General elections in India 1977

Abraham Lincoln regarded liberty not only as one of the essentials of democracy, but as the main ingredient of it. "If there is anything which it is the duty of the whole people to never entrust to any hands but their own, that thing is the preservation and perpetuity of their own liberties and institutions." A government is not democratic simply because it is voted into power by the majority. "Democracy," to quote Kennedy, "means much more than popular government and majority rule, much more than a system of political techni ques to flatter or deceive powerful blocs of voters. The true democracy, living and growing and inspiring, puts its faith in the people-the faith that the people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgment faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward

courage, respect honour, and ultimately recognize right." The test of a democratic government is whether it gives rights to its subjects, whether it allows freedom of thought, speech and association to its opponents. If a party brooks no rivals outside it and no dissensions within it, even if it is voted by the electorate, it is undemocratic. For a sound democracy, we require freedom of thought and expression; as also a right to change the government if it misuses the power and works against the interests of its citizens.