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2 J. Indian L. & Soc'y [i] (2010-2011)

handle is hein.journals/jindlas2 and id is 1 raw text is: EDITORIAL NOTE Public Participation and Accountability: Signs of a Maturing Democracy Over the last few years, the four pillars of our democracy- the legislature, the executive, thejudiciary and the media have been tainted by frequent allegations of corruption and their credibility called into serious question. The cash-for-votes scam, the continuing controversy over 2-G spectrum, Commonwealth Games fiasco, corruption within the rungs of higher judiciary and the Radia tapes episode, collectively mark not just a shameful ebb in Indian politics but also hide a deep crisis of constitutional values and public ethics. Together they present an authoritative challenge to the success of Indian democracy, symbolising the significant challenges of accountability and legitimacy that need to be met. Corruption has truly enveloped the horizons of our public institutions, embedding itself in every office, revealing itself at every file. The vast expanse which corruption commands now must compel us consider these moments seriously as they mask a significant threat to the institution of Indian democracy and the constitutional values that have shaped its unique trajectory. The constitutional values, as envisaged by our founding fathers, of secularism, equality, justice, liberty and human dignity amongst others have endured the first sixty-two years of the Indian Republic. These values have until now remained intact for the most part due to the delicate balance of powers and arrangements of accountability struck in the constitutional design, the commitment of the Indian populace and the contribution of a free and fair Indian press. This balance bears testimony to the ideal of accountability that is critically instrumental in sustaining the spirit of our democracy. Accountability is not an external principle and is embodied in our constitutional scheme of separation of powers. Thus, the demands for the creation of an institution of Lokpal must not be understood as demands for supplanting the existing structure. Any movement that seeks to safeguard accountability must be consistent with constitutional principles else it runs the risk ofundermining the same values it seeks to affirm.

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