New Delhi: Former Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has cautioned against the rise of religion based political parties in India, describing the trend as unhealthy for a democratic society. He stressed the need for fraternity and equal citizenship as core constitutional values.
Ansari said democracy works on equality among citizens rather than identity markers. He observed that political participation should rest on citizenship alone. He acknowledged that democratic systems permit parties formed around identity, including religious identity. He added that public interest and national interest must guide political choices.
Speaking on representation, Ansari noted a visible decline in Muslim participation in electoral politics. He linked this trend to decisions taken by political parties while selecting candidates. He said equal participation remains essential for democratic health and its absence points to structural gaps.
On parliamentary functioning, Ansari highlighted a steady reduction in the number of sitting days. He said Parliament earlier met for nearly 100 days each year while recent figures show about half of that time. He declined to comment on daily disruptions, stating that limited disruptions fall within parliamentary practice. He underlined the right of the Opposition to speak and critique government actions as part of democratic norms.
Ansari also spoke on foreign policy and global affairs. He described the international environment as complex and said India operates within existing constraints. Referring to Palestine, he said Palestinians face injustice on their own land and deserve rights as a matter of entitlement. He identified Israel as the aggressor and urged recognition of Palestinian rights.
Drawing from his experience as Rajya Sabha Chairman, Ansari compared parliamentary democracy to a game requiring active participation from all sides. He said rules matter and fairness sustains the system.
