Question

Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:

Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.

A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.

Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.

Answer 1

• The challenge to democracy in the first statement is to provide equal status to all its citizens in spite of their caste.

• The challenge to democracy in the second instance is providing farmers with subsidies which will help them to earn profits and have a satisfactory level of livelihood.

• The challenge to democracy is to preserve the people's trust in government arms like the police.