The Decline of Moral Integrity in India: Is Democracy a Boon or a Curse?
Recent events or perhaps, events from the past 3 decades across India have raised serious concerns about the erosion of moral values in the country. Regardless of region or state, various incidents have forced us to question whether democracy remains a blessing or has turned into a curse. The misuse of power and the shield of "legislative immunity" by politicians make us wonder whether is this the system our constitutional architects envisioned.
A case in Karnataka exemplifies this decay. A minister alleged that 48 politicians had fallen victim to a "honey trap," only to retract his claim later. Instead of lodging a complaint or filing a formal FIR, the compliant had simply forwarded this to the Home Minister of State. The likelihood of any substantial action remains bleak. Due to "legislative immunity," the truth remains buried, and the courts are powerless to enforce accountability.
In another alarming instance, a Delhi High Court judge was accused of possessing large sums of unaccounted cash at his residence. His response? He denied any knowledge of it. While attempts were made to suppress the issue, social media exposed the scandal. However, because judges enjoy "collegium immunity," no action can be taken against him aside from a long-winded impeachment process. In contrast, an ordinary citizen would face immediate suspension and legal consequences. Past cases involving Justices Nirmal Yadav, Samit Mukherjee, and Ramaswami further highlight this recurring pattern of judicial misconduct.
Similarly, political hypocrisy is rampant. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha recently suspended Congress MPs for disrupting proceedings, which the opposition termed a "murder of democracy" and an attack on "freedom of speech." However, when the same party suspended 18 BJP MLAs in Karnataka for similar reasons, no such outcry followed. The BJP, too, engages in the same doublespeak when the roles are reversed. Constitution, democracy, and freedom of expression have become mere tools in the hands of "ethics-deficient" politicians.
The Misuse of Constitutional Amendments
Opposition parties frequently accuse ruling governments of tampering with the Constitution, yet they themselves manipulate it for political gain. Two key issues illustrating this are reservation policies and delimitation of constituencies.
The Never-Ending Reservation Policy
The Constitution originally provided reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for only ten years, ending in 1960. However, successive constitutional amendments have extended these reservations every decade without proper justification. Politicians use this policy as a vote-bank tool and a means to divide Hindu electoral consolidation.
If, after 70 years of reservation in practice, communities remain underprivileged, either the system is flawed, or the beneficiaries have not utilised the opportunities effectively. Instead of blindly extending reservations, why not reassess the criteria to align with contemporary realities? The caste system, which should have been eradicated, remains intact largely due to reservation policies. Moreover, reservations discriminate against economically weaker sections that do not fall under the reserved categories, violating Article 14, which guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens.
Delimitation: A Political Chess Game
Delimitation, as per Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution, involves redrawing constituency boundaries based on population data to ensure fair representation in Parliament and State Assemblies. It was implemented thrice—in 1951, 1961, and 1971—when India's population was 36 crore, 46 crore, and 54 crore, respectively. The Lok Sabha seats increased from 422 to 543 in 1971, ensuring an average population representation per seat.
However, in the mid-1970s, India launched an aggressive population control initiative, which was a grand success only in southern states. This created an imbalance, as North Indian states with unchecked population growth would gain more parliamentary seats in future delimitations. Recognising this disparity, a moratorium on delimitation was imposed via the 42nd Amendment and extended in 2006 through the 84th Amendment, postponing the next delimitation until 2026.
The looming delimitation process, now projected based on a population of 147-148 crore, faces resistance from southern states, especially Tamil Nadu. Their argument is that the North’s rising population should not translate into increased parliamentary power at the expense of states that successfully controlled growth. While their concerns are valid, demanding an indefinite moratorium violates the Constitution. Instead, a fair alternative that balances population with developmental progress should be considered.
The Crisis of Democracy and Governance
A troubling pattern among Indian politicians is their tendency to manipulate democratic norms for personal gain. For example, a Chief Minister refused to resign despite being arrested for corruption, forcing the courts to bar him from office. Another CM involved in the infamous fodder scam simply installed his wife as his replacement. Worse still, in 1984, India got a Prime Minister after the assassination of his predecessor without an official election by the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP). These instances mock the democratic spirit but are rarely called constitutional threats.
Indian democracy has devolved into a dynastic democracy, where political legacies matter more than merit. This flaw stems from the blind adoption of the Westminster-style parliamentary system inherited from the British. Given India’s economic and literacy conditions at the time, a homegrown political model should have been designed instead. By failing to do so, India allowed unethical practices to infiltrate its governance.
The Role of Education, Poverty, and Corruption
Expecting ethics and morality in governance from an impoverished and uneducated population is unrealistic. Politicians exploit these vulnerabilities, using populism and vote-bank politics to maintain power. India’s population explosion has worsened the situation, making democracy an uphill battle. Unlike China, which maintained controlled growth and economic progress, India’s democratic model has stagnated due to misgovernance and corruption.
To strengthen democracy, we must:
Combat poverty by fostering economic opportunities.
Improve literacy, not just through formal education but by enhancing critical thinking and awareness.
Eliminate caste-based politics and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
Separate religion from politics to prevent communal manipulation.
Conclusion: A Call for Democratic Revival
Indian democracy today suffers from the cancer of corruption, jeopardizing national integrity, security, and unity. A radical transformation is necessary, requiring a strong national government with the political will to implement meaningful reforms. However, military rule or authoritarianism is not the answer, as history shows they lead to further exploitation.
The solution lies in informed voting. Citizens must elect leaders based on their vision for development and governance, rather than caste, religion, or short-term populism. Only by making educated electoral choices can we save our democracy from its current moral decline.
