Strengthening of Indian Democracy

India is the world's largest and one of the most vibrant democracies. India has successfully adopted democracy and its principles in its politics. Considering the vast landscape and the rich diversity, democracy provides an equal playing field for everyone to play an essential role in the decision-making process. The democracy harmoniously accommodates different ideologies, caste, ethnic groups, regions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Many feared that the democratic experiment would fail when India got independent, considering its vast landscape, illiteracy, and poverty. During Independence, democracy was successful in rich, smaller and educated, industrialized European nations. Never before has democracy been tried in such a large scale and diversified setting.

India proved everyone wrong by successfully positioning it as a stable liberal democracy. It had undergone many changes and challenges in its run, but the democratic fabric was never threatened. The seeds of strengthening democracy and its institutions were laid when it successfully conducted its first post-independence election in 1951. Since then, there has been no looking behind. We were able to strive towards development and progress successfully using democracy as a method of governance. The pace of progress may be subjected to debate. One thing that must be accepted is that we were never stagnant, stuck as a nation. The wheels of the country were always moving. We proved our doubters wrong, who suspected India's democratic experiment would crumble, collapse soon, and come under authoritarian rule. India has progressed to be one of its fastest-growing economies through its democratic methods.

As we are in the 75th year of Independence, the country's landscape has undergone many changes, be it social, economic, cultural, political, etc. Our democracy has evolved to adapt to these changes. As long as there is an amount of political awareness among the masses, no matter what happens, the threats to democracy will be easily handed. People have taken to the streets whenever they feel their govt has been autocratic and has clamped on their rights and privileges guaranteed by the constitution

But, it is also true that our democracy is not perfect. It has its own set of challenges, which it has to battle time and again for a better tomorrow. Thus, here are some of the ways by which our democracy can be strengthened and improved.

Participation of youth in electoral politics

Swami Vivekananda once said,"Give me 100 young energetic men and I shall transform India. My faith is in younger generations,modern generations. They will work out whole problems like lions'.It's highly important that educated, sincere, diligent , enterprising youths take the public life to take the country forward.

Dr. S.J .Michael , Head , department of Political Science,Kristu Jayanti College states,''A youth with sound education background, modern thinking, risk taking abilities would be more apt to face the new age challenges of democracy.''

He further adds, '' Youth symbolizes rationality.He wont be bounded by the silly age old barriers of caste, creed , color etc.'

An open is what our country needs to march towards better society. A youth would be always open to innovation in way of governance thus leading to progress.

Electoral politics has to rise above caste, religious identity etc.

For a better democracy, it is highly important that Indian people do away with the politics of caste, religious identity etc. such politics is highly toxic and it could harm the democratic fabric of the country. It’s sad that politicians often woo voters in the name of caste or religious identity. Many politicians or political parties make a people of certain caste or religious group as their vote bank. They polarize their vote bank for electoral victory . This kind of politics has to be curbed..

According to Dr Kaveri Swamy, Asistant Professor in Political Science, Kristu Jayanti College,"There should be practice of developmental politics for better democracy. People should cast votes to particular parties, politicians judging the welfare or development work done by them. People should be elected based on their administration, governance rather than the caste or religion which they belong or ideology they are affiliated with. Such politics ensures that right, deserving, diligent people get into public office.

Corruption has to be eliminated.

Corruption is the cancer to the Indian polity which will slowly result in the country’s doom. It’s a very pitiable state that people can make anything done by bribing money or property etc. to public authorities. In other countries, you need to pay a bribe to do something unethical or to do something against law. Whereas, it’s really unfortunate in our system that a common man has to pay a bribe to public officials so that they do the duties which they are supposed to discharge for public service or welfare.

Dr Sneha, retired Political Science professor states,"If corruption is rooted out, the public funds which go into big neta and their associates bank accounts or pockets are utilized towards developmental projects , schemes etc."

Political parties spend huge amounts of money, liquor etc. to buy the poor voters. Parties spend humongously in elections which have to be effectively monitored by poll authorities so that money does not engulf the people's wishes or choices leading to coming of corrupt unethical people to power.

Dr S.J. Michael states,"There is a dire need for strong anti-corruption laws to eliminate corruption. People should fear taking as well as giving bribes. When corruption is eliminated, good governance is facilitated. Fund that is there in the public treasury is justly used for public welfare."

These are some of the ways by which Indian democracy could be made stronger , better , effective . Its high time that politiciabs , civil groups , common man etc come together and work for creating a even stronger, better democracy.

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