Often on many discussion boards or on other blogs there is a oft expressed setiment – Democracy cannot be for every one. It can only be for those who are like “us”. I saw many of these sentiments expressed after the NDA defeat in India. I am sure that these will again resurface if elections are held in Iraq and a fundamentalist government is voted into power. Yet, this is a price that we pay for Democracy. The majority decides and the will of the majority prevails and rules. The minority has a voice – but it does not have power. It has protection of the law and the Constitution.

Democracy and Liberty are very binary – it is either freedom for all, or freedom for none. There really is no via media. It cannot be some democracy for some people. And it cannot be freedom for a few. It is like being pregnant. You cannot be somewhat pregnant. Similarly you can’t be somewhat democratic.

Today amongs the many wonderous (and non wonderous) things that i get into my in-box was a news letter from Human Rights Watch. It was about this incredible 70 year old doctor from China – Dr. Jiang Yanyong – who exposed the Chinese government’s cover up of the SARS epidemic. He along with his wife, Dr. Hua Zhongwei, have been detained at the Chinese Government’s pleasure. Dr.Jiang was also an ardent critic of the Tiananmen Square Massacre – where the Chinese Government mowed down its own students for protesting for freedom.Wonderous because even in the most repressive of regimes a voice that speaks the truth stands out. A cry for freedom can still be heard. And there are enough people in the rest of the world to care.

There are many who believe that India is screwed because of its Democracy. I would say that the reason we are going to survive and make it – is because of the Democracy and a respect for pluralism. I might rant and rave about a Narendra Modi or a Pravin Togadia– but to even think of getting them banned is unthinkable. Even though I know they may not accord those like me the same consideration if they came to power. A Satyendra Dubey, as a whistle blower might lose his life – but there is a hue and cry about it. A free press screams murder, ordinary people are moved from inaction. Foundations are set up and donations pour in to make sure that it never again happens. A Gujarat happens, and again the samething. A hue and cry. Outrage. The Supreme Court intervening to see justice is done. Can we see things like that in Chinaor a Sudan or even a Russia.

This freedom to express, to be, to stand up and be counted, or just take it easy, to protest or to sing, to do nothing – comes with a price tag. That price tag is freedom for all. We may not like the choice of the majority, but we had better learn to respect it – because it is this respect that will ensure that our time will come – 5 years later or at a state election or even at a local government one – where we cast our votes and cast out those who are not favoured.

The system is still deeply flawed but unless someone comes up with something better – it is the best there is.