DEMOCRACY IN INDIA

BY FAZILA

1ST YR. BA.LLB. (HONS.)

SHARDA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF LAW

JUNE 2024

Abstract

The Constitution of India adopted in 1950 established India as a democratic country committed to the principle of rule by the people. This democracy guarantees political, economic and social rights through responsible representative government, universal adult suffrage and an independent judiciary. The Preamble of the Constitution of India states this, emphasizing the will of the people as expressed through free, fair and regular elections. Central features of Indian democracy are the protection of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, the right to criticize the government and the ability to change governments through constitutional means. It guarantees equal rights and legal treatment to all citizens, including minorities, and ensures that no group is discriminated against. The federal structure gives the state the right to make independent decisions on certain issues, which reflects the principle of shared power and prevents the centralization of power.

The positive aspects of Indian democracy are the opportunity for citizens to freely express their opinions, the protection of minorities and the promotion of equal opportunities for all. The system is designed to keep the government accountable to the people and improve the quality of decision-making through the participation of alternative parties and public scrutiny.

However, Indian democracy faces serious challenges. Coalition politics, particularly evident in the 1990s, sometimes led to unstable and ineffective governments. The democratic process can also delay urgent decisions, and elected officials can prioritize political interests over the public welfare, leading to racial, class and gender inequalities.

In conclusion, Indian democracy as defined in its constitution strives to ensure justice, equality, liberty and fraternity to all citizens. It provides a forum for citizens to express their opinions and influence government actions, thereby promoting a sense of brotherhood and collective progress. Despite its challenges, democracy in India remains a dynamic system that adapts and evolves in a constant effort to improve the lives of its people.

Importance of Democracy in the Constitution of India

India became a democratic nation after the constitution was drafted in 1950 and since then has protected its democracy. Democracy, in simple words, means that people can express their opinion without pressure. It basically means “people power”.

To form a People’s Government/People’s Government, at least five important questions must be resolved before it can begin, and two more questions will almost certainly be raised to preserve a democratic republic

The term Democracy in India Introduction means that the form of government approved by the Indian Constitution is based on the will of the people as expressed in elections. used to provide political, economic and social democracy, among other things.

The hallmarks of Indian democracy include responsible representative governments, universal adult suffrage, one vote, one value, unlimited judiciary, etc.

Positive Aspects

Democracy has some positive aspects that give the people of a country the opportunity to express themselves as they wish. These aspects are-

1. Democracy gives the right to freedom of expression, dissent and criticism of the current government.

2. The people have the right to replace unwanted governments by constitutional means. 3. The basic rights of people are limited by obligations to the state.

4. Democracy was created to protect minorities and ensure them equal justice under the law.

5. Fair treatment and play of rich and poor, private citizens and public officials.

6. Freedom to express controversial or unpopular ideas.

Principles of Democracy

There are principles behind every key word in the introduction of India. If we talk about the principles of democracy, they are as follows-

1. The word democracy is a combination of two words – “demos” means the entire citizenry of the city-state and “Kratos” means power.

2. According to general agreement, liberal democracies are based on four basic ideas.

3. People are believed because they are believed to be rational and moral.

 4. Belief in logic and progress is based on the ideas that political compromise is an art, and that human growth and development are states of nature.

5. Trust the principle of a consensual society, driven by a desire for coordination and repetition rather than confusion and conflict.

6. Based on distrust of centralized power and belief in common power.

Advantages of Indian Democracy

1. Citizens of India have the right to choose their leaders and it avoids monopoly of power. There is an executive, legislative and judicial branch. Each keeps the other in check because no single branch of government can control all power.
2. Indian democracy promotes equality irrespective of their caste, colour, creed, creed and sex.
3. Leaders elected by citizens bring a sense of duty to them. This means that they would act responsibly and work for the betterment of society.
4. Citizens are aware of what is happening politically. In other words, during elections, political parties propose programs and policies that support them, which mediate the political awareness of the people.
5. It promotes change without violence. If the citizens of the country are not satisfied with the leaders, they have the opportunity to choose another leader in the next election. 

Disadvantages of Indian democracy

1. There is a risk of electing the wrong representative as the leader. People can prefer and vote for a representative based on his caste, creed etc. Therefore, it is possible that the chosen representative is not the right choice.
2. Leaders are chosen for quantity, not quality. In other words, the director with the largest number of votes is elected as a director, regardless of his previous experience as a director.
3. Implementation of a law or plan takes a long time. Because all laws or actions need the approval of both the ruling party in the parliament and the opposition to act. It is difficult to convince both parties.
4. Leaders’ promises never to come true. During the electoral campaigns, the representatives of each district promised certain jobs to the inhabitants of the district. But once elected, they never show up to keep their word.
5. Democracy causes candidates to participate in corruption. Elected candidates may abuse their powers to use unethical means for personal gain and engage in corrupt practices.

Characteristics of Democracy

There are many characteristics associated with democracy.

1. Free, fair and regular elections 

o In every democratic country, the voice of the people is represented in by-elections, so elections should be held regularly.

o These choices are ways they can influence the government and change it to their liking. These elections must be completely open and fair, so that every adult citizen of the nation can vote.

2. Representation of Minorities 
3. o Nations must guarantee equal civil rights to all their inhabitants. Minorities should not be mistreated or marginalized, and the legal authorities of the country should take all reasonable steps to help them achieve equality in life and livelihood.
4. Freedom of speech, expression and choice

o A democracy that does not bother to listen to people’s voices and opinions is ineffective.

o The voice of the public should be heard without limitation, even if it is critical of the ruling party. It allows people to freely form their own opinions and express themselves for revenge.

5. Federal Rights 

o Article 1 of the Indian Constitution gives the states the right to decide on a small number of issues independently of the federal government. All states must follow all laws issued by the federal government.

6. Right to Education 

o In a democratic society everyone has the right to education without any discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, creed or race. This law stipulates that children between 6 and 14 years of age have a minimum level of education.

7. Same law for all

o Democracy gives equal status to every citizen, which means that everyone has the same rights and laws.

o Celebrities and famous people are subject to the same laws as ordinary citizens of the country. In India, the law treats everyone equally under all conditions.

Challenges in Democracy 

There is always room for challenges and advantages. One cannot exist without the other. Let’s look at the challenges facing democracy.

1. As shown by India’s coalition politics in the 1990s, which produced short-lived governments, frequent elections and conflicting political ideas led to unstable and ineffective governments.
2. Even when the matter is urgent, democratic processes cause delays in decision-making. 
3. Elected politicians may make decisions that are not in the best interest of the population, but rather serve their own political goals, such as racial, class, and gender inequality.

Conclusion on Democratic Meaning in Indian Constitution

India is a democratic country where every citizen has equal rights. Rights to education, speech, opinion, law, etc. These basic human rights are the key to a democratic society. The preamble of India is a preamble that conveys these messages through a few key words, where democracy refers to the power to express one’s opinion and choose an appropriate government that ensures justice (social justice, economic justice, political justice), equality, freedom and brotherhood for all. Democracy benefits people by giving them the opportunity to stand up and express their heart for the betterment of the country and increases the sense of brotherhood by giving equal status to minorities as well. A democratic government is open to all kinds of criticism in order to better understand people’s views and opinions.

In conclusion, a democratic country like India does not discriminate people and gives equal status and rights to work in concert.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: What does democracy mean in the context of Indian Constitution?

Answer 1: In the Constitution of India, democracy means a form of government based on the will of the people expressed in regular, free and fair elections. It guarantees political, economic and social rights and promotes equality, freedom and justice for all citizens.

Question 2. When did India become a democratic country?

Answer 2: India became a democratic country on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India came into force.

Question 3: What are the salient features of Indian democracy? 

Answer 3. Key features include responsible representative government, universal adult suffrage, freedom of speech and expression, protection of minority rights, an independent judiciary, regular elections, and the rule of law.

Question 4: What are the positive aspects of Indian democracy?

Answer 4: Positive aspects include the protection of fundamental rights, the ability to constitutionally change governments, equal justice for all citizens, the ability to freely express opinions and the protection of minorities.

Question 5. What are the challenges facing Indian democracy?

Answer 5. Challenges include political instability due to coalition politics, delays in decision-making processes, and the potential for elected officials to prioritize political interests over the public good, leading to issues such as race, class, and gender inequality.

Question 6: How does the Indian Constitution protect the rights of minorities?

Answer 6: The Constitution of India guarantees equal civil rights to all residents and ensures that minorities are not mistreated or excluded. There are legislative measures to help minorities achieve equality in life and livelihood.

Question 7: What role does induction play in Indian democracy?

Answer 7: The Preamble sets the tone for the Constitution emphasizing the principles of justice, equality, freedom and fraternity. It emphasizes the democratic basis of the people and ensures that the government is based on the will of the people. 

Question 8. How does India’s federal structure support democracy?

Answer 8: A federal structure allows states to manage certain things independently, which prevents centralization of power and provides a common governance model that respects regional autonomy within the framework of the Constitution.

Question 9: What fundamental rights does Indian democracy provide?

Answer 9: Fundamental rights include freedom of speech, expression and choice, the right to education, equal treatment under the law and the right to criticize and replace the government through constitutional means.

Question 10: Why are free and fair elections important in a democracy?

Answer10. Free and fair elections are essential because they ensure that government reflects the will of the people and allow citizens to influence and change government as they see fit. This process supports government legitimacy and accountability.

Question 11. How does Indian democracy ensure accountability?

Answer 11: Indian democracy ensures accountability through regular elections, an independent judiciary and the opportunity for citizens to express their views and criticize the actions of the government. These mechanisms make the government accountable to the people.

Question 12: What is the importance of universal adult suffrage in Indian democracy?

Answer 12. Universal adult suffrage means that every adult citizen has the right to vote regardless of gender, caste, creed or socio-economic status. This principle ensures equal participation in the democratic process and reflects the inclusive nature of Indian democracy.