Democratic Governance/Participation
Democratic existence in a country like India cannot only be imagined purely in terms of the ideals of liberty, free speech, fraternity or secularism. The large majority of the populace do not carry out their everyday life by being conscious of their democratic rights as citizens. Citizenship for them may only mean availing themselves of the benefits of governmental initiatives like health care or public distribution system or the right to vote in elections.
Citizenship is one of the modes of existence in India for them. But it is an important mode. It may be because of this that a large number of people came out to protest when they felt a threat to this mode of existence in the wake of Indian parliament passing Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019. It was a fight for the right to exist and not for upholding the ideals of liberal democracy. It is also possible to see another major protest against the Union government – the farmer’s protest against the now-scrapped central laws – also as a fight of this sort. It may look simplistic but most powerful and enduring fights are often fights which are necessitated when our existence as bare beings are threatened. These may be some of the most visible examples of struggles that we have seen for democratic life of this sort, but there may have been many more unnoticed ones. It is here that totalitarianism would find its limits, and fail to establish itself.
20/11/2023
In the last two weeks, parliament has been witness to majoritarian bullying like never before. The Opposition's demands for
https://thewire.in/rights/parliament-treasury-disruption-new-low
the treasury bench has never before taken up a systematic plan to ensure that both sessions are stopped from functioning – every day, without fail. The bedlam is so utterly predictable and ruthlessly well-coordinated. It’s been on since March 13 when the re-convened budget session commenced. This self-sponsored chaos ensures that the scandalous charges against Adani are not taken up for discussion at all. People had expected that the judiciary and the legislature investigate the executive’s indulgences and misdemeanours. As parliament screeches to a halt every day, the legislature’s power to investigate the Adani group’s manipulation of the stock market and public policies is log-jammed by parliament itself.
24/03/2023
The Agnipath Scheme May Be Designed to Ring the Death Knell of Indian Democracy https://thewire.in/security/agnipath-scheme-death-knell-indian-democracy-hindu-rashtra The new recruitment scheme will slowly change the character of the army and also provide well-trained 'non-state actors' to further the political agenda of the ruling Parivar.
Mumbai needs more citizens in active, constructive politics February 22, 2022 Abhishek Thakore https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/towards-constructive-citizens-politics-in-mumbai-29834
If we dream of creating resilient societies, they have to be filled with hope, energy and care. A middle-class movement can only emerge when its politics naturally resonate with its demographic. Rather than activism that can be overly critical, the idea of engaging constructively is more amenable.
Constructive politics is a non-violent approach to making change happen, the one where the villain is not the politician but the indifferent citizen. And, by trusting our capacities and the intent of those wanting a better city, we can manifest a city we deserve.
See also: Citizen Audit Guide - Blue Ribbon Movement Aniruddha Gaonkar, a volunteer at BRM conducted a
citizen audit of R-North ward and compiled a guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-ek8hKi-LsHZU4tUTyoBeU1ltnN9vgD/view
Mendha (Lekha) Documentary on Forest Rights (Hindi) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIJSFBS3eU4
Mendha the village which declared that we have our government. It is in the Dhanora tehsil of Gadchiroli district in the state of Maharashtra.
The hamlet of 84 families of "Gond triabls" with population of 500. The Gaon-Samaj-Sabha of Mendha has all the adult villagers as its members. The decision of "Gram Sabha" that finally prevail. The villagers livelihood depended on the forest. The traditional right established after FOREST RIGHT ACT 2006. This village is the first one in India which got community right over forest.
Ekla Chalo Re with Devaji Tofa Interviewed by Mahesh Mhatre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRsdJTmKsF4