Tendency of elected leaders to shy away from political challenges can undermine democracy
The growing public support for Anna Hazare-style protests, led by unelected campaigners, bode ill for Indian democracy, distinguished academic and Labour Peer Bhikhu Parekh warned while delivering the 2011 Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture here on Monday.
The Indian democracy, he said, was in danger of losing legitimacy if elected politicians failed to meet public expectations and people, in frustration, started mobilizing around “leaders” who had no democratic mandate but could have plenty of self-serving agendas.
Lord Parekh pointed out how during the Hazare campaign elected politicians virtually took flight leaving the field open for unelected activists. The tendency of elected leaders to shy away from political challenges could “undermine” democracy as it paved the way for often divisive forces, acting in the name of the people, to step into the “political vacuum.”
Lord Parekh, speaking on “The Crisis in Indian Democracy” in front of a select gathering of academics among whom were a number of avowed Nehruvians, called for “revitalising” India's democratic structures.
Identifying the causes of the crisis, he said many of India's representative institutions, including Parliament, no longer commanded people's trust. Members of Parliament voted in with the help of money and muscle power, were completely out of touch with the people they claimed to represent.
“Elected yes, but they don't represent anyone or anything,” he said.
Quality of democracy
India took pride in being the world's largest democracy but what about the quality of Indian democracy? he asked, pointing to widespread corruption, lack of accountability, disregard for democratic institutions, a media in hock to “corporate consensus” and the growing disparities between the rich and the poor despite impressive economic growth in recent years.
By all accounts, Indian democracy was under enormous pressure and this had led to the emergence of forms of public protests that were often undemocratic and amounted to “political blackmail.”
Lord Parekh said Indian democracy had been a profoundly transforming experience for millions of Indians but, sadly, it appeared to be running out of steam, ironically at a time when other countries were waking up to democracy. But there was still enough meat in the old beast to revitalise itself.
Previous speakers in the lecture series include Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gopal Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal.
It is organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust, set up by Lord Mountbatten in 1964, and works with Trinity College, Nehru's alma mater, and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust to offer the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust Cambridge Scholarship to Indian scholars.
The Labour Peer Bhikhu Parekh has rightly pointed out that many of India's representative institutions, including Parliament, no longer command people's trust. This is simply because these institutions and representatives have been hyjacked by vested interests of feudals/landlords/money lenders migrated into our political scene. Not for nothing that the fruits of liberalization has thus far resisted to percolate to the masses. Dr. MMS you may a good economist, surely not a good PM.
Lord Parekh has made a true assessment of the status of Indian democracy. In unambiguous words, he has explained the loss of quality of the 'world's largest democracy' at the hands of its elected leaders. He criticised the way they were elected and how they failed to meet public expectations and shied away from political challenges, thereby turning out completely alienated from the people they claim to represent. Parekh was compelled to comment that these so-called elected representatives "don't represent anyone or anything". Though he spoke ill of certain aspects of Hazare-style protests, he recognised the enormous pressure under which such forms of public protests emerged. Moreover, it should be noted that, while he still foresees chances of revitalising the Indian democratic system, he has not suggested any alternatives to Hazare-type campaign, in spite of its undemocratic nature which sometimes even amounted to 'political blackmail'. The picture is clear though The Hindu placed greater thrust on the 'danger' of Hazare-style protests.
Parekh may be a lord of the British realm.But it appears that he has lost touch with his native land and reality.Else he would not have commented so disparagingly about a great Indian like Anna Hazare.Anna may be diminutive of physical stature but stands much taller than this so called lord who dares to call him a "leader who had no democratic mandate but could have self serving agendas".That was a very cheap shot unbecoming a British peer.A person who chose to desert his homeland is least qualified to indulge in vituperation of Selfless Man who has made it his life's duty to work for the common man and fight for his rights and fight against the worst menace of corruption which has been a bane of the Indian Society.
A very true statement by Lord Parekh. When the elected representatives do not know their responsibilities people like Team Anna with self serving agenda will hijack the country from Democracy to street revolution like the ones we are witnessing in the West Asia or the Middle East. Indian democracy has almost become dysfunctional because of corruption, irresponsibility, greed for accumulation wealth and a thirst for never ending power amongst the political class. This has paved way for some people to use this opportunity to create a mass hysteria among the people and gain power through back door. If Team Anna wants to reform or control the country let them get into electoral politics. Instead they are jeopardizing the democracy by using blackmailing tactics on the Government and rest of the political class. We need functional democracy and not mass protests on the streets. To this end, political class need to become responsible an corrupt free
While I agree with Lord Parekh's basic assertion that vigilantism and suddenly-born social campaigners undermines the authority of the Govt, thus leaving the field open for any quack to try to treat the malaise in India, I would ask him - doesn't India need an exercise of violent cleansing? For we the people of India, long faced with our political circus, have grown accustomed to and molded our practices to fit in with such practice. One of the reasons India is viewed as a domestic tiger to be trained as per needed is that we do not assert our strength. That doesn't occur because politically we stagger and stumble, and that, as expected, spreads to every aspect of our lives.A violent flood was required to clean out the Augean Stables. We need the same.However I must point out that I can appreciate what Lord Parekh fears. For example our favorite anti-graft crusader wants drunkards flogged publicly. From the support he commands, his Taliban side might become Indian public policy now.
The Labour Peer Bhikhu Parekh has rightly pointed out that many of India's representative institutions, including Parliament, no longer command people's trust. So true of MPs voted with the help of money and muscle power. A very pertinent question has been raised by the Labour Peer about our pride of being the world's largest democracy but what about the quality of our democracy. Truely the old beast needs to be revitalised. His delivery in the 2011 Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture was indeed excellent. His was a wake-up call for Indian Democarcy.
The Indian democracy is weakened.But all the politicians are not the only responsibles;every citizen of the countryis also equally responsible because it is our democracy .So with the outbreak movements like Anna Hazare ,general public is contributing for the improvements in the Indian democracy and warning to eradicate major problems like cuuruption with a majority.Mr.Parekh is correct in theory,but practically these movements are necessary.
Most of the elected MPs are either political DALALs or poster boy/girls. They only know how to manage vote bank. That is all. They do not have potential or courage to talk to a common man directly. People are frustrated. This why they followed Anna Hazare. If you say India is under democracy, then it is for writing only. We want a system where problems of the public matters. Certainly puppets like Rahul, Manmohan and Ahluwalia are just deteriorating the system.
But for the likes of Swamy, no scams would have seen the light. Anna Hazare surely has stirred the conscience of the nation that the decay which has set in must be arrested, and a new path of good governance established soon. Alas, the Indian democracy has become of the people, by the people and not, for the people but for the elected representatives only. However, the people of India will weather this crisis, with the help of established solid pillars of democracy. Media's role has become prominent now.
I agree and very much appreciate the wake up call given by Lord Parekh.Money and muscle power can give a seat in Parliament but not in the heart of public.It is why our leaders shift their constituencies from where they win and ask for "Z "protection to keep away from the masses whom they have to answer.A large number of our so called elected leaders in both the houses hardly attend the full proceedings,never speak or contribute their wisdom to any subject.Most of the time "shouting competition" starts and house is adjourned.Some times to our surprise our leaders pass a number of bills within few minutes in absence of opposition when opposition parties Walk Out.We the largest democracy can feel proud provided our leaders come close to public and work for them in real sense to avoid non political forces to have any chance to black mail them.
ok i agree that this might be dangerous for democracy but is there solution to curb corruption. one corrupt politician dies and another borns . One kaamchor employee retires another takes charge . govt must do something to end all this. otherwise we will still live in stone age and there democracy will not survive either. democracy will end either way . its an alarming situation for mr prime minister to do something .
The views expressed by Lord Parekh are certainly appear to be a person who lives in ivory towers and is away from the ground realities. How the elections are won and representations are exacted in this country is an open secret. I abhor such sort of democrats who do not have inkling about the natural democratic system.
I as an Indian citizen by birth also agree to what Lord Parekh has stated. There are number of scams and no one feels guilty or ashamed of what is going on because people involved in the scams are the people in power and they are the law makers and law breakers. The middle class and the down trodden are the suffers with rising prices with no money or very little money left for savings at the end of the day all the time living with fear of future crisis.
The essence of representative form of democracy lies in interest articulation and building opinion on matters of public interest. Traditionally this role has been taken by political parties but if due to whatever reasons political parties fail to fulfill this role, there will be some other agency or group or individual who fills that vacuum. This is what happened in hazare's case too. People's resentment against price rise, black money and plethora of corruption cases combined into a direct or indirect support for a group which raised this issue at national level. Democracy does not give right only to the political parties, every individual or forum speaking for people counts too.
It is frustrating that Indian people look at their goverment as an authority (just like maharajas) which could solve all their problems without any commitment from their part, the people simply doesn't want to be disturbed from their mundane life. If we don't realize the importance of collective responsibliy and collective thinking, democracy will remain a farce and we will be exploited.
Mr. Lord Parekh is Absuletely true in his statement and analysis. Political representatives are more concern to create vote bank not to address the concerns of the people. In their view, the country is growing but in reality, people's sufferings are becoming more and more grievous day by day for which not only they are desperate but are losing faith in the system. That is the reason, why they hope Anna Hazare type movements might bring respite to their predicaments and should be also.
It is so sad to note the observation that people think that the members of parliament do not represent people. Truth of course hurts.
Lord Parekh, in his lecture, has given food forthought to the politicians, parliamentarians, social activists and the intelligentsia in India. India, inspite of the change in leadership at New Delhi, clings on to democratic ideals and that is a tribute to the people of India. The most populous democracy in the world, has the problems of poverty, huge population , Illiteracy, the rich poor divide, and state to state problems in hand. In spite of this, the People of India have shown sanity at every stage and eminent speakers in India and abroad, should highlight this aspect to the world. Lord Parekh has referred to the challenges on hand, but the fact remains, that India will definitely move forward because as A nation we uphold strong values in our onward march.
AIRLINGTON,USA.
Mr. Lord Parekh, Protest, Led by Anna Hazare, was truly supported by public. In our home country a middle level person cannot get a justice against a criminal. 95% of the politicians are corrupt. We need a change in our system. Your statement is absolutely right theoretically. What about our grass root problems? How they are going to be resolved in this democracy.
This is not only an inditement of Indian Parliament but also PM Manmohan Singh. I've argued here that Lokpal or Ombudsman Office will suddenly stop all corruption. It won't. And, as a result, there is good chance Anna will go further in agitation to recall MPs and whatnots. With more than 1B citizens in a diverse emerging society it's incumbent on elected officials to find ways and means to correct the current direction of corruption and governance - which is leading to a cul de sac.
Please Email the Editor