Question

Explain the following concept.

Right-based approach

Answer 1

Since 2000, the approach towards democratic reform has evolved to be right-based. Democratic reforms are necessitated as the ‘rights’ of the citizen, instead of being approached as a part of the Directive principle of State policy. Citizens can take the government to court in case their ‘rights’ are not met, and thus, this change in approach has strengthened our democracy and made the government. more accountable to the public. People now have the Right to Information, Right to Food, Right to Education and thus are more participative in the democratic processes.

Answer 2

1. In the decades after independence, efforts were made towards the democratisation of India.
2. In this process, citizens were considered ‘beneficiaries’ of reforms.
3. In the last few decades, this approach has changed, and the democratic reforms that lead to development are considered the ‘rights’ of citizens.
4. Accordingly, citizens in India have the Right to Education, the Right to Information, and the Right to Food Act.