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Democracy

Insights

Election Commission will now be appointed by a Non-Partisan panel, SC rules out the decision

By directing the Election Commission to be appointed by a non-partisan panel, the Supreme Court (SC) strengthens democracy. But more needs to be done for institutional independence. EC, as well as all other regulatory bodies made autonomous of the executive, should be made answerable to designated committees of Parliament. This is essential to ensure the democratic accountability of all institutions to the ultimate sovereign, the people.

InsightsGovernance and Law

SC directs EC’s autonomous functionaries towards strengthening Democracy

By directing the Election Commission to be appointed by a non-partisan panel, the Supreme Court strengthens democracy. But more needs to be done for institutional independence. EC, as well as all other regulatory bodies made autonomous of the executive, should be made answerable to designated committees of Parliament. This is essential to ensure the democratic accountability of all institutions to the ultimate sovereign, the people.

InsightsGovernance and Law

Persons of Integrity in Democracy & Independence of Institutions

The Supreme Court, by raising the issue of the appointment of the Election Commissioner, has also brought into question the integrity of the Prime Minister (‘PM’), who is key to the appointment. Thus, doubt has been raised about the country’s constitutional authorities, including the judiciary. The executive, in any case, does the bidding of the political masters. So, where are the people of integrity in the corridors of power in India?

Insights

Democracy Deficit : Dalit boy killed for drinking water from pot and stabbing of Rushdie

The assaults on Salman Rushdie and the Rajasthan Dalit boy both stem from democracy deficit.

Two recent assaults, the attempted killing of Salman Rushdie in a New York town, and the killing of Indra, a small boy in a Rajasthan village, for daring to drink from his school master’s water pot, point to deep failings of Indian democracy, without addressing which Indians cannot hope to be truly free.

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