of listlessness. Few glimpses of what democracy has given so far after 64 years of our Independence are enumerated by Derek Derek O’Brien. Those are no mean achievements by a democracy compared to other forms of governance present elsewhere in the world. Let us go through some of his observations.
- Observation-1: The big business houses of India are run by higher caste Hindus in majority. If they are asked that whom they would like to see as the next Prime Minister of India. The answer will be Mr. Narendra Modi, CM of Gujrat, or Mr. Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar. The paradox is both of the CMs are from Other Backward Caste (OBC). Just after independence it was unthinkable that higher caste will prefer some lower caste to become the PM of India. This one unthinkable was made possible due to democracy.
- Observation 2: In Rajasthan and West Bengal it was found that in several villages lady Gram Panchayat Pradhans were elected in two consecutively elections. People put their faith on the leadership of lady Panchayat Pradahans. Fifty years ago this scenario was unthinkable due to our closed mindset. This is also an achievement of democracy.
- Observation 3: A decade ago all children in a school eating midday meal, sitting in the same row, was unusual though not impossible. If we rewind back to several thousands year of India’s history, probably, this is the first generation we are getting those who are not bothered about “untouchability”- the legacy we inherited from pre-independence era. Whether the children are getting a good quality education is questionable but the untouchable, lower caste section of our society are assuming it normal to send their children to schools. This is no small achievement.
- Observation 4: Several institutions like Parliament, Legislative Assembly, Samity, Panchayat, Supreme Court, High courts, Lower courts, CAG, Election Commission, and many more are actually the instruments those are running the democratic system. So many years after Independence their acceptability have grown among our people. For example two decades ago everybody was indignant about rigging during general election. Now the Election Commission of India has become successful to increase the authenticity of voting process. Panchayat system has got the legitimacy in the year 1992 in the 70th revision of Constitution of India. People may be unhappy with the functioning of some Panchayats but 70-80% people are voting in the Panchayat Vote. They are participating in the planning process for the development of their village.
With all its inefficiencies democracy in India has flourished compared to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc. Armies are taking the ruling positions again and again in those countries. Democracy is throttled. Minorities are heckled, women and children are oppressed. Therefore, let us be proud of democracy, proud of India and her people.
