World Democracy Day: Any damage to electoral system would directly affect the marginalised sections, says K'taka Dy CM

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on Tuesday that any damage to the electoral system would directly affect the marginalised sections of society, including Dalits, backward classes and minorities.

Speaking at the International Democracy Day programme organised by the Social Welfare Department at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall, Parameshwara added that free and fair elections, respect for human rights, press freedom, public participation in governance, accountability and transparency were the foundations of a peaceful society.

"These are the things that constitute democracy. Today, there are around 90 democratic countries in the world, while the situation and systems of governance are different in other countries," he said.

Referring to developments in neighbouring Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, Parameshwara added that India had remained resilient because of the strong foundation laid by B.R. Ambedkar through the Constitution.

He said that around 65 per cent of India's population comprised young people in the 16-35 age group and stressed the need to prepare them to take forward the country's democratic system.

"Gen Z has now come to the forefront. We have a responsibility to hand over a better political system to them. We must inculcate constitutional values and democratic principles among them," he added.

Parameshwara said the Karnataka government had taken several initiatives to promote constitutional awareness, including distributing copies of the Constitution's Preamble to schools, colleges and homes.

Recalling India's democratic traditions, the Deputy Chief Minister added that the Anubhava Mantapa established in the 12th century under the leadership of Basavanna and Allama Prabhu had provided a platform for people from different castes and communities to express their views.

"While the British Parliament is often called the father of democracy, India is the mother of democracy," he said.

Parameshwara alleged that the Union government was attempting to weaken the electoral system to remain in power permanently and termed it dangerous.

"The first impact will be on people at the lower rungs of society. Dalits, backward classes and minorities will suffer," he said.

He added that Ambedkar had provided constitutional safeguards and reservations to uplift communities that had faced oppression for thousands of years.

"Why should the oppressed communities not come into the mainstream?" he asked.

Parameshwara said that democracy could bring revolutionary changes to people's economic and social lives without revolution or bloodshed.

Citing Ambedkar, the Deputy Chief Minister added that political democracy could not survive without the foundation of social democracy.

He called upon people to uphold democratic and constitutional values and ensure that those who worked against democracy were kept away from power.

Karnataka Social Welfare Minister K.H. Muniyappa, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj S. Thangadagi and other legislators and dignitaries attended the programme.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]