Wave of protests will deepen democratic roots, says Pranab

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 23

Noting that democracy thrives on listening, arguing and even dissent, former President Pranab Mukherjee today said the “present wave” of protests that have “gripped” the country is certain to add to the country’s glory in further deepening its democratic roots.

Delivering the Sukumar Sen Memorial Lecture organised by the Election Commission here, Mukherjee, without mentioning the issues on which the protests are taking place, said: “The last few months have witnessed people come out on the streets in large numbers, particularly the young, to voice their views on the issues, which in their opinion are important. There assertion and belief in the Constitution is particularly heartening to see.”

The former President went on to add that consensus is “the lifeblood of democracy”, as it thrives on “listening, deliberating, discussing, arguing and even dissent”.

Talking about the challenges that the country faces because of almost perpetually remaining under Model Code of Conduct imposed by the Commission on the eve of every Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Mukherjee said, there is a thought of holding Assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously. He went on to add that it was possible only by amending Constitution and with political consensus, as there are many flaws that will need to be adequately addressed if the pre-1967 electoral arrangements are re-stablised.

Expressing concern over inadequate representation of women in Parliament and Assemblies, he said: “An appropriate mechanism is needed to be worked out and necessary amendments should be brought about.”

On the need to have impeccable credibility of the election process in the country, Mukherjee said: “People’s mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt. A firm believer in our institutions, it is my considered opinion that it is the ‘workmen’ who decide how the institutional ‘tools’ perform. The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission. They must do so and put any speculations to rest.”