Dr. Samani Shashi Pragya
Opposition is backbone of any democratic setup. Now-a-days, however, the opposition acts more to pull down the ruling party, rather than strengthening it. A supporting and balancing role of opposition will create a healthy environment for the entire country. There is a famous saying, “Variety is the spice of life”. Even tastes and ideas differ, from person to person. No ordinary behaviour is identical. There are a number of languages and sects. To keep them all united, democracy follows the principle of equality of fundamental rights. As per the view of Ācārya Mahāprajña, Democracy doesn't divide people on the basis of inequality. On the other hand, it seeks to forge unity among diverse groups on the basis of equality.[1] Democracy means co-existence of rival parties, having totally different outlooks, philosophies and missions. Democracy cannot project a glorious image without balancing the claims of diversity and unity. The philosophical basis of this balancing system is anekānta. Many 'isms' like communism, socialism, communalism and fascism have come into existence and appearing less dominating. Ultimately democracy has survived and India proclaims to stand as a democratic nation.[2] But can this democracy be successful without making people democratic? The need of the hour is to train the citizens to develop anekāntic perspective, as people are not enough trained in it.
Ācārya Amṛtchandra highlighted this view in a metaphorical form. He says, when a milkmaid churns for butter with a rope, one hand is outstretched and releases the same with the other hand. Then the hand behind comes in front and the one in front moves back. Following this order, she is able to extract butter. In this process, one hand sometimes attains primary and the other, secondary position and butter emerges.[3]
The development of democracy also works on the same principle of the primary and the secondary.It is on this basis that relativity has developed. The one who is important will move ahead with reference to others. They can never progress independently or in absolute. They are connected to the leader and the leader keeps them connected to him. Therefore, of all forms of governance, democracy is considered the most effective and stable way, because it is based on the complementing structure of two opposites. This kind of anekāntic view is necessary to be developed in citizens for successful governance of democracy. In democracy, the ruling party takes the objections of opposite party in positive terms. One of the ācāryas has rightly commented on this situation in a Sanskrit śloka:
jīvantu me śatrugaṇāḥ sadaiva yeṣāṁ prasādād vigatajvarohaṁ,
yadā yadā taṁ bhajate pramādāt tadā te pratibodhayanti.
He says that wherever due to laxity, I commit mistake, my opponents make me alert. So let my opponents parties remain healthy and have a long life. Such a blessing can emanate only from the one believing in anekāntic perspective. The existence of opposition is essential for the survival and effective functioning of democracy. To deny opposition, therefore,would mean to deny democracy.In the absence of opposition, democracy certainly loses its lustere, grandeur, credibility and utility. This is our experience and to deny its due place and importance would be suicidal.
