PROTESTS-INDICATIVE OF UNREST: VANITA SRINIVAS

India is the largest democratic republic. The Government is by the people, for the people and of the people. The constitution bestows us with rights to freedom, freedom of religion, right to equality, education, culture and right against exploitation and above all a right to constitutional remedies.
The functions of the government can be grouped into three categories; to make laws, to execute them and to adjudicate them. Of the three organs of the government, the place of primacy belongs to the Legislature, which is responsible for law-making and is followed up by law-enforcement, which done by Executive and finally the adjudication functions are vested in the Judiciary the third organ of the Government. In India all amendment can be initiated only in the legislature. The executive not only ensures observation of laws and regulations but also leads the legislature. It gives a direction to the nation. The importance of the judiciary in a democracy is of utmost supremacy. Judiciary administers justice and also protects the rights of the citizens and it acts as the interpreter and guardian of the constitution. It has the powers to invalidate laws and decrees which are not constitutional.
Despite having a foolproof system in place it has been observed that protests are inevitable. Recently we have seen an upsurge in protests in India. Students commit suicide in protest. As a protest group of ladies forcefully enter restricted areas in some temples. Army officials protest for one rank one pension pattern. Aggrieved students protest against the changed examination pattern. The list is endless.
Public protests are a form of communication to demonstrate a strong objection or disapproval against a system or a Policy of the Government or a prevalent practice in the Society. Protests are exhibits of public sentiments. Protests will follow all traits of sentiments. Just like sentiments the protests will be polarized either as positive or negative. The will also showcase feelings of anger, happiness, disgust, sorrow, aggression, which are very similar to individual sentiments. The nature of protests often defines the maturity level of the populace. A silent and organized protest connotes the sensibility of the protestors. On the other hand a phrenetic, disorganized or a frenzied crowd signals two aspects, either the masses have lost faith in the democratic framework or the people are yet to come of age to understand the true power of democracy.
The raising educational standards have increased the expectation of the general public. The globalization has changed the perception. The government needs to understand the sentiments of public and make necessary changes in its machinery.