Jnanadeepa: Pune Journal of Religious Studies 23/1 Jan-June 2020 Dissent in Democracy, the Demand of the Day: Democracy and Vigilantism: An Analytical Study of Indian Democracy with Reference to Rājadharma in the Manusmrti and Plato's Republic

The public beating and humiliation of Dalits in the name of cow protection in Una, Gujarat; instances of rape and murder of Dalit women, atrocities against minority communities and tribal in different parts of the country reveal the defective understanding of procedural trial and punishment which is the sole prerogative of the state in a democratic country. It may be noted that democracy presupposes divergent opinions and the freedom to disagree but the government has the responsibility to ensure the fundamental principles enshrined in our constitution. But, at present in India, though we claim to be the largest democracy in the world, many of the democratic values are compromised. The author hopes that at the appropriate time people will respond creatively and genuine leaders will emerge to articulate the resentment of the people and to take up on themselves the agony and suffering of the people. To strengthen such a move we need to have the courage to take a stand with the oppressed and the suffering