India boasts itself as the largest democracy in the world.But the term ‘largest democracy’ does not necessarily connote or reveal the evils or demerits of our democracy.No doubt, being the second largest populous country in the world, India remains successfully democratic, but when we proceed to analyse, whether democracy in its true spirit, form and substance prevails in India,the answer must be certainly in the negative.
When we trace the roots of democracy historically,its evolution,gradual growth and transformation and its full-fledged growth occurred in Britain, gradually usurping the power of monarchy and in the end relegating it to a titular head.In India, especially in Tamil Nadu, some attempts had been made in the days of Cholas,to evolve a democratic system of election, at Uttiramerur, in the form of "Kudavolai System" to elect the peoples representatives,in which people of a particular area casting their votes,in a pot, through bamboo leaves (Hence Kudavolai system).But this early sign of democratic system was localised and did not spread or grow. But it is interesting to note that system was experimented within the territory of a monarchy.i.e the Chola Rule.
Subsequently, when India gradually became a British colony from the beginning of 17 th century onwards,world witnessed great revolutions like the American Revolution in the year 1776,the French Revolution in the year 1789 and the Russian Revolution in the year 1917 etc and of course those revolutions had its won impact and ramifications throughout the world, including India.By successfully launching its freedom struggle under the committed and self-less leaders like Gandhiji, India attained its independance in the year 1947 from the British and formed its own democratic Government, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as its first Prime Minister.The democratic process began in the year 1952, when India had its first general elctions.
Now the moot question that lies before us is whether democracy prevailing in the present day India is the same that prevailed in the Nehru Era.
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