Politics in India

India is a country with millions of people and hundred of different cultural backgrounds. Even with all of the different beliefs and traditions, the country has managed to keep a unified government on both a national and local level. India uses a federal constitutional republic which operates with both a national government and local governments for the states. The national government is in charge of things that affect the country as a whole, such as the national defense, currency, and overruling local governments if needed. The local governments handle things that affect the states. Each state has its own local governing body that's in charge of things like infrastructure, education, and local policies.

Branches of Government

The president of India is the head of the country. He is considered the official leader of India, although he doesn't officiate over every aspect of the local state governments. India also has a prime minister who leads the executive branch of India's government and oversees the administration of each state's local politics. India has a constitution that describes the regulations that govern the existing branches of Indian government.

The legislative branch is run by the Parliament of India. Due to heavy British influence in Indian history, much of India's government represents the British Parliament. The Parliament of India has two sections, the Council of States and the Council of Ministers. The judicial system is similar to the judicial systems of the United States and Great Britain, with the Indian constitution regulating the Supreme Court and those below it, along with the requirements for India's citizens to question the rules and laws of the country. Each state also has its own government, and territories in India are governed by presidential appointed administrators. Each state has its own governor, and the administrators are required to report and answer to the legislators.

Political Parties in India

There are a number of political parties in India, but the two major parties are the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The other smaller parties are the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Communist Party of India, and the Nationalist Congress Party. The different parties exist because of the varied cultures that exist in India. With so many different religions and castes, smaller political parties spring up to further the agenda of small groups who believe they are not represented correctly within the country.

India is not without its political crimes and scandals. Many of the elected leaders have known criminal offenses, including murder, rape, human trafficking, and embezzlement. India is also known for political violence that revolves around the different religious groups or castes. As with any governing body, the Indian government strives to bring peace and cooperation to the whole country through elections and unbiased political decisions.

Tourists to India should check with the Indian Embassy before travelling to ensure that there are no current political upheavals or tensions in the areas they want to travel. India takes the safety of its visitors seriously and will make you aware of any areas that may be dangerous to foreign visitors.