Though Indian democracy is one of the largest democracies in the world, it should be effective as well as impactful. Here, I’m going to assess the Indian politics after independence.
Power without responsibility is the death recipe for the democracy. Isn’t it? Simply, men in power should be in the men in checks and balances; otherwise, everyone would be in the anarchy and chaos.
This is the reason why we value power with responsibility in the modern day politics for just rule. However, there is no dearth of incidents of misuse of power even in the age of so called liberal democracies.
Understanding relations between power and responsibility
First of all, before to proceed to know the Indian politics after independence, let’s understand the true meaning of power.
Explanation of concept clarity of “Power”
Though power is a political term, but it is a symbol of strength and might in the eyes of people.As a definition, power is a type of thing used to influence the will of others. So, it may be anything, including money, post, knowledge etc. Here, I am going to use in the context of democracy – democratic powe
Meaning and definition of authority
When the power is sourced by the constitution of land of origin, then it becomes legitimate. Such legitimate power is called authority. Compare to authority, power is more common term.
Importance of constitution
The supremacy of constitution means, the decisions taken by representatives should not be inconsistent to the constitution. Otherwise, the interests of minorities might be compromised.
Moreover, the chances of corruption and nepotism can not be ruled out in the absence of such measure. Nowadays, most of the notable democracies have theirs own supreme constitutions.“In short, constitution effectively ensures that the power of people shouldn’t be the power of majority”.
Types of power in democracy
In democracy, there is no single source of power.
- Citizens have voting power
- Politicians have legislating and implementing power
- Media have power to reveal reality
Then, why do we only discuss about the power of politicians and not real source — citizens of the nations. This is the reason Why there is so inconsistencies between power and responsibility.
Role of responsibility in modern politics
Not only does it play the role to limit the misuses of power by greed autocratic elements; but it also act as a facilitator to use for common good. So, the elements of checks and balances should not be encroached by the people in power at any cost. Today, people are more concerned about the power instead of elements protecting responsibility.
Sources of checks and balances
- Constitution,
- elections,
- independent judiciary, and
- freedom of press are highly essential elements for the proper functioning of democratic regime.
Constitution provides both power and protection for ruled minorities and rulers in case of any threat. On the other hand, in the time of elections, people have all the power to elect responsible government to serve in return.
Also, Independent judiciary act as a protective wall among the power, people and institutions. Most importantly, it is the guardian as well as highest interpreter of the constitution of the nation.
Furthermore, free press works all the time to act as a interface between government and public to understand actions and problems of ruled and ruler.
Assessment of Indian politics after independence
In the last seven decades, development was never been a main issue of any general elections so far. Why this is the case regarding country having huge developmental backlog?
Unfortunately, in India, leading political parties, instead to focus on developmental activities, are busy in mud-slinging for past mistakes to woo the voters.
Politics of freedom struggle movement
It is well known that Indian National Congress was instrumental to liberate India from the clutches of subjugation. Therefore, it was the movement of India people, and not the mere political party to contest elections.
However, even after the Mahatma Gandhi’s moral objection, the grand old party became the powerful political weapon to capture power due to its credibility.
Furthermore, not only did they use Indian national congress as a political weapon; but, they also attributed their legacy to the great leadership of Mahatma Gandhi for votes.
Tug of war between communalism and secularism
India saw the worst form of riots at the time of partition. For this, communal forces of both religions were largely blamed. Later, the same party, with the help of secular instrument, targeted opponents for more than five decades. In reality, they systematically, enriched the term “communal politics” to keep opponents at bay and divert the focus from development.
Dynastic politics and communal card
After 1980s onwards, once the movement of nation, INC, finally, became the capital of single family.
For this, both dynastic politics and incapable opportunistic politicians deserve to be blamed.
If they had occasionally permitted the mobility in the higher rank, the nature and fate of the grand old party would have been quite different and so the politics of India.
In the initial phase, Sardar vallabhbhai Patel opened the gate of opportunities for even the right wing politicians in the Congress to make it more inclusive force but the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi forced to rethink.
Nehru-Gandhi family politics
We know that it was the Indira Gandhi who strengthened the dynastic politics targeting both opponents, as well as party leaders.
Even today, despite the successive humiliating defeats in the general elections, the Gandhi family is not going to hand over the reign of party leadership to the non Gandhi person.
Indeed, it is a great tragedy of such a great grand old party which should have been dissolved at the time of independence. Had it happened, the fate of Indian politics would have been definitely different.
Emergence of communal forces in power in Indian politics after independence
In Indian politics, hardly two and half decade old party successfully captured political power more than three times with two times absolute majority. Responsible factors are:–
- Dynastic politics
- Weak leadership
- Rampant corruption
- Declining grassroots’ linkages
- Rise of regional powers
These are some of the responsible reasons which helped BJP to clinch power by defeating powerful organisation.
Rise of BJP on the failure of Congress party
Obviously, success of BJP is often ascribed to the failure of Congress rather than the achievements of party. That’s why they frequently blames Congress for everything to woo voters.
And, really, it is logical and convincing that when a party which was in power for more than five decades, deserves to receive criticism rather than appreciation. Unfortunately, it is an another tragedy of people of India who voted both for theirs development but none has yielded expected results for them.
Whom to blame for country’s backwardness
So far, Indian politics after independence was largely dominated by one party that ruled more than five decades by targeting colonial powers and communal forces.
Whereas, other is in power just blaming for earlier for the country’s backwardness and dynastic politics without effectively focusing developmental endeavour.
On the other hand, voter of the nation have been eagerly waiting the fruit of development ever since the independence. Truly, Indian politics after independence failed to deliver due.
Political scholars often argue that the voters of India can be easily convinced by the emotional appeals and various occasions it has been proved correct. But, now the time has changed and people have little patience to wait.
Economic growth and development
Freedom of speech and expression