Fear of Government Turns Democracy into Authoritarianism, Says Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar

D K Shivakumar Warns Against Governance Through Fear

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said democracy risks turning into authoritarianism when people become afraid of their government. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru to mark World Democracy Day, he emphasised that democratic governance requires governments to respect citizens and protect their rights.

Shivakumar said democracy should not be viewed merely as the right to vote. According to him, citizens must also have the right to live with dignity and participate meaningfully in public life.

Democracy Goes Beyond Elections

The Karnataka Chief Minister stressed that elections and voting are important components of democracy, but they do not represent its entire meaning. He linked a healthy democracy with people's dignity, equal opportunities and participation in governance.

He also called for greater opportunities for young people to enter public life, beginning at the panchayat level and extending to state and national politics.

Shivakumar Highlights India's Democratic Tradition

During his address, Shivakumar referred to India's long democratic traditions and specifically mentioned the 12th-century Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan in Karnataka.

He said the institution represented principles of equality and participation. Shivakumar recalled visiting the historic site shortly after becoming chief minister.

'A Leader Creates Leaders, Not Followers'

Shivakumar also spoke about his own experiences with student elections and political participation. He said attempts had been made to prevent him from participating in school and college elections, but he continued to encourage and support emerging leaders.

He emphasised the importance of creating future leaders rather than simply building followers, while advocating disciplined elections and greater political opportunities for young people.

Voting Rights and Electoral Roll Revision

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He claimed that around one crore voters could potentially lose their voting rights, while around 47 lakh people had been given an opportunity to reclaim those rights.

He said the Karnataka government had decided to provide residential and income certificates to eligible citizens to help them protect and exercise their voting rights. Shivakumar stressed that nobody should lose the right to vote because of political affiliation or social status.

Power Belongs to the People

Shivakumar described himself and other political leaders as public servants rather than owners of the political system. He said power ultimately belongs to the people and that elected representatives are accountable to citizens.

His remarks came as part of a broader appeal to strengthen democratic participation, protect individual rights and ensure that government institutions remain responsive to the people.

Conclusion

D K Shivakumar's World Democracy Day address focused on the relationship between citizens and government. His central message was that democracy depends not only on elections but also on dignity, participation, equal opportunity and citizens' freedom from fear. According to the Karnataka Chief Minister, respect between governments and citizens is essential to prevent democratic systems from becoming authoritarian.