Democracy
without discipline is a body without soul. If there is no discipline in the
country, democracy will degenerate into a Mobocracy i.e. a Government by the
unruly crowd. In fact, in Greek language ‘Demos’ which means crowd. The cracy
is a from the Greek word ‘Kratia’ or ‘Cratos’
which means power. Perhaps, lack of discipline in democracy will justify
Plato’s criticism that democracy is the divine right of the ignorant people to
rule ignorantly.
It
is true that democracy is based on the free will of the people who are supreme
and sovereign. But this does not mean that democracy grants absolute liberty to
the people to do anything . Under this mistaken belief, some people misuse
their rights and liberties . Not only that some people also think wrongly that
in a democracy that they have only the rights but no duties . These people do not
know that the rights and duties go hand in hand tighter.
No
doubt, under a democratic form of government, the people enjoy the freedom to
elect their representatives in accordance with their wishes at the time of
election. Even after the election , they can always make their views on various
issues known to government through
press, radio, T.V. But they must air their grievances through constitutional
and non-violent means. If the people take the law into their own hands and
become violent, they will neither deserve democracy nor can they make a success
of it.
Everything
is fair in love and war but it is not so in a democracy . Democracy calls for a
high degree of discipline , respect for the views of others and unflinching
faith in equality, fair play and justice. According to Mahatma Gandhi,
democracy does not simply the grant of right and their enjoyment. If the
people want to enjoy their rights they must be prepared to perform their duties
as well.
We
find that in the world only those countries whose people are disciplined have
made progress and achieved greatness. Although the economy of Japan and Germany
were completely shattered during the Second World War, they were able to
rebuild their countries due to the dedicated work of their disciplined citizens.
They have achieved great success in science, technology and industry. But for
the sense of discipline in their people, they would not have been able to achieve
such success. Both Japan and Germany are democratic countries. They have, by
their example, shown to the world that if democracy and discipline go hand in
hand, countries can make great progress.
On
the other hand, if a country lack discipline , it is bound to be doomed and eventually
replaced by a dictatorship. The people will then lose their freedom of thought
and action. They will have to carry out the orders of the dictator . They will
have no say whatsoever in the administration of the country.
Only
in those democratic countries which are inhabited by disciplined people, the
citizens can enjoy the fruits of democracy. For example, in Switzerland, people
are so disciplined and hardworking that
they have become prosperous by dint of their disciplined and industrious
temperament.
In
Nepal, we have experimented various kinds of government. Democratic as of now –
elected head, Monarchy republic during Late King Birendra Shah, monarchy during
ancient, medieval and post former King Gyanendra Shah. Since democratic
movement of 2006, we have rightly adopted an elected democratic form of
government. Though in time span, it has yielded nothing and brought nothing,
but still future of democracy is bright in our country. It is now up to us, the
people of Nepal, to imbibe the spirit of discipline and make democracy a grand
success. For this, we should make a beginning by teaching discipline to our children
in the home itself and laying stress on it in the school and colleges of the
country, because the children of today are the future citizens of our country. If
they taught discipline today, then tomorrow then can be disciplined citizens
and make our country strong, united and powerful.
Now
a days we are hearing about over many indiscipline and lawlessness act in part
of country by certain vested interest who are guided and inspired by certain inimical
foreign powers. These misguided and undisciplined people do not know what a
great harm they are causing to the stability of our country by their
secessionist acts. They should remember that stability of Nepal is the
stability of their own life.
Therefore,
it is foremost duty of all citizens of Nepal to be disciplined, to protect the
democratic set up our country .Only with discipline and democracy we can uphold
our heads high in times to come.
