Every year on 15 September, the International Day of Democracy is observed across the world. It is a day to think about what democracy means in the lives of ordinary people. It reminds us of the value of having a voice, choosing our representatives and taking part in matters that affect our communities.
Democracy is closely connected with freedom, equality, participation and the rule of law. It gives people space to express their views and raise concerns through peaceful and lawful means.
How Did the International Day of Democracy Begin? The idea behind the day goes back to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). On 15 September 1997, the IPU adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy in Cairo. The declaration highlighted principles such as people’s participation, equality, human rights, freedom and respect for different views. Later, on 8 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/7 and decided to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy. The first International Day of Democracy was observed in 2008. Since then, the day has been used to encourage discussions about democracy, citizens’ participation and the importance of democratic institutions.
What Does Democracy Mean to an Ordinary Person? When we hear the word democracy, elections and voting often come to mind first. Elections are certainly an important part of democracy, although the idea goes much further. For an ordinary person, democracy can mean having the confidence to speak about a problem, question a decision, approach a representative or ask an authority for action. It also means having peaceful and lawful ways to make one’s concerns heard. A democratic society works best when people understand their rights, respect the rights of others and take their responsibilities seriously.
India is distinctive in the democratic world in being the largest democracy in the world. The Indian Constitution became functional on 26 January 1950 and India became a republic with its constitutional framework for democracy. For Indians, democracy provides the opportunity to elect representatives at different levels of government. People participate through elections, Parliament, state legislatures, Panchayati Raj Institutions, municipalities and various other public institutions.
India is also a country of enormous diversity. People belonging to different regions, languages, communities and social backgrounds live within the same constitutional framework. This diversity makes participation and mutual respect important parts of democratic life.
The importance of democracy becomes clearer when we imagine the situation of an ordinary citizen facing injustice or a serious problem. In non-democratic political systems, citizens generally have fewer meaningful opportunities to choose or change their national leadership through free and competitive elections. Political power may be concentrated around a single leader, a royal family or one dominant political party. North Korea, China, Cuba, Vietnam, etc. have political systems that differ considerably from India’s multiparty democracy. Citizens’ experiences also vary from one country to another. In those countries where there are restrictions on public dissent and politics, people might have limited ways of questioning the decisions taken, organising demonstrations and criticising the authority figures.
In the case of a democracy like India, citizens have multiple ways to express their grievances. These include reaching out to the elected representatives, using legal means, approaching public officials, organising peaceful demonstrations, and engaging with civil society organisations. With the advent of social media platforms, this medium too has become one of the spaces to share experiences. A local problem that once remained within a neighbourhood can now reach thousands or even millions of people through a social-media post or video. Public attention can sometimes encourage authorities to respond more quickly.
This ability to speak and seek accountability is one of the important strengths of democratic life. A citizen can question a decision, ask for an explanation or demand action on an issue affecting the community.
At the same time, democratic freedom comes with responsibility. Raising one’s voice should go hand in hand with respect for the law, peaceful conduct, verification of information and respect for other people’s rights. Why Is Democracy Important? Democracy gives importance to ideas such as representation, equality, accountability, freedom of expression and public participation. These values become meaningful when people are able to engage with institutions and when institutions listen to legitimate public concerns. Young people have an important role in shaping the future of democracy. Their understanding of the Constitution, civic responsibilities and public institutions can influence how they participate in society.
For today’s youth, social media is also a major source of information and discussion. This makes media literacy increasingly important. Young people need to check information before sharing it, recognise misinformation and use digital platforms responsibly.
The idea of democracy also has relevance in Jammu and Kashmir. Greater awareness about democratic institutions, elections, civic responsibilities and public programmes can help people participate more confidently in public life. Specifically, young people and women can contribute via means such as education, community-based projects, good governance and constructive public dialogues. Grassroots participation can help ensure that the community communicates its needs and aids local development. Development is closely connected with people’s participation. Citizens know many of the challenges faced by their communities because they experience them in their daily lives. When people raise genuine concerns about education, healthcare, roads, employment or other public issues through appropriate channels, these concerns can become part of wider discussions about development. Democratic participation therefore creates a connection between people’s needs and public decision-making.
The internet has changed the way people participate in public discussions. A smartphone now gives an ordinary citizen the ability to record an issue, share an opinion and reach a large audience within minutes. This has created new opportunities for public participation. It has also created new challenges. False information, edited videos and misleading posts can spread quickly and influence public opinion. Responsible use of social media is therefore important. Citizens should check facts, avoid spreading rumours and maintain respectful discussions even when opinions differ.
Democracy should not rely solely on the government and elected officials. Elections, knowledge, obedience to laws, consideration of different perspectives, raising issues, and peaceful participation in the democratic process are some of the duties of a responsible citizen. Citizens can differ in their political ideologies, social background, and priorities. Democracy provides a peaceful framework in which these differences can exist while people continue to participate in public life.
In summary, the International Day of Democracy helps us contemplate on something that we tend to take for granted, which is the importance of having a voice. India, because of democracy, has been able to give itself a constitution within which its citizens participate in selecting its leaders and shaping its policies.
The more citizens are aware of their rights and responsibilities and exercise their right to voice out peacefully and legally, the more democracy can flourish. It is an ongoing process defined daily by the participation of the people.
