Discuss economic backwardness as a major challenge of Indian democracy. Can democracy and development go together smoothly?
India’s inability to attain egalitarian socio-economic development is one of the crippling factors which derail the democratic way of life gradually. Without proper nutrition, education and a healthy standard of living a citizen is not and cannot be expected to participate proactively in the democratic political life. Out of this poor lot whoever participates in political activities is either by compulsion or threat or misguidance. This is not a healthy sign for sustaining a democratic way of life.
The democratic development in India is frustrated by multiple crises: massive corruption; criminalization of politics; voter’s apathy; fragmentation of the party system; decline in the executive, legislative and judicial accountability; strained federal relations due to over-centralization of power; inability of the democratic system to root out or substantially reduce socio-economic inequalities; aggravation of caste and religious conflicts etc. Utilizing the poor man’s inabilities as investment, Political parties have mostly ceased to function as credible mediators between the people and the government. The liberal humanistic principles which can result in the establishment of a just and humane society have been subjected to criminal negligence.
Democracy and development go together. Development can be achieved only when all basic requirements which ensure a healthy standard of living and thereby enhancing the proactive participation in political life. India as a democratic country would need to address the lack of access of a large majority of Indians, particularly women and dalits, to education, health, water, sanitation and a clean environment.
We have been provided with a good political machine called Democracy. But it is we the people who have not operated this democratic machinery properly and have failed it. Let us yield to liberality and rationalism and channelize our energies towards establishing a truly egalitarian democratic society.
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