By Narayan Prasad Mishra
We know our Gods – Mahadev, Narayan, and Krishna have many names. We have a prevalent saying – Narayan (Lord Vishnu) has thousands of names (Sahasra Nam). In the same way, our democracy has many names. During the Panchayat System, its name was Panchayati Prajatantra, but after 1990, it adopted the name Prajatantra. After 1990, it appeared as Loktantra. After some time, they might call it Janatantra or some other Tantra. For most people, it is the same as Narayan, which is the same, though he is addressed with many names.
We all acknowledge that real democracy is the epitome of good governance, which promises equality, justice, and freedom to its citizens. It symbolizes the ideal framework for societal harmony and progress. Based on these points, we can judge whether we have democracy in name or democracy in reality.
We all know we have all the institutions we need for democracy — election and election commissions, legislative bodies, executive bodies, judicial organizations, educational institutions, many offices for infrastructure development, and many kinds of offices for utility services. If we say those are only the things of democracy, we can undoubtedly say we have democracy. If we say democracy is the name of the fruit, result, or services it provides for the development of the country and the welfare of the people through the organizations mentioned earlier and systems, we need to analyze whether we have democracy or some other system. When we correctly analyze it, we will be bound to say that we still do not have democracy because the principles of democratic culture, justice, equality, and societal benefits remain elusive. We hardly see people enjoying democratic fruits – good governance, equality, justice, and a better life with affordable education, health, food, electricity, water, housing, environment, and many other utility services.
We hardly see democratic culture in the executive, judiciary, or police. Instead of good governance, we are bound to see bad governance, corruption, nepotism, and favoritism everywhere.
Democracy promises justice and equality under the law, regardless of one’s background, status, or beliefs. However, in our country, where democracy is superficial, these principles are eroded by systemic corruption, nepotism, and discrimination. The middle class and marginalized communities, including minorities and economically disadvantaged people, need to face barriers to accessing education, health, and other essential services, opportunities, and legal recourse. As a result, social inequalities persist rampant.
Genuine democracy brings tangible benefits to society, including economic prosperity, social cohesion, and human development. But in our country, the people who are in power and linked with the power circle prioritize everything, and power structures prioritize self-interest over the public good. Our constitutions have enshrined democratic principles, but the absence of genuine democratic culture, justice, equality, and societal benefits reveals the inherent flaws in hollow institutions. So, our democracy is enshrined in law, and the reality is a facade.
We have a system of giving names like — Dhani Ram, Bir Bahadur, Ram, Shyam, Krishna, Narayan, Shiva, Sita, Durga, etc. We all know Dhani means wealthy. We all know Bir Bahadur means brave. We all know the meaning and significance of Ram, Krishna, Narayan, Shiva, Sita, Durga, etc, of our Gods and Goddesses, our creators, saviors, and preservers. We also know that by just having the name Dhani Ram, one cannot be wealthy. People cannot be brave by just getting the name Bir Bahadur.
In the same way, just by having the names Krishna and Ram, people cannot be Lord Krishna and Lord Ram. In the same way, just saying democracy, cannot be democracy. You need to possess democratic attributes and qualities to be called true democracy.
I do not see the good face of democracy when I see the millions of cooperative victims who have been suffering to get their money back from the cooperative cheaters without justice. I do not see democracy when I see thousands of people suffer in courts even to get copies of the court verdict without connection, relation, or bribe. I do not see democracy when I see our people suffering to get the service they need in most of the public-related offices — land office, water office, electricity office, transportation office, survey office, or any other offices without bribing or having some connection. I do not see it in hospitals and educational institutions when poor and underprivileged people do not get needed services, being out of their capacity and affordability. I do not see it when I am asked to have Khaja Kharcha (token of money for buying snacks) by the staff of the electricity, sewage, water, telephone, etc., offices when they come to my house to fix the lines. I do not see a good performance of democracy when I see the sewage turned Bagmati River or other rivers in Kathmandu Valley, and the people nearby need to live with unbearable bad smell and stint by compulsion. I do not see it when I see thousands of people leaving the country for jobs in other countries without having a low or high job here. I do not see it when I see the powerful people connected with the power circle encroach on or occupy government land throughout the country without fear. I don’t see democracy when only party-connected individuals receive medals, awards, and honors for serving the nation without making notable contributions, while genuine nation servers and patriots are neglected in this regard.
I see the beautiful face of democracy in the country only for the people who are in government and who are connected with them. I see perfect democracy for them when I see they can have anything they want and do anything they like. Because of this, we are bound to witness several condemnable scandals like the Giribandhu Land Scandal and the Fake Bhutanese Refugee Scandal. I always see ordinary people everywhere, trapped in our democracy. So, I see our democracy is not democracy. It is democracy just in its name. It is like the name of someone named Dhaniram, who is, in fact, poor. Democracy should be as beautiful in practice as it is in theory. If our corrupt political parties and leaders are not cautious about it, if the situation goes bad to worse and people suffer, they will be bound to believe Benito Mussolitni’s following quotation.
We have a democracy that is not really working, and we need to look at them closely and make changes. Just saying we have democracy isn’t enough if we don’t actually follow its principles. Real democracy means more than just talking about it; it means it brings better change to people’s lives, provides better services, and truly believes in democratic values. It should ensure everyone’s rights are protected, not only the rights of party-connected people. We need to make sure our actions match our words to make democracy work for everyone. But I do not know who will heed my voice when everyone is focused on money and state power.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
Login to add a comment