India started with universal adult suffrage in 1950 and over the decades there has been democratic pressure for rapid and full inclusion of all sections in the mainstream. Other democracies started with equality and conceded affirmative actions as a concession to realities.
India asserted the goal of equality but incorporated enabling affirmative actions in the constitution for a specific period – which has been extended from time to time by common consent. Thus, democracy has taken roots in India essentially because of, what Stephen Cohen calls, the genius of Indian people for political accommodation and management.