'Indian democracy's success a tribute to wisdom and maturity of our people': Ansari

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Wednesday said the success of Indian democracy is a tribute to the wisdom and maturity of the people.

"Much has been said, and written, about our democracy. It has taken deep roots, has succeeded against considerable odds, and has been described as a political miracle. This success is a tribute to the wisdom and maturity of our people. That same maturity allows us to assess its performance in terms of the generally accepted bench marks relating to its elective, deliberative, and governance aspects," he said, while addressing a special sitting of the Kerala State Assembly on the occasion of 125th anniversary of the first legislative proceedings in the state.

Vice President Ansari said the purpose of a legislative body is to deliberate, legislate, and seek accountability from the executive, and added that the records of the sessions of the Kerala legislative assembly indicate that this has been done in adequate measure.

"This is a tribute to the commitment of generations of legislators, to the political awareness of the electorate and to their adherence to the principles of parliamentary democracy," he said.

Vice President Ansari further said that another characteristic of Kerala's political scene is its adherence to the classic pattern of two political combinations, and added that this is at variance with the fragmentation in evidence in many other states as also in the Centre.

"And, of course, mention must be made of Kerala's record of progressive legislation and its impressive, very impressive, achievements in the fields of education and health. Located in the south-western corner of the country, Kerala can be looked up to as a model in many areas of national activity," he added.

He expressed his concern with the institution of legislatures, not so much with the powers and functions bestowed on them by the Constitution as with the modalities of their actual functioning.

Vice President Ansari also said, "As a mature democracy and in a world increasingly characterized by globalization of standards, we should take note of global assessments of our performance."

"A survey done last year gave us a rating of 9.58 on electoral process and pluralism, 9.41 for civil liberties, 7.50 for functioning government, 6.11 for political participation and 5.0 for political culture. The survey gave Indian democracy an overall score of 7.52 and a global ranking of 38," he added.