- The democratic form of government is not perfect at all by any stretch of the imagination is stating the obvious. However, there is no denying the fact that of all the forms of governance viz. autocratic, authoritarian, monarchy, theocratic, dictatorship, oligarchy, anarchy, and totalitarian, the parliamentary democracy confers wide-ranging freedom as enunciated in the Constitutionally mandated fundamental rights. Since gaining independence from the British, the Republic of India has successfully adopted democracy deriving every ounce of freedom from the Constitution which is considered sacrosanct and abiding in guiding the country’s march ahead.
PC: Krishnendra Joshi
- Experience so far in the country has been admirable and noteworthy, widely recognized around the world for conferring liberty within the defined parameters of the Constitution to citizens to lead a dignified life without ever worrying about losing the hard-earned independence. How often have we heard about by the people, of the people, and for the people resonating in the corridors of power signifying the importance of people’s role in running the fortunes of the country? Yes, it is us the people who elect our representatives with a mandate to govern ensuring we are well looked after and allowing us to grow organically alongside the nation.
- The federal model of the political organization followed in the country unites separate states or other polities within an overarching political system in a way allowing each to maintain its integrity. This is a well-established system where the central government and various state governments carry out the task of administering their respective jurisdiction. There are also Union Territories, though governed by the duly elected representatives to the assembly, which has central government-appointed Lieutenant Governors as figureheads on the lines of Governors for states to administer the smooth day-to-day functioning.
PC: Papefons Fons
- Friction between the duly elected government and the LG is quite common as is being witnessed in UTs of Delhi and Pondicherry over the years. To add to the already muddied waters, a regressive bill introduced in Lok Sabha recently to amend the Government of NCT of Delhi Act granting the LG extensive powers to intervene in the functioning of the capital city’s elected government is uncalled for. The 2018 Supreme Court judgment restricted the Centre’s ambit to control over police, public order and land ensured an uneasy ceasefire, allowing Delhi’s administration to proceed relatively smoothly. Now, the bill envisages mandating LG’s opinion before any decision is taken ensuring collision between the two authorities.
- Such a move goes against the tone and tenor of the SC ruling which rightly held that the Council of Ministers didn’t need to obtain LG’s concurrence on every issue of day-to-day governance. Note that the AAP government has secured people’s mandate successfully with a thumping margin in the last two elections fighting against the two national parties in BJP and the Congress. An ill-advised bill conferring more power to an unelected figurehead over and above the elected representatives is deeply hurtful for Indian democracy. The majority enjoyed by the ruling dispensation might allow the bill to pass but will fail judicial scrutiny. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the nation to drop the bill forthwith and continue the path as laid out by the SC.
