3. What are the challenges to Indian
democracy? Explain
Answers
Answer:
1) Foundational Challenge: - The first challenge of Indian democracy is foundational challenge of making a transition to democracy and their instituting democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.
2) Challenge of Expansion: - The second challenge that most of the democracies face is the challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all the units of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge.
3) Deepening of Democracy:- The third challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. This should happen in such a way that people can realise their expectations of democracy. But ordinary people have different expectations from democracy in different societies. Therefore, this challenge takes different meanings and paths in different parts of the world. In general terms, it usually means strengthening those institutions that help people’s participation and control.
4. Poverty: Poverty is one of the most serious challenges faced by Indian democracy. Majority of the population in India lives below the poverty line. The Government has launched many poverty eradication programmes over the years to counter this challenge.
5. Economic inequality: The distribution of economic opportunities in India is grossly uneven and skewed in favour of the privileged.
6. Casteism: Caste-based discrimination is still existent in India although the Constitution prohibits it in all its forms. Also, casteism has penetrated the arena of electoral activity resulting in the politics of vote banks.
7. Illiteracy: A large part of the population of India is illiterate. Those people who are illiterate are often unaware of their rights and duties as citizens and hence cannot contribute much to the democratic process.
8. Communalism: Although communal politics resulted in the partition of India, many political parties still indulge in politics of polarization which leads to hate mongering.
Answer:
Voters are forced to vote for a particular candidate or party. Rigging also takes place during the elections. (iii) Corruption and inefficiency: In most of the democratic countries, political leaders and government officials are dishonest, corrupt, and inefficient.