Democracy, Pluralism and Conflict

Democracy has emerged as a total philosophy in contemporary world. All those values and structures which a revolution seeks to establish have now become essential elements of democracy. Human rights, gender equity, protection of minorities, fulfilment of peoples needs, rule of law-all these elements of democracy can be achieved only through the democratic process. Thus, elevation of revolutionary character of democracy is the real challenge today. The fundamental concerns of democracy-equality, social justice and pluralism-are further linked with the idea of secularism. Democracy and secularism not only match but they are also to be paired to acquire adequate space in a democratic system. Indian democracy is situated in its republican constitution. The adaptation of republican constitution and establishment of parliamentary system of government was actually the beginning of a struggle to sustain India as an independent state based on the democratic ideals of secularism, economic eq