HT Bureau
Guwahati, April 11: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said democratic values are “integral part of the Indian way of life”.
“Democratic institutions have been flourishing in India since ancient times and our reforms exemplified the true democratic values and traditions which have continued in our society ever since,” he said while addressing the 8th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (India Region) Conference here on Monday.
In modern democracies, Sarma said people expect a lot from elected representatives.
“People want the lawmakers to be their voice, which bestows responsibilities on them to address the fundamental issues affecting people’s lives as well as fulfilling their dreams and aspirations,” he said.
Dr. Sarma said that to make democracy a guiding force in the polity, the ancient Indians coined the terms Sabha and Samiti, which represented two democratic institutions of the bygone era.
“Both these institutions were mentioned in Rig Veda and Atharva Veda. In these institutions, decisions were made after the discussion with the king, ministers and scholars at that time,” he said.
Dr. Sarma said that democratic tradition was evident in Assam in the days of Ahom rule also.
“Though the king, who was called Swargadeo, was the head of the state, all decisions were taken by him only in consultation with the ministers, which initially consisted of Buragohain, Borgohain and Borpatra Gohain,” he said.
He further underlined the rich heritage and democratic practices of Assam Legislative Assembly and said that over the years the state Assembly “unceasingly raised the voice of the voiceless, stood with the weakest among the weak, debated all important issues with zeal and zest and steered the state through thick and thin”.
