National Democracy Day in India, often hailed as the world’s largest democracy, navigates a complex political landscape. Its government draws inspiration from the British Westminster system, featuring a president as the head of state, an executive branch led by the prime minister, a bicameral legislature comprising the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, and a judiciary presided over by the supreme court.
In this Article
The Lok Sabha, with 543 members, witnesses elections through a first-past-the-post system every five years. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha members, serving staggered six-year terms, are indirectly elected by state legislatures, with around one-third changing every two years.
National Democracy Day in India
Safeguarding India’s Democratic Principles
India’s constitution serves as the bedrock of its political framework. It delineates the country’s political principles, federal structure, governmental powers, and guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens, encompassing equality before the law, freedom of speech, assembly, and more.
However, India’s political landscape bears the intricate weight of its caste system, a hierarchical social structure that stratifies the Hindu majority into distinct groups. Despite constitutional prohibitions against caste discrimination and the introduction of quotas for job and education equity, caste dynamics significantly influence political choices in some regions.
Keywords: India’s constitution, caste system, political parties, democracy
The Interplay of Secularism and Religion
While India’s constitution defines it as a secular state, acknowledging the diverse religious tapestry of its population, religion wields considerable influence in its political arena. Politicians often court votes based on religious or caste affiliations, making religious diversity a pivotal factor in Indian politics.
Unlike the United States constitution, which explicitly separates church and state, India’s constitution focuses on preventing the persecution of individuals based on their religious beliefs, leaving room for religious influences in politics.
Keywords: Secularism, Indian politics, religious diversity, democracy
Tracing the History of Indian Democracy
India’s tryst with democracy unfolded after gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The Indian National Congress Party, synonymous with the revered Mahatma Gandhi, initially dominated the political landscape. Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent Congress leader, served as the prime minister for 17 years, anchoring Congress’s electoral supremacy for four decades.
Despite India’s astonishing diversity in terms of languages, religions, and regional variations, Congress adeptly managed these differences by redrawing state boundaries along linguistic lines. Rather than imposing a centralized state, they formed a coalition of regional powerbrokers.
Keywords: Indian National Congress, Jawaharlal Nehru, coalition governments, democracy
The Gandhi Dynasty and Political Evolution
The Gandhi dynasty, although unrelated to Mahatma Gandhi, played a pivotal role in the Congress party’s politics. Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter, assumed leadership but eventually lost power to a coalition government in 1977, marking India’s first non-Congress government.
Over the years, Congress’s electoral dominance eroded, but the party continued to rely on the Gandhi family for leadership. Rajiv Gandhi briefly led Congress back to power in 1985 following his mother Indira’s assassination. However, this victory did not signal a return to Congress’s former dominance.
Keywords: Gandhi dynasty, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Congress party, democracy
The Emergence of Narendra Modi and the BJP
In 2014, a transformative shift occurred with the election of Narendra Modi as prime minister. Modi, known for his efficient governance in Gujarat, attracted support from Indian industrialists and garnered attention for his Hindu nationalist beliefs. His tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat was marred by the 2002 Gujarat riots, a period of communal violence.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an outright majority in the 2014 general election with 31% of the popular vote, gaining 282 seats. In 2019, the BJP increased its majority, winning 37% of the vote and securing 303 seats.
The BJP primarily draws its support from populous, economically disadvantaged Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. However, it aspires to expand its influence across the nation.
Keywords: Narendra Modi, BJP, Indian elections, democracy
Democracy’s Challenges in India
India faces formidable challenges on its democratic journey. The foremost concern revolves around its inability to deliver sustained economic development, akin to its neighboring giant, China. Poverty, particularly in populous states like Uttar Pradesh, continues to persist.
A stark divide exists between educated elites in cosmopolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai and the impoverished masses in rural areas. Low-wage, low-skilled jobs remain the reality for millions of young Indians, fueling disenchantment among a significant voting population.
Indian nationalism and populism have capitalized on this discontent, often scapegoating religious minorities and exacerbating divisions within the society.
Keywords: Economic development, poverty, Indian nationalism, populism, democracy
India’s democratic journey, marked by historical milestones and contemporary challenges, remains a compelling narrative in the annals of political evolution. While democracy’s path may be fraught with hurdles, it continues to be the guiding light in India’s quest for a more equitable and prosperous future.