Importance of Abiding by the Parliamentary Processes

Source: The Hindu

Gs2: Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.

Synopsis: Following the Democratic Parliamentary Process is more important than enforcing the will of the majority.

Background

• Nearly 20 Opposition parties boycotted the recent (2021) President’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament.
• Further, the Opposition is planning to move a joint motion demanding a repeal of the three Farm laws in the coming Budget session of Parliament.
• The boycott is indicative of the worsening relationship between the government and the Opposition.
• The last time the Opposition boycotted the President’s Address was in November 2019 during the celebration of the Constitution Day.
• Regarding the Farm Bill, the President said that the government will keep the farm Bills on hold as per a Supreme Court directive. But the speech had no indication of reconsideration of the laws.

What is the way forward?

• Government should follow the democratic route of getting Parliamentary approval for Ordinances. Because democratic processes are more important than enforcing the will of the majority.
• The ordinances promulgated during the pandemic time should be put in front of Parliament for detailed discussion.
• Though, the government has advantages over the Opposition, in terms of the numerical strength in both Houses of Parliament. But a democracy cannot be run alone by the executive, without any accountability. Parliament and opposition function as a check on the powers of the executive.

The government needs to hold the high standards that India has set for itself as a democracy. Hence, Discussion, Debate, Deliberation should be the way forward.