What are the factors affecting democracy in India?
India is democratic republic consisting 28 states and seven center-controlled union territories with New Delhi as the nation’s capital. India is 7th largest and second most populas country and making it world’s largest democratic country.
From last 62 years Indian democracy is working successfully. But it is found that following factors are affecting the Indian democracy:
1. Religion
It plays important role in politics. Political party support greatly upon religon. Many political parties are identified by the religion of their supporters. Many national religious issues are the key points of the success in elections.
2. Caste
Many political parties draw supporters from specific caste or sub- castes.
3. Population
India is the most populas country of the world after china. The one billion-plus population has challenged the country‟s ability to provide jobs, health, education, Slowing population growth has been a major issue for the government.
4. Regions
India is very denesly populated. It has 28 states with different cultures.
5. Negligence of Elected Members
The representative form of democracy has succeeded in driving the nation for the last 60 years. But practical side cannot be acknowledged completely. Some of the elected representatives are enjoying all privileges and takes his duties for granted.
6. Elitism of Families
Teading politicians are introducing their sons and daughters in politics and power. Our democracy became rich people‟s democracy.
7. Political Parties
Politics has become a game of oppostunism and corruption. Most Political parties are only interested to coming to power. Every political party adopts different caste politics. Some try to raise the religious sentiments of the people. The key players in Indian political hre today are regional parties, who represents sectional, ethnic, caste linguistic interests.
8. Awarness about Rights
Real democracy will come into being only when the masses are awakened and take part in the economic and political life of the country, otherwise rights have no meaning in practice.
9. Illiteracy
For democracy electorate sould be literate and politically conscious.
10. Poverty
One forth of the population today goes to bed with empty. Stomach, live below the poverty line. They are still struggling for existence.
11. Legistators
Some of our legistaters have criminal records against them. The people who make the laws themselves break them. Actually politicians should respect the true spirit of democracy.
12. Economic Issue
Economic Issue like poverty, unemployment, development are main issues that influence politics of India. India is still an emerging country, making the pace and shape of development a major concern.
13. Law and Order
Terrorism, Naxalism, religious violence, caste-related violence are important issues that affect the political environment of the Indian nation.
14. Votebank Politics
The lack of homogeneity in the Indian population causes division between different sections of the people based on religion region etc. This has led to the rise of political parties with agendas of these groups.
Vote bank politics of most parties sidelines national issues such as economic welfare and national security.
15. Need of India
More importance should be given to the local level of grassroots problems very few people are concerned with the political controversies e.g. the debale over whether a temple or mosque should be built at the disputed site in Ayodhya. What matters to people is whether their villege has a clean-drinking water, is there a bus line, primary health care facilities. They expect their elected politicians to deliever on these sort of things.