Introduction
Equality is an important principle of a democratic government. It means that all citizens are provided with the same status, rights, and responsibilities. In this article, we will know more about equality in a democracy.
Equality in Indian Democracy
Jawaharlal Nehru rightly called Unity in Diversity a great feature of our country. India is a large country with people of different regions, religions, and languages living together. Being a democratic country, all must be treated equally. There is no democracy without equality. So, equal rights are formally given to all. According to our Constitution, the Rule of Law prevails. It ensures that the government treats everyone as equal, irrespective of one's economic, social or political status, caste, color, religion, or gender. Equality is the key feature of democracy. It influences all the other aspects of democracy.
Political Equality
Democracy becomes meaningful only when every citizen is treated equally. The right to vote and participate in elections is an essential feature of democracy. This right was given earlier only to male citizens who owned property. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Suffragette Movement swept through various nations demanding the right to vote for women. The right to vote was granted to women at different times in different countries. In India, we follow the universal adult franchise.
In India, the right to vote was given to the entire adult population irrespective of caste, color, religion, gender, or creed at the time of independence. Only those deemed unsound of mind and people convicted of certain criminal offenses are not allowed to vote.
The universal adult franchise is the basis of modern democracy. Men and women, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, all are treated as equal. Each adult citizen gets one vote to cast, and every vote has the same value. People enjoy the right to elect and remove their rulers. One can even get re-elected. Here the ultimate power lies with the people.
Social Equality
Certain sections of our society have been unable to progress economically and socially. Many have been deprived of education. They need to be provided with opportunities and assistance for development. After independence, some provisions have been included in the Constitution to create social equality and improve discriminated and marginalized sections of the society.
Economic equality
Then, what does economic equality stand for? Everyone cannot have an equal amount of money and similar means of livelihood. Economic equality means that every Indian citizen should be free to seek any form of employment. Equal pay for equal work ensures economic equality.
In India. Bandhua Mazdoor, or the practice of bonded labor, restricts economic freedom. Under this practice, people work without money for lenders to pay off their loans. If they die before paying off their debts, their children have to work to pay them off.
Conclusion
We want to live in an equal world, and everyone is treated equally. Democracy is the only form of government in which people are free to express their views.
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