Upholding Democracy through Peaceful Protests: A Call For Accountability

Source: The Indian Express

      Introduction: Protests: The Ornament of Democracy

• In a recent article titled “Don’t Protest in Patna,” Guru Prakash sheds light on the importance of protests as a fundamental aspect of democracy.
• He highlights the unfortunate incident of state-sponsored violence against BJP worker Vijay Singh during a peaceful march in Bihar. Drawing parallels with historical figures like Jayaprakash Narayan, Prakash emphasizes the need for political leaders to uphold democratic values and prioritize accountability.
• Protests will remain the ornament of our democracy and shall continue to act as a reminder to those who wishfully think that they can suppress the voices of ground-level leaders like Vijay Singh.

State-Sponsored Violence: A Dark Chapter in Patna’s History

• As the BJP was leading a peaceful march towards the Bihar Vidhan Sabha, state-sponsored violence was unleashed on the protesters.
• It is difficult to recall such institutional violence against a political protest in recent history.
• Only instances from colonial rule come to mind — Lala Lajpat Rai, a leading voice of the freedom struggle, was killed during a procession against the oppressive British regime.

Jayaprakash Narayan’s Legacy: Compromised Values

• Nitish Kumar often claims to be the inheritor of Jayaprakash Narayan’s legacy. JP, as he is popularly known, stood as a beacon of hope during the Emergency.
• JP was put behind bars by a dictatorial Congress regime. The so-called political successors of JP did not even blink once before compromising with the Congress party, which is representative of anything but democracy.

The Tragic Loss: Vijay Singh’s Unfortunate Fate

• This week, the streets of Patna and the historical Gandhi Maidan that once challenged a dictatorial regime became a witness to state tyranny.
• Vijay Singh, who was the BJP’s general secretary from Jehanabad, is an unfortunate victim of this state violence. Accountability for his death must be fixed.

Accountability in the Face of State Tyranny

• Singh came to Patna to exercise his constitutional right as a political worker. Rarely do we spare a thought for those who engage in the practice of political democracy.
• However, commenting on the state of Indian democracy from the ivory towers of think tanks in Delhi and Washington is in vogue within academia.

Selective Attention: Intellectual Discourse and Global Silence

• Billionaires with chequered pasts have publicly expressed interest in the affairs of Indian democracy. Questions about the silence of external Western powers are being raised by the leaders of opposition parties.
• Yet, not a single tweet expressing solace was put out by this brigade that claims to be a custodian of the constitutional ethos in the aftermath of violence in non-BJP-ruled states.

India’s Thriving Democracy: Inclusive Governance and Economic Growth

• Regardless, India remains a robust democracy, a growing economy, and has an increasingly inclusive government at the Centre. Under its leadership, marginalized sections are becoming major stakeholders in the India story.

Protests: A Powerful Reminder of Unyielding Voices

• Protests will remain the ornament of our democracy and shall continue to act as a reminder to those who wishfully think that they can suppress the voices of ground-level leaders like Vijay Singh.
• It is, therefore, pertinent to remember what B R Ambedkar said about the idea of democracy.
• It is “a form and a method of government whereby revolutionary changes in the economic and social life of the people are brought about without bloodshed”.

Conclusion: Democracy’s Transformative Power: Revolutionary Changes Without Bloodshed

• The writer highlights the transformative power of democracy, where peaceful protests serve as a powerful tool to bring about revolutionary changes in society.
• The tragic incident in Patna serves as a reminder that accountability must be upheld, and the voices of ground-level leaders like Vijay Singh should not be silenced.
• Upholding democratic values and ensuring inclusive governance are crucial for India’s progress and the preservation of its democratic fabric.

Mains Exam Practice Question:

• Essay Topic: The Significance of Peaceful Protests in Upholding Democracy