Hindu Editorial Analysis : 12-December-2024

India, often hailed as the world’s largest democracy, has recently witnessed a worrying decline in the standards of its parliamentary functioning. This decline is evident in various aspects such as the quality of debates, the productivity of legislative work, and the general decorum in Parliament. These disruptions have raised concerns about the erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. In the winter session of 2024, for example, over 32% of scheduled parliamentary time was lost due to disruptions. Similarly, in the Budget session of 2024, the Lok Sabha functioned for only 45% of its scheduled time, and the Rajya Sabha operated for a mere 31%. This decline in parliamentary productivity and order is a matter of growing concern for the future of democracy in India.

Major Causes of Disruptions

There are several reasons behind the increasing disruptions in Parliament:

  • Political Strategy: Opposition parties often use disruptions as a tactic to highlight specific issues and to pressurize the ruling government.
  • Lack of Consensus: Disagreements between the ruling party and opposition can lead to deadlocks, hindering the progress of legislative business.
  • Contentious Legislation: Lack of consultation before introducing controversial bills often results in resistance and disputes in Parliament.
  • Demand for Debates: Calls for debates on important issues like economic policies or social justice are often sidelined, which can lead to disruptions when these issues are not addressed.
Key Issues and Their Impact

The ongoing disruptions in Parliament have far-reaching consequences:

  • Erosion of Decorum: Disruptions and unruly behavior by members of Parliament have become all too common. This not only wastes valuable time but also undermines the dignity and reputation of the institution.
  • Decline in Debate Quality: Rather than focusing on important policy discussions, debates often turn into personal attacks and political grandstanding. This shift reduces the effectiveness of Parliament in addressing national concerns.
  • Reduced Legislative Productivity: The quality of legislative work has suffered as more bills are passed without adequate debate or scrutiny. This has raised concerns about the quality of laws being enacted.
  • Underutilization of Committees: Parliamentary committees, essential for scrutinizing legislation, are often bypassed, weakening the checks and balances necessary for good governance.
  • Public Trust: A dysfunctional Parliament erodes public confidence in democracy, tarnishing India’s image both domestically and internationally.
Impact on Policy Making

Disruptions have a direct impact on policy-making. Constructive debates and discussions are necessary to craft well-informed and balanced policies. When disruptions occur, they prevent these crucial discussions, leading to poorly thought-out decisions that fail to address the needs of the public.

Possible Solutions

Several measures can be taken to improve the functioning of Parliament:

  • Strengthening Parliamentary Rules: Stricter rules and penalties for disruptions can help maintain order in the House. For instance, enforcing a Code of Conduct and modifying the Anti-Defection Law could promote better behavior among MPs.
  • Promoting Dialogue: Encouraging open dialogue and consensus-building between the government and opposition can help resolve conflicts before they escalate into disruptions.
  • Public Accountability: Increasing transparency and public accountability regarding MPs’ conduct can discourage disruptive behavior. Public Interest Legislation can also ensure that MPs hear the views of affected citizens.
  • Reforming the Agenda-Setting Process: Changes to how parliamentary agendas are set could prevent any single party from blocking important discussions. Shifting from a consensus to a majority decision could improve the efficiency of the process.
Role of the Opposition

In any democracy, the opposition plays a vital role in holding the government accountable. However, the opposition often resorts to disruptions when they feel marginalized or when their concerns are not addressed. It is crucial for the opposition to strike a balance between constructive criticism and disruptions.

Proposed Measures
  • Mandatory Discussions: Introducing rules that require discussions on motions if a certain number of MPs submit written notices could ensure that critical issues are addressed.
  • Empowering Parliamentary Committees: Strengthening committees would allow for thorough scrutiny of bills, reducing the need for disruptions in the main chambers.
  • Improving Transparency and Communication: Better communication between the government and opposition can help address concerns before they escalate into disruptions.
  • Penalizing Unwarranted Disruptions: MPs who disrupt proceedings without valid reasons should face penalties such as suspension or a reduction in allowances.
  • Increasing Working Days: Ensuring that Parliament meets for a sufficient number of days each year would allow more time for debate and reduce the pressure to disrupt proceedings.
Why In News

Recent trends in parliamentary behavior have raised significant concerns about the decline in standards, with disruptions, disturbances, and commotion in the House undermining the legislative process and eroding public trust in democratic institutions. These ongoing disruptions not only waste valuable time but also tarnish the reputation of Parliament as a space for constructive debate and decision-making.

MCQs about Decline in Parliamentary Standards and Its Impact on Public Trust
  1. What is a major consequence of frequent disruptions in the Indian Parliament?
    A. Improved quality of legislation
    B. Increased productivity of legislative work
    C. Erosion of parliamentary decorum
    D. Strengthened opposition-government relations
    Correct Answer: C. Erosion of parliamentary decorum
    Explanation: Frequent disruptions, walkouts, and unruly behavior by members of Parliament have led to a decline in the dignity and decorum of the institution, wasting time and undermining its effectiveness.
  2. What is one of the key reasons for disruptions in the Indian Parliament?
    A. Increased public participation in debates
    B. Political strategy to pressure the government
    C. A significant increase in legislative productivity
    D. Overuse of parliamentary committees
    Correct Answer: B. Political strategy to pressure the government
    Explanation: Opposition parties often use disruptions as a strategy to highlight specific issues and pressure the government, making political disagreements a key cause of disruptions in the House.
  3. How has the decline in parliamentary productivity impacted legislation?
    A. It has led to more thorough debates on bills
    B. Laws are being passed without adequate debate and scrutiny
    C. Committees are more actively involved in scrutiny
    D. There has been a reduction in the number of bills passed
    Correct Answer: B. Laws are being passed without adequate debate and scrutiny
    Explanation: As a result of increased disruptions, bills are often passed quickly without proper debate or scrutiny, undermining the quality of the legislation being enacted.
  4. Which of the following is a proposed solution to reduce disruptions in Parliament?
    A. Increasing the number of holidays for MPs
    B. Strengthening parliamentary rules and penalties for disruptions
    C. Reducing the number of working days in Parliament
    D. Encouraging MPs to avoid discussions on contentious issues
    Correct Answer: B. Strengthening parliamentary rules and penalties for disruptions
    Explanation: One proposed solution to address parliamentary disruptions is to implement stricter rules and penalties, such as suspensions or reductions in allowances, to maintain order and discourage disruptive behavior.

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