Democracy in India a Paradigm Shift

The linear democracy is neither a new concept nor a contribution of Western politics. It had its origin in Indian Vedic age. The Vedic scriptures are Rig Veda, Brahmanas, Ashtadhya of Panini, The Arthasatra of Kodilya, and writings of Budhist and Jaina scholars. They all bear witness to self-governing republics. these janasabas and citizen's community are democratic and historical facts. In such 'Republican' political systems, the opinions of the majority was given infallibility and hundred per cent recognition. Moreover, There was a committee system which the serious things and decisions were analysed and evaluated by the so-called representatives of the people who were members of such a political scenario.

During the British Rule in India, there wasn't any conspicuous development for this regional self-governments. The Punjayath bodies had no vital roles to play in the community. On the other hand, they had to experience institutional and economic persecutions. However, when Gandhiji entered to our political scenario it began to change. He was an apostle of village-based democracy(Panjayathi Raj). It was Gandhiji who laid the foundation for such a political concept in modern India. In 1942, on July 26, Gandhiji wrote in 'Harijan' about Gram swaraj ( the self-government of the villages). Gandhhiji visualized some self-reliant Grama Panjayaths which can fulfill all the basic needs and necessities of man. But, inter-village co-operation is also required. That is what is highlighted in the Article 40 of Indian constitution.

After the independence, there were rebuilding and reconstructing activities. The social development activities and national knowledge building programmes were an essential part of such a political rivival. These programmes aimed at rural and agricultural development. These activities helped in a dramatic social and economic changes. The committee appointed for implementing that set out to plan the strategies for economic development, execution of plans and ensure the cooperation of people for such a noble cause. But the officers' community was against this move. Consequently, these institutions failed to be effective. Those were not under the control of ordinary people. That was what Ashok Metha committee which came into effect in 1978, termed as 'advancement' and 'stagnance'. That committee pointed out that the basic strata of the planning and concentration and distribution of resources must be at the district level. G.V.K Rao committe also stated the importance of the panjayathiraj in the rural development.

In 1986, there was a move to gather ideas for the smooth running of such panjayathiraj institutions. This committee should have a solid constitutional backing. The foundation for such a gramasabha is a self-governing body democratically elected from the people. But the sarkaria commission didn't agree with that. Ignoring this in 1989, Rajeev Gandhi presented the 64th amendment of the constitution in the parliament. But this bill failed in Rajya Sabha and it got recognized when it was again presented in 1992 as 73 constitutional amendment.This amendment will be known as one of the best legislation in India. Due to this, Panjayathiraj has come into effect fully in India. thus there was a decentralization of power from central government and state governments to rural punjayaths and governing bodies.

Gandhi said, "India lives in its villages". But the people of India- the villagers- were set aloof from the political power. The central and state governments were beyond their reach. Panjayathiraj aims decentralization of the power to the smallest strata of the society. This is nothing but Gramswaraj. it's aimed at the well being of the citizens to the minutest layer of the society. It makes use of the regional resources. Equal opportunities based on priority, and subsequent development is the sole aim of such a political set up.Downtrodden and ordinary people come to mainstream of the society.It aims at the personal development of the each individual. The basic services like education and health care are easily accessible to common man. There won't be any possibility for monopoly of power and corruption. Through this system the strict supervision of social auditing is also possible. The regional bodies get power to levy tax which will lead to immense development.