The Anna Hazare-related events bring the issue of dissent in democracy to the fore again. Ironically, the venue where Anna Hazare was prevented from fasting is named after Jayaprakash Narayan who fought for restoration of civil liberties abridged during the Emergency 1975-1977.The people who call Anna’s fight a second freedom struggle may well show the courtesy of saying that it is the third, (if they must say so) as the anti-emergency struggle was widely acclaimed as the second freedom struggle. The Indian voter threw off the yoke of authoritarianism at the first opportunity through the ballot box.Basic civil liberties are not available free even now. Dissenters often face the strong arm of the state. Though scope and aim of Anna’s movement is debatable, the state’s reaction has sidestepped this and brought to the fore the right to dissent in a democracy. Parliament is undoubtedly supreme in a democracy, but it is granted by the will of the people. When legislative bodies ignore popular will, anger can be expressed through the ballot box. But in the interregnum, silence cannot be the golden rule.Peaceful protests have to be accommodated in a democracy. On issues of national interest why not allow Members of Parliament to vote according to conscience rather than issue a whip.In the 1980s, the move to bring back capital punishment by Mrs. Margaret Thatcher in Britain was defeated in the House of Commons despite the Conservative Party having a majority in parliament. Holding of the Swiss-style referendum on important issues can also be considered. Political parties also needs more internal democracy.Citizens will flock to the people who lead protests unless there is more confidence-building measures in a democratic set-up. Faith in the legislative process needs to be built and not preached. One silver-lining is the support received for right to dissent and peaceful protests. The fearful silence of the Emergency period, commented as ‘’Not even a dog barked’’ is not holding good now. Democratic values are indeed taking deeper roots. But the struggles for basic rights also need to find a place in the arena of protests for dissent more broad based. (The writer is a researcher in issues of Federal Polity in India)
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