Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 15: Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice N Santosh Hegde, lamented at the plummeting democratic values in the present-day political system, which looks like a mockery of democracy. He was delivering the keynote address at a special programme on the subject, ‘Bringing Accountability Through Democratic Institutions and Power’ organized at the old senate hall of Mangalore University on Tuesday September 14.

The programme was organized under the aegis of Mangala Old Students Association and Mangalore University.

“Proceedings in democratic institutions like the legislative assemblies, legislative councils, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, are not being conducted as desired by the creators of the constitution. The proceedings in these forums should be positive, and should always aim at strengthening the democratic system as stipulated in the constitution, for the general welfare of the society. But things are not so now,” he noted. He gave examples of the muscle power and verbal duels that were witnessed at the assembly session in the state recently over illegal mining, and the demonstration organized by the opposition in the state assembly by remaining there for four days, at the same time, having sumptuous food and making merry. “Is this the kind of democracy we wanted to showcase?” he questioned.

He opined that the government officials, leaders of political parties and social leaders have not been adapting well to the democratic system that was created by them and for them.

University chancellor, Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, presided. Karnataka Bank non-executive chairman, Anantakrishna, university registrar, Prof Chinnappa Gowda, Dinesh Kumar Alva, Sainath Malligemadu etc were present.