Indian Democracy

Vol VII, Nos 31–32–33 AUGUST 5, 1972

Tensions are simmering in the union territory of Lakshadweep over a series of anti-people regulations issued by the present administrator. While everyone in the island and their supporters in mainland have been protesting against the draconian proposals, no one is discussing about the role of the deficit in democracy and decentralisation in the islands that led to the present crisis. It is crystal clear that the controversial regulations brought by present administrator of Lakshadweep are not in the best interest of a democratic society.

The graduates of universities eventually fit, by and large, into social positions as solid citizens. This is in spite of the deep uneasiness some of them may continue to have with the society. Many of them continue to translate their disaffection into creative and intellectual expressions within the contours of the existing order. Even the most “radical” of our universities have, over the years, produced multiple times more teachers, researchers, professionals, civil servants, journalists and development workers than they have produced anarchists and revolutionaries.

Democracy in India edited by Niraja Gopal Jayal; Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2001; pp 571, Rs 750

The Everyday State and Society in Modern India edited by C J Fuller and Veronique Benei, Social Science Press, New Delhi, 2000; pp xi + 220, Rs 465.