Harvinder Kalyan has sparked national pride by proclaiming India as the globe’s premier democracy, unshaken by its protracted colonial history. This bold claim arrives at a time when global democratic indices often scrutinize emerging nations.
Drawing from history, Kalyan recounted the oppressive British Raj that lasted over 200 years, exploiting resources and stifling self-rule. ‘Yet, from those chains, India emerged not just independent but as the biggest democratic powerhouse,’ he stated passionately.
Post-1947, India adopted a constitution that guaranteed universal adult suffrage – a radical move for a nation with staggering illiteracy rates at the time. Today, it boasts over 900 million voters, dwarfing any other democracy.
Kalyan elaborated on structural strengths: a multi-party system fostering competition, federalism accommodating regional diversity, and robust institutions like the Election Commission ensuring fair polls. These have weathered storms from coalition governments to coalition breakdowns.
He addressed contemporary concerns, such as media freedom and minority rights, arguing that India’s democracy is ‘alive and evolving.’ Comparative analyses with other nations reveal India’s edge in scale and endurance.
Kalyan’s message resonates amid rising authoritarian trends globally. India’s model offers lessons in inclusivity and perseverance. As the nation gears up for future polls, this affirmation reinforces faith in its democratic ethos, proving colonial shadows cannot eclipse its luminous present.
