INTRODUCTION
Civil society can be seen as the sum total of individual and
collective initiatives for common public good i. This definition of
civil society acknowledges the presence of individual initiatives in
different cultures. Individual action, howsoever limited and small,
contributes to the well-being of society as a whole. This has been
reinforced through various religious and spiritual traditions in different
societies in different periods of history. Collective initiatives, as has been
mentioned earlier, take on different forms in different periods of history.
In today’s context, they take on a variety of associational forms based on
the nature of association between citizens and their families. Today,
traditional associational basis of caste, ethnicity, community are being
replaced with more contemporary affiliations based on neighbourhood,
profession, class and work place.
The potential of civil society in affecting the state and citizens’ lives is
beginning to be recognised all over the state; at the same time it is also
being increasing realised that governance is not the sole responsibility
of the government. Hence in the promotion of “good governance” civil
society can play an important role in reforming the state in the badly
governed countries and through interrogation and collaboration can help
promote democracy, rule of law and social justice
Activism is action on behalf of a cause, action that goes beyond what is
conventional or routine. The action might be door-to-door canvassing,
alternative radio, public meetings, rallies, or fasting. The cause might be
women's rights, opposition to a factory, or world peace.
Activism has played a major role in ending slavery, challenging
dictatorships, protecting workers from exploitation, protecting the
environment, promoting equality for women, opposing racism, and many
other important issues. Activism can also be used for aims such as
attacking minorities or promoting war which may be considered as the
bad face of the activism and may lead to terrorism and other militant
form of activism.
India has successfully celebrated Democracy for 62 years, from the time
of adoption of the Constitution. Today it has reached the pinnacle of its
limits. Democracy has provided ample space for the growth, development
and especially acted as the vent to the grievances of the public. What
ever be the problem faced since Independence, the elected
representatives have been able to handle without allowing any part of the
country to be separated.
We have faced the threats of separatism (J & K and North eastern states),
communalism (Hindu- Muslim), financial crisis (1991)and not to forget
the threats from our neighbours(Pakistan and China) and still managed
to survive still as a single whole(with the help of democracy).
But today, we will witness the real test on the sustainability of the
Democracy itself; will it be able to withstand the pressure which is
generated due to corruption?
Since 1950 till date, we have seen Political activism which has
remained throughout. During the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, we saw the
rise of the political activism and it enjoyed the people's confidence.
During the period when Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister, the
political activism went beyond the limits of the constitution and it was
time for someone to step up to maintain the equilibrium of democracy
and stop it from reaching Fascism. Then came the Judicial Activism, in
the case of Keshvananda Bharthi in year 1971-72 and coined a new term
" Basic structure of the Constitution" , which demised the supremacy of
the Parliament.
We have had dark hours of Judicial Activism in the time of the emergency
where the fundamental rights were not honored to the citizens. But later,
we have seen the growth of Judiciary, in terms of suo motto, Public
interest Litigation, ordering the Executive of the government in the case
of failure, even question the basis of appointment of higher officials etc.
The Political had got the head start in the activism race and hence
Judiciary has not been able to yet make and relative political reform.
In 1990's we have seen the strong wind in the Electoral reforms or we
can term it as the Electoral activism under the eminent leadership of the
then Chief Election Commissioner, T N Seshan. Though he was able to
make some relative changes in the election process, he was unable to
sweep the corruption out. After his tenure, though the Election
commission has lost its charm, it is making a lot of recommendations for
improvement but has not got enough support form the political
representatives.
Again the politics survived another bullet. How long would the Politics
continue without the required reforms to keep the corruption at the
minimum?
I believe we are getting closer to that day, where we will have the politics
at the mercy of the people and the constitutional institutions. I might
have been harsh by using the word "mercy", but the government has to
work and provide the services to the people as per the people's
requirement and not as per the wish of the of few lobbyists.
But the question is, can it be possible to have a state with Citizen centric
administration when the politics has taken the top seat and is not willing
change? Yes, it is possible, because today we have seeing multiple
activism though not working together. They all have the credibility of the
people and the some are enshrined in the constitution.
We have the Judicial Activism still active questioning the government at
all fields’ recent ones to name few are a) in the food grains rotting and
distribution to the BPL b) in the black money which has been laundered
from the country c) in the appointment of the Central vigilance
commission and many more.
Besides this, today we have Media Activism, Civil Society activism,
CAG activism, Lokayukta activism which is getting on to the nerves of
the politics to get the political reforms to be in place.
Media has been very active in all the cases and having continuous
debates which is keeping the citizens informed. Besides this, it is also
getting active in getting into the field of investigation to get to the
bottom of the issue.
Civil society has been there for a long time, but today has reached the
pinnacle under Anna Hazare, who is determined to fight the government
with an all-out effort for the political reforms.
CAG activism is something new because until recently it was just an
agency which making sure the financial audits. But today has started to
make reports on the performance audit, which has made a remarkable
impact in cases like 2 G spectrum, CWG, KG basin, etc. But is has
limitation as it is not a prosecuting agency. But nevertheless has made a
remarkable impact.
We recently saw that just a lokayukta report and the civil society activism
made the CM of Karnataka Mr Yedurappa resign his post and is making
remarkable effort against the corruption in the states.
Such efforts can only be made in democracy, unlike riots or civil war in
the authoritarian states.
Any how these efforts of the above institutions are surely going to make a
difference to the make the balanced state which is citizen oriented.
We have representative parliamentary democracy leaving the decision-
making to a small group of elected representatives. This could result in
government ‘of ’ the people becoming a government ‘off ’ the people.
Progressive marketisation of traditional government functions has
widened this gap. There is a gap between the not-so-efficient state and
the profit-alone-matters private sector which needs a third sector to
bridge it. This is how civil society is seen today and to achieve the
desired effect beneficial to the common people activism in various forms
emerged.
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