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Challenges
to Democracy:
2nd lecture in the series on Sept.28, 2007
By Dr. K.N. Panikkar
Historian,
Author, University Professor, Former Vice Chancellor;
Chairman
Jananeethi Institute &
Vice
Chairman, State Commission for Higher Education
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"The
cultural dilemma of middle class bourgeoisie naturally found its
solace in communalism. Therefore the probability of communal flare
up in Kerala society is critically high. This could be most
threatening to the future of democracy in the state as well."
- Dr. K.N. Panikkar |
The
Challenges to Democracy lectures being organized by Jananeethi
Institute are profoundly laudable and timely since India has
completed 60 years of its political independence. This is an attempt
by Jananeethi Family to strengthen the public arena. The strength of
democracy very much depends on how alert is the public forum. When
the public space becomes weak it would reflect on the democratic
institutions of the country. Hence any number of interventions to
strengthen the public forum will be helpful in maintaining the
democratic fabric of the society.
I
am reminded of two significant publications (i) India after Gandhi
and (ii) The Clash Within – that speak the achievement of India in
the last sixty years is its political achievement. It is pertinent
to critically examine what has happened to Indian democracy during
this time. Look at the conspicuous silence maintained by India
towards the current developments in Burma. It’s a shame that we
are not able to deliver to our neighbour what we received from our
neigboours while we were in trouble with our democratic destiny.
‘The
Clash Within’ deals with the organic development of religious
communalism in this country. The author, however, feels that it is
nothing to be worried of as the communal forces met with defeat in
the political elections. I do not think so. The power of communalism
has its roots in socio-cultural spheres. It can not adequately be
judged by a defeat in elections. A brutal majority of Indian
bourgeoisie was steadily shifting to religious communalism during
the last sixty years. It was the caste system in this country that
flouted the communal forces during the period.
The
social perspective of Indian polity was changed into community
perspective by the British regime.
The
change into identity politics during this time could be the most
disastrous blow on Indian democracy. Enemy was created both in
Hindus and Muslims. History was distorted.
Culture was sometimes accommodated while on the next moment
it was dismissed. The theory of exclusion was applied in the case of
events that shaped history.
The
cultural dilemma of middle class bourgeoisie naturally found its
solace in communalism. Therefore the probability of communal flare
up in Kerala society is critically high. This could be most
threatening to the future of democracy in the state as well.
Apparently,
the poor and socially agitated sections of society do take active
role in any riot or communal clash. This phenomenon is another
weakness of our democracy. Indian democracy still remains only
political in nature; it has never been economic democracy. Mumbai,
our modern metropolis, has over 60% of its people living in slums
without even the primary human needs like toilets, drinking water,
sanitation etc
What
is most detrimental to democracy and democratic institutions in a
state/country is its government that is compatible to any
undemocratic and inhuman devolution and that makes compromises to
any extent for the sake of remaining in power for extended years.
Today we have intellectuals, but not a community of intellectuals.
The only remedy is to strengthen public forums. Looking back to
history, the period under emergency was the most painful and
shameful attack on Indian democracy. It was because of our unfailing
democratic process, we survived political emergency, despite many
pits and falls. |
