Understanding the Basics of Democracy

 

Democracy in the modern world is a much talked about and debatable issue. It is evinced all around the globe. Though in countries under Western World, democracy might be a much talked about and debatable issue. But as the governance and citizens of those nations are of understanding and accommodative type. Hence democracy in those nations are well accommodated to basic needs of humanity. To be more specific there should not be any discriminatory mental makeup in this universe. In order to understand the basics of democracy, one must understand the precepts of UNO’s SDG goals in and around the globe. This implies that people of all walks of life should be accorded the basic amenities of life. So what are the basic amenities of life in our mind? As per the dictum of basic amenities goes by. We must emphasise upon the following amenities of our life, especially to poor and downtrodden sections of our societies. These are as such, water, sanitation, electricity, drainage along with sewerage systems, proper school building and toiletries. In the countries of Western countries concerned, basic amenities of life are equally allocated among people of all sections of societies. While coming to the South Asian Sub-Continent, South East Asian Sub-Continent and also East Asian Sub-Continent. I sincerely think about focusing upon two closer and cordial nations under South Asian Sub-Continent, India and Bangladesh. The reason behind is quite logical. As because I am always focused upon the above nations. It is both nations who are on the verge of staging their parliamentary elections. Hence the question of understanding the basics of democracy is being accorded top priority for both nations.

As we are already aware of that both India and Bangladesh are on the verge of staging their parliamentary elections. In order to judge the basics of democracy, I feel that my views might turn out to be a debatable and to some extent controversial issues. Anyhow in the midst of these dreary situations, I feel that the time has rightly arrived at to get an indepth feel about the basic tenets of democratic setup in modern life.

Among all the basic tenets of modern democratic setup some of the common ones are stated as such, respect for humanity in the above nations, human rights should always be upheld in the above nations, each and every citizen of the globe accorded proper human rights, holding free and fair elections in diverse electoral processes, social upliftment of humanity should be properly highlighted and finally literacy rates to be upgraded to golden heights.

All the above basic tenets of democratic setup are equally applicable to India and Bangladesh. The way the democratic setup are being carried upon in both nations. It speaks broadly about sorrowful and derogatory culture. In this regard I appeal to my revered online readers of my columns of both nations not to comprehend my columns in its pejorative frame of mind. I state my above views, as the self being an ardent well-wisher of both nations. I sincerely cherish progress and prosperity of both nations. If the democratic setup is not organised properly then how can we expect macro developments of both.

In the parliamentary proceedings of India and Bangladesh. We find that ruling political forces along with opposition forces must take active part in democratic process and governance. I am really surprised at one point that why ruling political forces does not sit across the table with opposition forces in both nations. This way proper development does not take place at all. This incites emotional clash between different political parties.

If I highlight some glaring instances about how to ensure proper governance in today’s scenario. It was during the tenure of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as first Prime Minister of this biggest democracy of the globe. He used to listen meticulously to the views of opposition leaders. Pandit Nehru was highly reverential to the views of Professor Hirendranath Mukherjee, the well-known academician of those days. It is already known to us that Professor Mukherjee was a prolific orator and academician of those days. His views were so profound and penetrative which echoed deep thoughts upon ruling forces, opposition forces as well as upon ruling ones. In the same manner, noted economist, scholar and academician of repute Dr Ashok Mitra made an indelible impact upon the ruling forces, opposition forces and the Indian public as a whole. After that Dr Sugata Bose, historian and scholar at par, made an indelible impact upon the above stated political forces in the same manner. His profound views were well appreciated by the then Lok Sabha speaker Mrs Sumitra Mahajan.

Now there is no proper and organised opposition forces in the parliament in both nations. That is why the parliamentary proceedings in both India and Bangladesh. In India, there is no proper press bit given to the Press. If the pressmen ask any complicated questions then both seems to express utter disgruntlement to them. This is not at all appreciable. However in comparison to India, in Bangladesh, pressmen are so tough that they are able to extract answers from ruling and opposition forces tactfully. Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed herself possess cordial and friendly ties up with press persons.

To understand the basics of democracy in India and Bangladesh. The governance in both nations should be instituted in such a manner which may act as the cakewalk towards progress and prosperity in both nations. In this regard, we must understand that what we speak and its proper interpretation signifies a glaring contrast. Our politicians have to more open mouthed to the citizens. Plus in front of the Medias, representative of the people should be more open hearted. In comparison between the two nations, one point becomes crystal clear at our end the more representative of the people becomes openhearted to the citizens and Medias, then the matter becomes more crystal clear to the common Indian citizens. Contrarily we find that in Bangladesh, when the politicians become so hard-pressed to the Medias and the citizens, then they open out to the people in a more pleasant and cordial manner. In this regard, I apologise to my revered online Indian readers not to take up my views in its pejorative manner.

Before I wind up my basics of democracy. I feel that we must understand the basic needs of humanity in both nations like other nations of the globe. Otherwise credibility of good and methodical governance will be covered under the debris. What is best required at present is representative of the people should be more accountable to the needs of the people instead of being self-centred. Basic amenities of the citizens should be looked after properly. Otherwise entire procedures will dwindle completely.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.