Democracy and Political Maturity
While choosing a class leader everyone gets one vote, clever or not. The same principle holds in the nation’s democracy: one vote to every adult citizen.
The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950 and since then the government works as per its principles. Democracy is not merely choosing representatives; democratic principles becoming part of actual life is political maturity.
Key idea 1 : Right to vote — Before independence there were many restrictions on voting; all were cancelled and the Constitution gave equal adult suffrage to men and women above 21 years. Later the age was reduced from 21 to 18, so the young generation could take part in politics. India has the largest number of voters, so it is the largest democracy. Holding free and fair elections at regular intervals is a big sign of successful democracy; increasing participation of people and political competition also show it.
Key idea 2 : Decentralisation of power — Decentralisation of power is central to democracy; it controls misuse of power and gives the common person a chance to take part in politics. Directive Principles contain provision of democratic decentralisation, especially empowering local self-government. The 73rd and 74th amendments gave constitutional status to local self-governing institutions and increased their powers. Reserved seats for women and weaker sections, the State Election Commission and the 11th and 12th schedules are parts of it.
Key idea 3 : Young voters and parties — Lowering the voting age is a change not only in number but also in quality; with active support of young voters new political parties emerge and compete with various expectations. So voters do not only cast votes, they also decide the direction of politics.
- Easy : Can a 21-year-old vote? — Yes, and today an 18-year-old too.
- Medium : Who gave constitutional status to Gram Panchayat? — 73rd amendment.
- Exam-type : Why is India the largest democracy? — Due to most voters.
In the figure: Steps of suffrage and decentralisation.
The 61st Amendment lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 was passed by Parliament in December 1988 and came into force on 28 March 1989. (As per several sources; the book says only "later"; check with the book)
21-18-local.
Democracy is not only elections; participation, transparency and decentralisation are also needed.
Memory clue: Vote + participation + decentralisation = democracy. Memory clue: "Vote-Join-Local".
Spot the difference
| Point | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise | Restrictions before independence | Equal to all above 21 |
| Voting age | 21 years | 18 years |
| Local bodies | Limited powers | Constitutional status and more powers |
Practice questions
- 1When did the Constitution come into force?
- 2What is adult suffrage?
- 3What is the benefit of lowering the voting age?
- 4Why is decentralisation important?
- 5What did the 73rd and 74th amendments do?
- 6Why are seats reserved for women?
- 7Why is India considered the largest democracy?
- 8Write activities to increase students’ participation in your school.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1On 26 January 1950.
- 2Right to vote to all above 18 regardless of caste, religion, gender.
- 3Youth take part in politics and new parties emerge.
- 4Misuse of power stops and people get chance to participate.
- 5Gave local bodies constitutional status and more powers.
- 6To increase participation in politics.
- 7Because of the largest number of voters.
- 8Student council, class leader election, suggestion box etc.
Right to Information and Rights-based Approach
To ask where the school fund was spent one must know rules. A citizen’s right to ask questions about government work is the right to information.
Right to Information (RTI) is a citizen’s right to ask for information on government work; it makes government more transparent. Treating citizens not as beneficiaries but as holders of rights is the rights-based approach.
Key idea 1 : Right to Information 2005 — Citizen empowerment is an essential condition of democracy. If communication between government and citizens increases, a relationship of trust is created. Citizens have a right to know the functioning of government; so the Government of India gave the Right to Information. Transparency and accountability are marks of good governance; RTI reduced secrecy in government work.
Key idea 2 : Rights-based approach — In decades after independence democratisation increased, but citizens were considered only as beneficiaries. In the last few decades development is considered a right of citizens. After 2000 the approach to democratic reforms changed and they are considered rights of citizens; so rights to information, education and food security were obtained. These rights strengthened democracy.
Key idea 3 : Good governance — Democracy needs good governance. Its features: accountable and responsible government, effective and efficient government, government responsive to people’s needs, transparency in working, just and all-inclusive development and people’s participation in decision-making.
- Easy : Asking how much Gram Panchayat spent on a road — which right? — Right to information.
- Medium : Treating food security as a right — which approach? — Rights-based.
- Exam-type : Government work being open — which feature? — Transparency.
In the figure: RTI strengthens democracy.
Parliament passed the Right to Information Act on 15 June 2005 and it came fully into force on 12 October 2005. (As per several government sources; the book has only "RTI 2005"; check with the book)
Ask-Inform-Transparent-Trust.
RTI is not a tool only to criticise government; it gives citizens information and accountability.
Memory clue: Information = power. Memory clue: "Ask, know, improve".
Spot the difference
| Approach | How citizens are seen | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary | Receivers of what government gives | Old approach |
| Rights-based | Citizens with rights | Information, education, food |
| Transparency | Open and checkable work | RTI application |
Practice questions
- 1What is the right to information?
- 2State the importance of RTI in democracy.
- 3What is the rights-based approach?
- 4Which rights did citizens get after 2000?
- 5Write features of good governance.
- 6State the difference between transparency and accountability.
- 7What effect on democracy if everyone gets a right to shelter?
- 8Frame one village question for use of RTI.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Citizen’s right to ask information on government work.
- 2Transparency, trust and participation grow.
- 3Treating citizens as right-holders, not just beneficiaries.
- 4Information, education and food security.
- 5Accountability, efficiency, responsiveness, transparency, inclusive development, participation.
- 6Transparency = open work; accountability = duty to answer.
- 7Government responsibility will increase and citizens become more empowered.
- 8Student writes own example.
Social Justice and Equality
Even if all are placed on the same line in a race, one without legs falls behind. So giving special opportunity to those left behind is the work of justice.
Social justice means removing social conditions that cause injustice and insisting on equality of dignity for all. Its aim is ending high-low discrimination on caste, religion, language, gender, birthplace, race, property and giving every person equal opportunity for development.
Key idea 1 : Policy of reservation — The policy of reservation is for sections who were deprived of opportunities in education and employment for a long time. In educational institutions and government services some seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes; there is a provision for other backward classes too. The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is important for social justice; it prevents injustice against these sections and makes atrocity a punishable offence.
Key idea 2 : Provisions for minorities — The Constitution has made many provisions to protect minorities and the government implemented policies giving opportunities of education and employment. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, race, language and region. So minorities’ rights to equality, freedom, against exploitation and cultural and educational rights stay protected.
Key idea 3 : Women: laws and representation — Equal share in father’s and husband’s property, Dowry Prohibition Act, act against sexual harassment, Domestic Violence Prevention Act are important; a National Commission for Women and commissions in states too. The act against domestic violence protects dignity and self-esteem of women and makes democracy inclusive in a true sense. Women’s representation in politics has been inadequate from the beginning; the 73rd and 74th amendments reserved 33% seats in local self-governing institutions; 50% in many states including Maharashtra.
- Easy : Women MPs 22 in 1951-52 and 66 in 2014 — what is seen? — Representation is rising but still low.
- Medium : Dowry Prohibition Act is for which section? — Women.
- Exam-type : Prevention of Atrocities Act for whom? — Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
In the figure: Four paths of social justice.
What happened before the Indra Sawhney verdict? The Mandal Commission gave its report in 1980, but it lay unused for ten years. On 7 August 1990 Prime Minister V. P. Singh announced 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central government jobs, which led to protests and court cases.
What happened after the Indra Sawhney verdict? On 16 November 1992 the Supreme Court upheld the 27 per cent OBC reservation. It also ruled that total reservation should not normally exceed 50 per cent and that the ‘creamy layer’ must be excluded.
Res-Atro-Mino-Women.
Reservation is not charity; it is an effort for equality for those long deprived of opportunities.
Memory clue: Equality = equal dignity + equal opportunity. Memory clue: "A fair starting line for all".
Spot the difference
| Group | Provision | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| SC and ST | Reservation, Atrocities Act | Opportunity and protection |
| Minorities | No discrimination, cultural-educational rights | Equality and protection |
| Women | Property right, dowry ban, commission, reserved seats | Dignity and participation |
Practice questions
- 1What is social justice?
- 2Why is there a policy of reservation?
- 3Write importance of the Prevention of Atrocities Act.
- 4State constitutional provisions for minorities.
- 5Write four laws or provisions for women.
- 6What was done to increase women’s representation?
- 7Write conclusion from the table of women MPs in Lok Sabha.
- 8Write what we can do as a society to prevent atrocities.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Removing unjust conditions and giving all equal dignity and opportunity.
- 2To give long-deprived groups opportunities in education and jobs.
- 3Atrocity is checked and made punishable.
- 4No discrimination, equality, freedom, against exploitation, cultural-educational rights.
- 5Equal property share, dowry ban, against sexual harassment, domestic violence prevention.
- 633% (50% in some states) seats in local bodies and commissions.
- 7Representation is rising but still below 15%.
- 8Awareness, opposing discrimination, knowing laws and reporting.
Role of the Judiciary
In a game the umpire decides how rules apply and stops anyone breaking them. In the country the judiciary does this job of interpreting the Constitution.
While interpreting the Constitution the judiciary keeps in mind its fundamental objectives and the intention of its makers and plays an important role for democracy and social justice and equality.
Key idea 1 : Basic structure of the Constitution — The Constitution is dynamic, a living document; Parliament has power to change it as per changing conditions. The judiciary accepted this power but also set limits: Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution. The basic structure generally includes: republican and democratic form of government, federal structure, unity and integrity of the nation, sovereignty, secularism and supremacy of the Constitution.
Key idea 2 : Significant judicial decisions — The protection given by fundamental rights became more meaningful through judgments of courts. The court gave important judgments on children’s rights, protection of human rights, honour and dignity of women, individual freedom and tribal empowerment. This made the political process in India more mature.
Key idea 3 : The democratic mind-set — Government laws and policies have not ended all problems and there are new problems too; but it is important that a democratic mind-set has developed among Indian people. Students should find judgments given recently by the Supreme Court on subjects of good governance and discuss them.
- Easy : Can Parliament change the Constitution? — Yes, but not the basic structure.
- Medium : Name one element of basic structure. — Secularism.
- Exam-type : Subject of a court judgment? — Children’s rights.
In the figure: Some elements of the basic structure.
Basic structure doctrine: in the Kesavananda Bharati case on 24 April 1973 a 13-judge bench of the Supreme Court held by 7:6 majority that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot alter its basic structure. The book does not name the case. (As per several sources; check with the book)
Demo-Fed-Unity-Secular.
It is not that Parliament cannot change the Constitution at all; it has power, only the basic structure cannot be changed.
Memory clue: Amend yes, frame no. Memory clue: "Decorate the house, do not shake the foundation".
Spot the difference
| Point | Parliament | Judiciary |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional change | Can amend | Sets limits |
| Basic structure | Cannot alter | Protects |
| Rights | Makes laws | Makes meaningful by judgments |
Practice questions
- 1Why is the Constitution called a ‘living document’?
- 2What is the basic structure?
- 3Write three elements of the basic structure.
- 4On which subjects did the court give important judgments?
- 5How did the judiciary strengthen democracy?
- 6Why is a limit on Parliament’s power necessary?
- 7What is a democratic mind-set?
- 8Find and write about one recent Supreme Court judgment.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Because it can be changed as per changing conditions.
- 2Fundamental elements of the Constitution that Parliament cannot change.
- 3Democratic-republic, federal structure, secularism.
- 4Children’s rights, human rights, women’s dignity, individual freedom, tribal empowerment.
- 5Made protection of rights meaningful and interpreted as per objectives of the Constitution.
- 6Unlimited power may endanger the basic nature of the Constitution.
- 7People’s way of thinking that accepts democratic values.
- 8Student writes judgment, year and subject.