AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Yes, a democratically elected government can act undemocratically. Democracy is not simply rule by the majority; it must protect minority rights too.
In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese-majority government was elected through democratic elections, but it passed majoritarian laws — making Sinhala the only official language (1956), favouring Sinhalese in jobs and university admissions, and granting Buddhism state protection. These measures systematically denied Sri Lankan Tamils equal political rights, discriminated against them, and alienated them completely. When majority rule becomes rule by a majority community based on religion or language, it ceases to be truly democratic for the minority group.
Source: Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, Chapter 1; Accommodation of Social Diversity, Chapter 5
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The examiner wants you to show you understand the distinction between procedural democracy (free elections) and substantive democracy (protecting all citizens equally). The key textbook principle is: "Rule by majority must not become rule by majority community." Name at least two specific Sri Lankan policies and link them to harm caused to Tamils. Avoid vague statements — cite actual measures like the 1956 language act.