15th September is the International Day of Democracy
Democracy is a common and popular term in a country like India as we are the largest democratic nation on earth. It is powered by the will of the people and their active participation. Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Few principles include free and fair elections, ensuring human rights, maintaining rule of law, accountability, etc. There are merits as well as many challenges in democracy.
Democracy draws its strength from people: their voices, their choices, and their participation in shaping their societies. It flourishes when rights are protected, particularly for those most often left behind. We should know that democracy is a core value of the United Nations
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 15th September as the International Day of Democracy. The observance provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Only with the full support of the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be realised to the benefit of all and everywhere.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
United Nations activities in support of democracy are carried out through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), among others.
António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN in his message on the occasion said that “today, as we mark 18 years of this International Day — and 20 years of the UN Democracy Fund — we honour the courage of people everywhere who are shaping their societies through dialogue, participation, and trust.”
“At a time when democracy and the rule of law are under assault from disinformation, division, and shrinking civic space, these efforts are more vital than ever. Let us reaffirm democracy as a force for dignity, inclusion, and peace — and work together to ensure it delivers for all” , he further said .
For 20 years, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) has played a crucial role in advancing democratic values across the globe. Since its founding, UNDEF has supported civil society, inclusive participation, and strengthened institutions that uphold human rights and the rule of law. Its projects have reached grassroots communities, giving voice to the marginalized, promoting gender equality, and encouraging transparent governance.
Democracy is an age-old concept in India. As per the Indian ethos, democracy comprises the values of freedom, acceptability, equality, and inclusivity in a society and allows its common citizens to lead a quality and dignified life. The Rigveda and the Atharvaveda, the earliest available sacred texts refer to participatory institutions like the Sabha, Samiti, and Sansad, the last term being still in currency denoting our parliament.
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the great epics of this land, also talk about involving people in decision-making. There are also found in Indian textual instances that the authority to govern is earned through merit or common consensus and is not hereditary. There has been constant discourse on the legitimacy of the voter in various democratic institutions such as the Parishad and Samiti. Indian democracy is truly a festive proclamation of veracity, cooperation, collaboration, peace, sympathy and collective strength of the people.
There are challenges when it comes to democracy including corruption. Democratic governance is important where people’s participation is guaranteed. Sometimes it is also important who is running the system because good governance, accountability or transparency is possible when the right people take the right places. Democracy needs to be strengthened in our country in a positive way so that we can become ‘Viksit Bharat’ when we observe 100 years of independence. Let us all participate actively and in a positive way to make democracy more vibrant.
(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Ranjan K Baruah
Ganeshguri,Guwahati