Tyranny of the Majority: Walking the Tight Rope By Vidit Baya https://www.legalbites.in/tyranny-of-the-majority-walking-the-tight-rope/ | March 10, 2022
The principle of majority rule is superseded in democracies by the giving of fundamental rights- The right not to be discriminated against.
The BJP has recently flexed its majority at the Centre, in UP, and other states. ..majoritarian instincts have manifested themselves in a variety of ways, from their hardline stance in Kashmir to cow protectionism. Previously, 65 former IAS officers urged the government and public institutions to address the “growing authoritarianism and majoritarianism” that prevents “reasonable debate, discussion, and dissent.” However, lecturing the majority on tolerance will not make our majority rule system more suitable. This was obvious from the start of the republic. “It is not tolerance alone that makes democratic democracy work"
Innumerable ways, India’s majority rule has failed the country. It exacerbated communal tensions, ultimately leading to the country’s division. It enraged the majority of Kashmiris, turning the conflict become India’s bloodiest in history. It frequently empowers majority governments to act arbitrarily in passing laws or enforcing them. It allows governments to use investigative agencies like the CBI, police, and tax authorities to tyrannize citizens and political opponents. India’s severe corruption is also a result of unrestricted majority rule.
India must safeguard its democracy from the evils of majority rule. It’s past time for Indian administrations to start ‘serving’ rather than ‘ruling'.