In the preamble to the Constitution of India, it is stated that "WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity." So, according to Constitution of India, we are a 'democratic republic.' But, is democracy all about creating a constitutional status? Certainly not!!! So, three pillars of democracy were setup and these are legislature, executive and judiciary. Later, 'press' was assumed to be 4th pillar of democracy. All pillars have well defined areas of responsibility and powers. While legislature is elected by people, executive and judiciary is formed according to a well-defined selection process. Legislature is for planning policies, executive is for implementing them, whereas judiciary is for administration of justice in the country. As we have parliamentarian democracy, so people are represented through legislation. But, the three pillars should not overlap as stepping on other's toe may spell trouble. Thus, these specialities of our system make us call it democratic.
Even though Constitution of India has guaranteed democratic setup to all its people but then also people feel neglected and cornered. It is usual to hear from people,"We're not free and they all use us." When a large section of society feel ignored, there is a need for checking the organization again. And, a close study of our so-called democratic set-up shows that we have only right to elect people who can rule over us. It can be explained by going through the history. Democracy is not a modern concept. It also existed during the period of Budha. So, it can be asked- at that time also elections were held? Historians say no. But a question to be asked to ourselves-are elections and democracy same? It is unfortunate that we've misunderstood democracy with the concept of election system. Democracy is not only election of representative, in fact election is the first step towards democracy.
During medieval period, there was no election system and a son of king used to be the next king . But all the major issues like irrigation, health, education, etc were discussed in Gram Sabhas. Gram Sabha used to be an important meeting of all villagers to decide on major issues. This concept of Gram Sabha continued upto when Britishers came to India and colonized it. In 1830, Lord Metcalfe, then acting Governor-general of India, wrote, "Gram Sabhas are the foundation of India." Around 1840, Lord Maccon quoted,"if we want to rule over India we'll have to dismantle Gram Sabhas." In 1860s, British govt. brought Collector system which stated there would a collector, a british officer, in a district and all the powers of Gram Sabha were transferred to that Collector. Thus, irrigation system which was earlier controlled by people now came under an irrigation department and same happened to other issues. So, the power of people, which is democracy, was transferred to British officers. Because of that India faced setbacks in the form of drought, famine, illiteracy, etc. This was when people felt enslaved. People could not take decisions about themselves and their own issues. Indians had to beg english Collectors to meet their demands. Eventually, people felt need of free-India where resources of people could be utilized by Indians and no-begging for needs.
Unfortunately, when India became free India adopted British like system. In place of an english collector came an Indian collector and in place of a British govt. came an Indian govt. The power of people was not returned to people. Thus still we beg Collectors, Commissioners and ministers (although they are Indian but still we beg). If we want our roads to be built, we beg Municipality Commissioner; if we want a hospital in our locality, we beg health deptt. Commissioner and so on. Although we all raise revenue for govt. by paying taxes, we can not decide budget to be utilized for us. This power centralization resulted in rampant corruption in our country. Thus, it can be concluded that there is absence of local self-governance and power of government needs more dissolution.
Need for local self-governance has been raised time-to-time in India. Rajiv Gandhi was the first Prime Minister to raise this issue. 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment speak about local self-governance. Unfortunately, these are weak and inefficient amendments and a major change in power centralization is required. In the current system, power remains with govt. and if govt. do not work well, nobody can put a check on govt. There is absence of feedback type system. Gram Sabhas at village-level and Nagar Sabhas at town and city-level may work as feedback system and can put a check on govt. Efficient democracies all over the world have such type of system. US has well-defined and efficient democratic setup at local level. Municipality take decisions with wishes of people and regular Town meetings are held ( read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_meeting). In Brazil, process of participatory budgeting is practised since 1989. A world Bank paper suggests that participatory budgeting has led to direct improvements in facilities in Brazil (read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_budgeting). And, there are numerous examples of self-governance, which leads to participatory democracy.
World looks at India as a 'young democracy.' India committed many mistakes, but still it has time to learn and correct them. But, corrective measures are to be implemented as early as possible because people can no more afford to lose in this fast developing world. JAI HIND
During medieval period, there was no election system and a son of king used to be the next king . But all the major issues like irrigation, health, education, etc were discussed in Gram Sabhas. Gram Sabha used to be an important meeting of all villagers to decide on major issues. This concept of Gram Sabha continued upto when Britishers came to India and colonized it. In 1830, Lord Metcalfe, then acting Governor-general of India, wrote, "Gram Sabhas are the foundation of India." Around 1840, Lord Maccon quoted,"if we want to rule over India we'll have to dismantle Gram Sabhas." In 1860s, British govt. brought Collector system which stated there would a collector, a british officer, in a district and all the powers of Gram Sabha were transferred to that Collector. Thus, irrigation system which was earlier controlled by people now came under an irrigation department and same happened to other issues. So, the power of people, which is democracy, was transferred to British officers. Because of that India faced setbacks in the form of drought, famine, illiteracy, etc. This was when people felt enslaved. People could not take decisions about themselves and their own issues. Indians had to beg english Collectors to meet their demands. Eventually, people felt need of free-India where resources of people could be utilized by Indians and no-begging for needs.
Unfortunately, when India became free India adopted British like system. In place of an english collector came an Indian collector and in place of a British govt. came an Indian govt. The power of people was not returned to people. Thus still we beg Collectors, Commissioners and ministers (although they are Indian but still we beg). If we want our roads to be built, we beg Municipality Commissioner; if we want a hospital in our locality, we beg health deptt. Commissioner and so on. Although we all raise revenue for govt. by paying taxes, we can not decide budget to be utilized for us. This power centralization resulted in rampant corruption in our country. Thus, it can be concluded that there is absence of local self-governance and power of government needs more dissolution.
Need for local self-governance has been raised time-to-time in India. Rajiv Gandhi was the first Prime Minister to raise this issue. 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment speak about local self-governance. Unfortunately, these are weak and inefficient amendments and a major change in power centralization is required. In the current system, power remains with govt. and if govt. do not work well, nobody can put a check on govt. There is absence of feedback type system. Gram Sabhas at village-level and Nagar Sabhas at town and city-level may work as feedback system and can put a check on govt. Efficient democracies all over the world have such type of system. US has well-defined and efficient democratic setup at local level. Municipality take decisions with wishes of people and regular Town meetings are held ( read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_meeting). In Brazil, process of participatory budgeting is practised since 1989. A world Bank paper suggests that participatory budgeting has led to direct improvements in facilities in Brazil (read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_budgeting). And, there are numerous examples of self-governance, which leads to participatory democracy.
World looks at India as a 'young democracy.' India committed many mistakes, but still it has time to learn and correct them. But, corrective measures are to be implemented as early as possible because people can no more afford to lose in this fast developing world. JAI HIND
good one! But if you suggest some constructive measures in the next blogs, I'd appreciate it. Jai Hind!
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