Democracy and illiteracy

Democracy is the only form of government capable of representing people’s wishes and safeguarding
their well-being. However, illiteracy can be rated as its biggest enemy because of its potential of creating
such an environment that not only endangers the very existence of democracy but also deprives it of all
the fruits that are promised by a democratic dispensation. Democracy and illiteracy, certainly and
irrefutably, can never move together.

The fact that can be presented as the very first evidence to prove democracy’s incompatible with
illiteracy is the electorate’s unawareness, which is caused by lack of education. This unawareness leads
to unwise and imprudent decisions at the time of elections and resultantly, the state, despite having a
democratic form of government, remains deprived of the most suitable persons to runs its affairs.

The government of Pakistan should try its hard to bring illiteracy down and promote democratic form of
government. So that people can be rational and aware of their fundamental constitutional rights and
they may understand the modes of life of the modern world. In comparison to other provinces of
Pakistan, Sindh is more vulnerable in literacy rate because of poverty, unemployment, favouritism and
nepotism, and feudalism. The Sindh Government needs to bring a huge change in its prevailing society.
Otherwise the well-being of people of Sindh is impossible.

The people are ignorant about their powers in the democratic set up. Literacy is a pre-requisite for the
efficient functioning of democracy. It makes people conscious of their rights and duties. Illiteracy, in the
words of Gandhiji, is India’s shame and sin. Political parties are engaged in power politics using the
combination of money and muscle.

The hindrances to the functioning of our democracy are communalism, regionalism and the absence of
legal awareness.

Communalism is placing one’s own community above others and sometimes above the nation. The basic
reason for the occurrence of communal riots is the exploitation of communal feelings by vested
interests.

Regionalism is another threat to our democratic functioning. Inhabitants residing in a particular area,
who have a sense of unity and a feeling that they are different from others, express regionalism. This
sense of unity may be based on language, culture or economic interest. The ‘sons of the soil’ policy is
wrong and clearly against the constitutional provisions.

Another thing is that all human activities are controlled by law and everyone should be aware of laws
that regulate his day to day activities. In other words, one should know about his fundamental rights and
duties. Ignorance of law may put us in trouble and it is not at all a defence. So, legal literacy is necessity
in a modern society.

Treatment towards minorities is another challenge facing our democracy. Even though there are
constitutional safeguards for the protection of minorities, both religious and ethic, there still exists fear
among them in some states.

A culture of tolerance and discipline is an asset to the society. The guardians of democracy should be
vigilant. Our elections are influenced by caste, creed, colour and money. Some sorts of restrictions or
qualifications may be fixed for the candidates. Otherwise, the biggest fool will get the highest post and
the country will go some other wandering way.

For the smooth functioning of democracy, there should be an efficient administrative set up. Democracy
means equality, social justice, freedom and rule of law. Unrestricted democracy helps the haves to
exploit the have nots.
 
This does not mean that there has been no progress. Scientific technology has brought about a green
revolution, a white revolution and enabled us to make great steps in the fields of industry, space
research, information technology, automobiles and the atom. Our missiles and satellites are making
their take offs over the hay huts and empty lunch pans of all Indians.

We have to go a long way before we can put into practice the noble ideals of democracy. Most Indians
are still ignorant about their constitutional powers. Proper education is a basic precondition for a
democratic society.