Essay, Paragraph or Speech on “Has Indian Democracy Come Of Age?” Complete Essay, Speech for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Has Indian Democracy Come Of Age?

India today is the world’s largest functioning democracy. Eleven general elections have been held since we proclaimed ourselves a Sovereign, Democratic Republic on Jan. 26, 1950 and gave to ourselves a new Constitution. Whatever the aberrations and shortcomings in our system, we can proudly say today that democracy in India has come of age. For this we have only to took around us, in the sub-continent, the newly-liberated nations of Asia and Africa and instability in other parts of the world, to realize how fortune and envied we are in the successful functioning of the democratic system in this diverse land.

We, however, do not have to feel smug about the existing situation. There is a lot that needs to be done to make the functioning of the democratic system in the country smooth and efficient. But the very survival of the democratic instinct in our largely illiterate electorate is no mean achievement.

The etymological meaning of ‘democracy’ (rule-of the people) is clear. The people themselves are vested with the supreme power of governing the country. This is a concept borrowed from the West where, particularly since the French Revolution in 1789, the cries of Liberty, Equality, and fraternity have rent the air. The system has flourished in India although it has not been very successful on account of India’s diverse size and heterogeneous character as well as political and regional problems. Illiteracy, ignorance and poverty stalk the land. Our politicians still practice the British legacy of divide and rule to achieve their nefarious ends. This has been done since independence in the name of caste, religion and language. The cankers of communalism, casteism and linguism are major hurdles in the successful functioning of democracy in the country. Politicians’ strategy of emphasizing on ends, meanwhile heavily compromising with means, leads to frustration amongst the masses electing them and finally results in disenchantment with the very system that gave people the nefarious politicians.

There is nothing wrong with the system, but its implementation leaves much to be desired. Merely having a functioning democracy is not enough. It must be seen that it works well and in the larger interests of the people.

Despite these drawbacks, Indian democracy has certainly come of age today. Our electorate is mature enough to judge and vote as it has been revealed time and again, particularly in the 1977, 1989, and 1991 general elections. This is a silver lining in the dark clouds that engulf us today. Democracy has to be nurtured, sustained and protected even if we have to make the supreme sacrifice for it. Otherwise, dictatorship and autocratic rule shall creep in and damage the fabric of the nation further. Proper democratic functioning is the only panacea for the problems faced by the teeming millions of this country.

In order to make the functioning of democracy more successful, the provision of the right to recall people’s elected representatives (as it exists in Switzerland) must be incorporated in our system, so that leaders become more accountable and responsible to the people. Drastic change in our electoral system must be brought about so that elections are free, fair and impartial in the true sense of the term and that they inspire the confidence of the people. The four pillar of democracy, legislature, executive, judiciary and the press must be strengthened. The sanctity of these institutions must not be eroded. To top it all, political education must be imparted to the populace at all levels to make them aware of their rights as well as responsibilities. The vast networks of AIR and Doordarshan must be employed for this purpose. This would help curb the snowballing political violence and the cult of the gun that have become a part and parcel of Indian democracy today. Indian democracy has come of age. And if these measures are initiated and implemented, it will soon become the strongest system operating in the world and inspire other people to follow India’s lead.