JAN CHAUKIDAR PEOPLES WATCH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) India's claim that it is the world's largest democracy is not a statement which can be made with pride for all times to come. Unless some factors are checked, and immediately, this will become a hollow claim, because the contents of democracy are beginning to be eroded.

(2.) This is election time, all over the nation. Reporting in both print and broadcast media reveal; how this democracy is functioning. The election in Bihar has come in for much comment. If there is any serious critic who may say that the atmosphere is principled and ideal and all the voters came to vote, then these proceedings must be dropped. But is this the case?

(3.) The pulse of the people in a Democracy is the free press, and this election has been given a gruesome face by the Press. This Court has noted reports from the period, when the elections were announced. From then until today there has been brutality, violence and death. Death by violence seems a mundane exercise. The tragedy is only felt by the family who has lost a member. The obligation of this state of prevent this violence is conspicuous by its absence. But the newspapers, and particularly the Hindi Press, show the face of Bihar, and ordinary people have to interface with this face. Ordinary citizens must face this atmosphere to exercise their democratic right to vote.