India is proud to be regarded as one of the largest democracies of the world. India achieved freedom from British yoke when the clock struck twelve on August 15, 1947. It had to put extra effort in coaxing the princely states into its dominion. As the population of these states was predominantly Hindu, they had little choice but to join the union of India, except for Nizam of Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir which had Muslim Majority population and were eager to join the newly created state of Pakistan as it was conceived and carved out for Muslims.
India came to be divided on the lines of religion and with it a new state of Pakistan came into existence. As a natural corollary, India came to be regarded as a Hindu state. However the framers of Indian constitution were conscious of this delicate issue. In order to protect and woo the minorities, who were part of their culture and (it was more due to geographical reason than sentimental on part of Muslim population who did not migrate) they were considered as a meaningful vote bank for political parties. The minorities, a sizeable section of the population, had their own weight in the politics of the country. As such the framers adopted a secular constitution. The preamble of constitution declares India to be sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. Democracy signifies power emanates from people.
The greatest democracy got a jolt when India declared emergency.  Freedom of speech and expression were curtailed, fundamental rights were suspended and there was no rule of law. Yet the shock absorbing capacity and vastness of the country prevented the disintegration of the country.
Hindutva has become a rallying point for those who have this feeling that India is a Hindu Rashtra. It has threatened the Secular fabric of the country. Regionalism has the potential to divide the country into smaller states. Differences on the basis of language sparked off a new wave of violence. All this points to the fact tolerance among communities is at its lowest ebb and democracy is worn out.
On the failure of constitutional machinery, Presidents rule can be imposed in the states under Article 356 of the Constitution. In Presidents rule the politics becomes meaningful and national.  Presidential form of Government will lead to two party norm beginning with broad based alliance between likeminded parties, which will bring about dramatic change in the political atmosphere of the country.  States will emerge as stronger autonomous units and will have elected governors who will wield genuine power. The term of elected governor will be five years; this will ensure stability and implementation of developmental programmes. The presidential form of government will provide dual citizenship to the people and will ensure that the power emanates from the people not from the cabinet and council of Ministers as is the case in the parliamentary democracy.

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Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST