Do movements and protests in a country strengthen democracy? Justify your answer with examples.

In the whole world movements and protest are considered a part of democratic system. Movements and protest in peaceful manner strengthen the democratic system. But some critics of movements and protests are of a view that collective actions i.e., strikes, dharna, bandh and demonstrations, etc., disrupt the functioning of the government, delay in decision- making and destabilise the routines of democratic system.

Effective representation to different groups and their demand are ensured by popular movements and protests. Involvement of different groups in popular movement has broadened the participation of masses in a democratic system.

The studies of popular movement are very helpful in understanding the nature of democratic politics. These movements have proved very helpful in solving some problems of party-politics and thus these movements should be seen as an integral part of our democratic life.

Generally in these movements socially backward people and sections of the society participates or someone else on their behalf to readdress their grievances. These people have no voice in routine working of the democracy hence their voice can be put aloud through these movements.

In the interest of masses democratic politics requires a broad alliance of different disadvantage social groups. But under leadership of these movements such an alliance is not developing. Political parties are required to play an effective role in bringing the different social group together under common leadership. But in reality political parties are not playing proper and effective role because the relationship between popular movements and political parties has grown weaker over the years. At present, it is one big problem of Indian politics.