Indian Democracy in Twenty-First Century

Indian Democracy in Twenty-First Century and Relevance of Nehru’s Ideas

-Dr. Ravindra Kumar*

After India’s freedom from the colonial rule in 1947, our national leaders having nucleus their experiences gained from the constitutional reforms which were initiated by the colonial government in the first-fifth decades of the twentieth century in general and the fourth-fifth decades of the same century in particular, decided to adopt the Parliamentary System of governance for the country. Later, they made a provision for it through the Constituent Assembly which framed the future Constitution of India. After the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, Parliamentary System was formally adopted.

Amongst the various forms of governance today democracy is the best. Reason being that in democracy power is held directly or indirectly by citizens under a free electoral system. Not only people decide their course for their future as they desire but they get opportunities at a wider scale to rise in different walks of life-social, political and economic. On the basis of the principle of equality they get opportunity to participate in the process of the governance. People mark their presence in the society and country. This clearly reflects the value of human life. Democracy undoubtedly accords maximum possibilities for the welfare of the people.

Democracy holds special significance in India as it is in India where it started functioning first, contrary to the general belief that democracy first appeared in the small city-states of Greece approximately 2000-2500 years ago. Democracy in India was existent in the Vedic era. This is evident from the existence of institutions like Sabha, Samiti and Viditha which functioned in democratic manner. The evidence of existence of at least seven republics like Shakya and Koliya during the time of Gautama Buddha strengthens India’s claim to it.

Historically despite the social, political and culture upheavals that India had to cross, the roots of democracy remained enrained in the Indian society. Democratic values became the part and parcel of life of common man in India. Thus, one can firmly contend that democracy has been, is and will be very significant for India.

After India gained independence from the colonial rule, among personalities who played vital role in the establishment of a Parliamentary System of governance in India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of them. Pandit Nehru not only led a democratic government in India for a period of seventeen years successfully, but he played a vital role in making provisions for many articles related to strengthening democratic institutions in the Constituent Assembly. Pandit Nehru was one of those three great Indians who left their impression on most of the articles included in the Indian Constitution. Besides him the other two great Indian leaders were: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B. Pattabhi Sitarammayya.

Pandit Nehru was himself the Chairman of the committee which made recommendations regarding Centre-States Relations. He was also the Chairman of important committees that suggested the process of election of the President of the Republic and his powers, and appointment and powers of the Governors in provinces. Besides, Pandit Nehru also played an important role in drafting the Preamble of the Constitution of India.

Pandit Nehru is known for his personal ideas on democracy. He was a great intellectual, scholar, and a writer. He had deep study in various subjects and had been a student of scholar like Herald J Laski. Based on his knowledge and ideas he introduced to the world a theory of Democratic Socialism. He tried to implement his policies according to his ideas in India, a country of unity in diversity. This can be considered his notable gift to the academic and intellectual world.

The statement, “The most important phenomenon of the post war era is the survival of the Indian democracy”, is not of much importance for a student of political science like me. It could attract the attention of others. But those who consider this to be amazing for them in particular, and for people like me in general, it is important to learn that Nehru played a vital role in making democratic institutions of India firm. His contribution to the development of the democratic Institution’s in India remains significant.

Constant change is inevitable. Every thing in the world, movable or immovable, is within the scope of the ‘Law of Change’. Institutions are also within its ambit and fall no exception. Therefore, making the institutions conducive to the changing time and space is necessary. Particularly, a great institution like democracy in which, according to Mahatma Gandhi there is always a possibility of abuse, demands extra care while functioning in India, a land of varied castes, classes and religious-communities, and where these institutions leave deep impact on all walks of life directly and indirectly and face challenges as well, the demand of extra care multiplies many fold. This is evident from the series of events over the last six decades of the Indian democracy.

The only way to maintain democracy and strengthening it is to accord solutions as per the demand of time and space In this regard, the views and methodology of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru can become more or less ideal for those who have concern for challenges facing Indian democracy. Particularly Nehru’s stress upon healthy criticism, according opportunities to opposition, providing a platform for wide discussion on issues, call to observe and resolve problems having national interest supreme, developing a basis for broad outlook, is of utmost importance in the Twenty-First Century for India and the world in this era of globalization.

The need of the hour is to make a critical analysis of ideas and methodologies of Nehru. Besides engaging in an open debate on the significance and relevance of his ideas in the current times, thereupon drawing a conclusion on the possibilities of strengthening democracies is required. I am sure, we would, more or less, gain through it for the purpose.

ENDS

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