True democracy is based on the concept of human dignity
THIS MONTH’S TOPIC: True democracy is based on the concept of human dignity, and human rights violations pose the biggest threat to it. Comment.
I do think so, because the systematic way of practising democracy is dependent on the respect for human dignity by implementing human rights. However, when human rights are not effectively implemented by the government in the country, it becomes a huge threat to the democratic system of government. In order to keep the strength and stability of a true democracy intact, human dignity and human rights should function as the major pillars that sustain democracy.
Aditya Raj
New Rainbow Public School, Ghaziabad
Democracy is defined as the government of the people, for the people and by the people. But to have a healthy democracy citizens need to be aware of their rights. Human rights violations lead to a faulty way of governing, which in turn leaves society and its people vulnerable to many social evils. True democracy certainly is built on human dignity.
Senjuti Saibal Bhattacharya
A. C. Patil College of Engineering, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
The prime concern of a democratic government should always be the protection of the dignity and rights of its citizens. Rights shield the weak from the torments of the oppressors. Violations of these rights mean that the weak are unable to stand up against injustice and the tyrants get to enjoy colossal powers. The weak must always understand that their silence against violence will debilitate democracy to a point from which revival will be impossible.
Diya Vinod Surjuse (16)
Wardha
Human rights are moral entitlements of every individual, by virtue of the fact that he/she is human. No one — no individual, no government — can take away our human rights. There is no country in the world that has a completely clean record of human rights. There may be more frequent violations in some countries than others or they may affect a larger proportion of the population. Every single violation is something that ought not to have happened, and so needs to be dealt with. An individual whose rights are violated in one of the established democracies can hardly be comforted by the fact that their country has a “better” record of human rights than other countries!
Shweta Mhatre
Joshi Bedekar College, Thane (W), Maharashtra
True democracy is based on the concept of human dignity, which means the rights of a person should be valued and respected for his/her own sake. Human rights violations exist everywhere in the world. To prevent this threat to democracy, we should get involved in the efforts made in our own areas and support human rights initiatives across the world.
Vishakha Keswani (22)
Jaipur
Democracy is active participation of people in the government, where they are also assured of some basic human rights and dignity. Violation of these human rights goes against the true spirit of democracy. And if such violation of human rights occurs in any democratic country, that country cannot be considered truly democratic.
Prakhar Vagrecha (15)
St Anselm’s Sr. Sec. School, Bhilwara, Rajasthan
While human rights protection Acts are increasingly being enacted by governments and international bodies, gross violations of human rights are on the increase. Democracy provides an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedom and in which they can be freely expressed. Human dignity is the foundation of all human rights.
Rashmo Mehta (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna
Democracy is the government formed by the representatives of the people of a nation. The Constitution provides several rights to the citizens of a democratic country, but sometimes the representatives elected by the people themselves violate people’s rights by forming laws which are against the principles of democracy and human dignity and pose a great threat to democracy.
Gursheel Kaur (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar
If democracy is the body, then human rights is the heart that beats to keep the body alive; if it stops, the person ceases to be alive. The same is true in the case of a country. Human rights lead to a liberal and moral-centred country which in turn leads to a vibrant, flourishing economy, free from corruption, personal agendas and prejudices which ultimately result in dictatorship and anarchy.
Samarjeet Malik (17)
The Shriram Millennium School, Faridabad
True democracy gives power to the people. Human rights are the frame of reference for a democracy and if human rights are violated then democracy will no longer remain a democracy. It will turn into a tyranny because respect of human rights is an integral part of a democratic system.
Disha Vig (16)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar
True democracy is a form of government where the laws and policies are made directly by the representatives of the people. It provides an environment that respects human rights, and its violation truly poses a huge threat to democracy because some people even tend to think that in a democracy they are free to violate the dignity and rights some others. In a true democracy, human dignity should be respected and not violated.
Namya Malhotra (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar
The very concept of true democracy is based on the need to preserve human dignity. The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 was an Act meant to ensure that human rights are not violated. We are living in a country where every 5th person’s rights are violated. We as responsible citizens should ensure that everyone gets equal rights and importance irrespective of his/her caste, religion or gender. Mother Teresa rightly said, “Human rights are not a privilege conferred by a government; they are every human being’s entitlement by virtue of his/her humanity.”
Samarth Chawla (16)
St Francis De Sales Sr. Sec. School, Janakpuri, New Delhi
Democracy is supposed to provide an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedom. But when a State fails in its obligation to respect and protect them, violation of economic, social and cultural rights occurs. Often violation of one right leads to violation of other rights, too, which poses the biggest threat to democracy. “Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed with love, and where individuals and nations are free.” (Dalai Lama)
Shrawani Ganesh Bawane (17)
Hinganghat