India at 80: A democracy in search of renewal amidst challenges
As India enters its 80th year of Independence, the article reflects on the nation's journey, acknowledging its achievements but highlighting grave challenges to its democratic fabric. Authored by Senior Advocate Ashwani Kumar, it points to the erosion of fraternity, heightened communal discord, pervasive arrogance of power, and politicization of institutions. The judiciary's credibility is questioned due to media trials and delays, while Parliament's deliberative role is doubted. The electoral process needs reform to restore trust. The author emphasizes that substantive democracy goes beyond majoritarianism, requiring moral leadership, ethical politics, and a return to constitutional values to overcome these threats and ensure justice, freedom, and human dignity.
Key Points
- India's democracy at 80 faces significant challenges including erosion of fraternity and political polarization.
- The article highlights the decline in credibility of the judiciary and the diminished deliberative role of Parliament.
- Electoral processes require reform to restore public trust and reduce widespread doubts about credibility.
- The author stresses that substantive democracy must prioritize justice, freedom, and human dignity over majoritarian triumphalism.
- Renewal of democracy necessitates moral leadership, ethical politics, and a return to constitutional values.
Exam Facts
- Author: Ashwani Kumar, Senior Advocate, former Union Minister for Law and Justice.
- Mentions Supreme Court cases like Puttaswamy (2017), Romila Thapar (2018), Navtej Johar (2018), and the 'Bulldozer' justice case (2024).
- Refers to Hannah Arendt's "banality of evil" and Amartya Sen's idea of democracy.
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