State of India’s Parliamentary Proceedings

Source: This post on State of India’s Parliamentary Proceedings has been created based on “The sorry state of India’s parliamentary. State of India’s Parliamentary Proceedings ” published in The Hindu on 2^ND January 2025.  

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS-2 Parliament and State Legislatures

Context: The article offers a critical analysis of the current state of India’s parliamentary functioning and its implications for democracy.

What was the state of the recent winter session of Parliament?

1. The winter session was marked by frequent adjournments, minimal discussions, and negligible work accomplished.
2. Competitive disruptions by both the Opposition and the Treasury benches made the session a travesty.
3. A new low was reached with duelling demonstrations on the steps of Parliament, leading to accusations of assault and injury on both sides.
4. The session ended with widespread disillusionment, as many felt the legislature had failed the people of India.

What are the reasons behind the decline in Parliament’s functioning?

1. Precedent of Disruptions

• Disruptions have become normalized as part of Indian parliamentary practice.
• Past Speakers like Somnath Chatterjee were reluctant to enforce strict rules for fear of being labeled undemocratic.
• Expelling unruly MPs was avoided, even by subsequent Speakers like Meira Kumar, who sought all-party consensus before taking such steps.

2. Acrimonious Relations Between Government and Opposition

• Historically, a sense of civility existed between government and Opposition, with instances of mutual respect, such as Jawaharlal Nehru’s courtesy towards Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Presently, both sides treat each other as enemies rather than adversaries, eroding trust.
• The ruling party now condemns disruption, a tactic it extensively used when in Opposition.
• A “tit-for-tat” mentality pervades, reflecting the golden rule of Indian politics: “Do unto them what they did unto you.”

3. Diminished Public Expectations

• Earlier, skilled orators and debaters commanded respect for their parliamentary performances.
• Today, electability depends more on constituent services and local political influence than parliamentary skills.
• MPs are now evaluated based on party loyalty and disruptive tactics rather than reasoned debate.

How has the quality of parliamentary representation changed over time?

1. Skilled debaters like Ram Manohar Lohia and George Fernandes once acquired prominence through their contributions in Parliament.
2. Modern MPs prioritize television appearances over parliamentary debates.
3. Performance in Parliament no longer affects re-election prospects, leading to a decline in the quality of representation.

What are the consequences of these trends for Indian democracy?

1. Parliamentary standards have been declining for generations, with disruptions replacing debates.
2. The legislature’s diminishing importance erodes the democratic process, reducing Parliament to a mere formality.
3. The loss of Parliament as a consultative body could ultimately weaken Indian democracy itself.