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The English people are great lovers of democracy. One may say that England was the cradle of democracy based on the party system. It is known as Parliamentary democracy because Parliament is supreme. The English people are indeed unique in many respects. They love their king and respect him; rather, they hold him in high regard. But he is a powerless monarch. He has to act according to the wishes of the Parliament. Even in personal matters like love and marriage of the members of the Royal family they cannot have their own say. They want their king. But he must be a harmless creature, to put it bluntly.

Well - defined convention:
The history of the evolution of democracy in England makes an interesting reading. No other nation has evolved such a political system — resilient yet firm. They have no written Constitution, yet everything is done in accordance with the long-accepted and well-defined convention. Perhaps it is the only unwritten Constitution in the world. The conventions are delicate and beautiful. Often they lead to bungling and hair-splitting arguments. Yet they help the rulers tide over very difficult situations. Some writers say that their conventions are neither delicate nor beautiful, but clumsy and halting. Yet the people revel in it. If there is a democratic set - up in the world, that can be called as such, perhaps the British system may be truly said to be one, and the only one.

The English people fought for this over a long period before they were able to formulate it. In the beginning they were ruled by a despotic king. The people resented his rule. Ultimately they beheaded their own king. After much experimentation they installed a king who had to consent to all their terms. The king was powerless, like the king of the playing cards. But he enjoyed enormous love and regard. Queen Victoria, King George VIII and the present queen Elizabeth are reputed monarchs. The Royal family is looked after well. But their lives are similar to those of the parrots in the cage: Very pretty; very dear — the inquisitive eyes often peep into their living holes and take pleasure is spreading scandals. The poor Royal family has no right to privacy, even though it is not said so in so many words.

The English people's memory is not short. Though they have largely modified history, in the depth of their unconscious selves, they do not want that the members of the royal family should show even an iota of their free minds. When their King is dead, they declared “The king is dead! Long live the King!” The king for them is a concept and in its name all the affairs of the State are carried out. People's spirit of freedom, and of thought, expression, etc., is kept alive. Theirs is a vibrant democracy.

Compare their system with that of ours. We have the British system of democracy. But since ours is a Democratic Republic we cannot pay obeisance to any human figure. But we have had been under the British rule for a long time, and as such, we have installed a Rashtrapathi (!) at the Centre and a Rajyapal at the State level. The Rajyapal is like the moon. He reflects the aura of the President, who in turn has to act according to the decisions of Parliament.

Democracy is Dead:
We Indian's cannot copy the British slogan (regarding the death of the king). We want to imitate the British in another respect. Our politicians are trying to kill, if not the king, the system itself. It appears that they are shouting today, “Democracy is Dead, Long live Democracy!” Poor fellows, if the king of the English people is dead they can have the next in hierarchy on throne. Our politicians cannot bring in another democracy in its place! Election in the present age is the most civilised way of bringing about change. Since democracy is rule by the people (for the people, and of the people), they have to select some from among them to rule the State on their behalf. Elections are means of changing guards, not the system itself. Don't throw the baby with the bath water.

Our democracy is not yet resilient, beautiful and delicate. It is crude and ugly (and dangerous!) Those who get elected often masquerade as democrats but they have sharp teeth and claws. They (many of them) are not interested in selecting deserving, honest and able people. They wish to gate-crash into Government by enacting the drama of election. If they don't get elected, they say that after them there would be deluge! Their henchmen are their security guards—money and muscle power are ruling supreme. Mining mafia and real property netas rule the roost. Their attitude is something like this: Why do you visit the opposite shop and get cheated? Come to us, vote for us (to be cheated by us!) The poor voter has no choice it is Hobson's choice, shall we say? Vote for them. No choice. Even if you vote for others. They are the same people in different party garbs! The previous Government was defeated and it fell down. Elect another Government (that is ourselves). Democracy is dead. Long live Demo (?) cracy! In their view, democracy means their rule and their power to distribute spoils. Ministerships, leaderships of Corporations, Authorities, Commissions, Presiding officers, etc! The harvest is plenty. The reapers are few. Don't worry.

Aurangazeb and music:
In this connection I remember a lesson prescribed to us when I was a student of high school. It is said that Aurangazeb, who led an austere life, banned music in his Delhi domain. The musicians were very sad. Aurangazeb refused to listen to their prayers to lift the ban. At last the music lovers thought of a devise. They took out a mock funeral procession of the effigy of the Goddess of music before the Palace, shouting slogans and reciting sad music. The Emperor ask-ed his men what was the noise about. They did not know. When the mourners were questioned, they said, “Music is dead. We are taking her to the burial ground”.

Aurangazeb is reported to have said, “Mind you, bury her deep!” When there is no people's government, people have no freedom. The rules, in the name of discipline, bring harsh rules and hardship to people. Even a bad democracy is better than the best enlightened rule. Democracy is like a delicate flower. Let us not have an iron frame for it. If democracy is stifled, all nice things are lost. Please! Politicians, for the State's sake, keep democracy alive. The State cries for urgent improvement. Next to Rajasthan, Karnataka is a State which has vast areas of arid land. Let us make it rich! Come! Let us save our democracy!

HSK
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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