Question

Critically examine three ways in which the prevalence of political violence affects the functioning of Indian democracy. 

Answer 1

Democracy in India is now facing some serious challenges. These are issues that the framers of the Indian Constitution thought of too. To address these issues, they did make some provisions but there are still some challenges that even this draft cannot handle.

Violence has existed for long, but political violence is dangerous for any system to function. India has been witness to many such instances. Political violence has acquired grave proportions in general. Communal riots are caused to fulfill motives related to religious, political and economic factors.

Caste violence in all its forms and types has been rising everywhere in India. In fact, this type of violence has now taken a political form where political parties are coaxing the flames of caste violence amongst the different castes and classes. Despite agricultural progress, the abolishment of the medieval zamindari system, and developments of the nature of the green and white revolution, powerful feudal fundamentals still exist in the society. A grim conflict of interests emerges between high and lower castes which causes competition for political power which takes on a violent turn.

Another facet of political violence is the murder of political leaders and opponents which has been a sad reality. Two Prime Ministers of India had to face deaths inflicted because of political violence. It has been indeed very unfortunate that in the land of Buddha, Nanak and Gandhi, violence continues to live. The criminalization of politics resulting from the entry of criminals in politics as well as due to the adoption of violence as a means by some unscrupulous political leaders has been major reasons behind the increasing presence of violence in politics.

Violence is adopted during elections to either rally the voters or to stop them from exercising their rights to vote. Moreover, demands of a separate state, the reorganization of provinces or adjusting the boundaries of state has also resulted in riots, murders, and various other disasters affecting the everyday life of the citizens Violence has been associated to industrial strikes, and movements of farmers, and agitations of students.