“ Our democracy is but a name. We vote. What does that mean? It means that we choose between two bodies of real, though not avowed autocrats” says Helen Keller! How true the statement is! Elections happen regularly, people vote mechanically, governments are formed but nothing changes! Hardships of the common man continue. Water scarcity, inflation, red tape, neglect of the basic amenities stare at the man on the street! There is intense competition between the candidates, all for power and position! “ In every well governed state, wealth is a sacred thing. In democracies it is the only sacred thing” comments Anatole France. Politics has become a business and democracy has come in handy for members to make money! “The ballot is stronger than the bullet” comments Abraham Lincoln! But are our elections free from violence? Fights between parties, murders and other atrocities are common during elections. Bribing the voter and purchasing votes has become too common! The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter! RKNagar elections were cancelled in Tamilnadu due to terrible corruption by the political parties! According to Winston Churchill, “ Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” The magnitude of the problem is that democracy cannot please every section of society!
But then what is real democracy? Abraham Lincoln has defined it as, “ Government of the people by the people for the people.” How far is it valid in the society of today? Democracy is being abused and misused in many countries including India! It can be now be defined as, “Government half the people buy the people for the people! Not even half the percentage of the electorate cast their vote! Most of them are illiterate and bribed by the candidates! They are more concerned about money. Crores of rupees are spent by candidates for electioneering and purchasing votes! It is a temptation that the voter can never overcome!The candidates vie with one another to extract maximum benefit within the five year period! Public money is siphoned off through devious ways! Assets of elected members increase phenomenally within these five years! Common man can never enter the fray because of high costs involved in contesting. Crorepatis and other rich people rush to become MLAs and MPs! The rich become richer while the poor grow poorer! The days of dedication and service mindedness witnessed in the period immediately after our Independence are no longer witnessed now! Pre Independent zeal and zest for the nation is significantly absent! There is a sense of complacency as India has achieved Independence! Stalwarts and statesmen who sacrificed their lives, power, and position to serve the nation have gone into history! We have no such ideal politicians at the helm who can guide the nation in the right direction.
Democracy works when people claim it as their own! They should realize that it is their nation or state or region and nothing should be done to jeopardize the rights and privileges of the Individual citizen! You are deceiving yourself when you cheat others or damage public property in agitations and demonstrations! The Government is yours and public property is also yours! It is your money that has raised buildings! You are accountable, thus, for the damage you cause. The Supreme Court has stated that parties whose members damage public property should compensate for the loss! The pity with the present generation is that they refuse to take action even as they see injustice and atrocities being committed in front of their eyes! One Traffic Ramaswamy is not enough! Many more alert and responsible citizens should come forward to question the Government when its policies are wrong. Educated, honest, and sincere persons should join the Government through elections to set right the lacuna! Most of the present legislators have a criminal background and ensure a place for themselves in the government! That should be stopped! More election reforms to weed them out should be introduced.
Equal opportunity should be given to every section of people in a democracy. In spite of its best efforts the Government has failed in this. Various groups and sections are clamoring for recognition and threatening the center with their protests and demonstrations. “Democracy means that anyone can grow up to be President, and anyone who doesn't grow up can be Vice President” says Johnny Carson! As the famous Greek Philosopher Aristotle says, “Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers”. Here, in India, the aam admi-the common man has absolutely no chance to contest the election and come to power! The reservation system has created more troubles and inequalities! More and more tribes and clans are demanding reservations and the Government is in a fix!
Democracy cannot be offered on a platter! One has to work for it assiduously. People have to prepare themselves and be eligible for its arrival by hard work. “ Democracy, like liberty, justice, and other social and political rights, is not “given”. It is earned through courage, resolution, and sacrifice” says the Myanmar freedom fighter Aungsan SanSuu Ky. Corruption has taken a very deep root in India and its politics! There is no area or field of activity that is not affected by corruption! It has spread its tentacles from the grass root level to the topmost position! Steps are being taken seriously only now. Black money has to be brought back from foreign havens where much of our money is stashed by tax evaders! Rules have to be implemented without fear or favor on their merits! Morals and ethics in life, government, and politics have become almost extinct! The number and the way in which murders, rapes, suicides, abductions, frauds, kidnappings and smuggling are taking place in our country is a cause for great concern! A nation is judged not by its geographical boundaries but by the conduct and character of its people! India, in spite of its advancement falls short of the expectations of a real good Democracy! She has to strive more to qualify herself for the coveted post of an ideal Democracy! There is no point in calling itself the largest Democracy in the world!!
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