The recent session of the Indian Parliament was marked by significant disruptions and a lack of productive debate, reflecting a deepening acrimony between the government and the Opposition.
The decline in parliamentary standards and civility is also attributed to diminishing public expectations of parliamentarians, focusing less on legislative performance and more on local political influence.
The current government appears to disregard Parliament's role as a deliberative body, undermining democratic principles and treating it as a mere procedural formality for its decisions.
Disruptions in Parliament
The recently concluded winter session of Parliament was marred by competitive disruptions from both the Opposition and the Treasury benches, leading to frequent adjournments and minimal productive discussions. This has resulted in a sentiment of disappointment among the public, as significant work was left undone. The chaotic state was exacerbated by altercations between Members of Parliament, which are seen as a betrayal of the institution's democratic ideals. The current situation has not improved from past practices, and despite attempts by Speakers like Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla to manage the disruptions, the acrimony between the government and the Opposition has worsened, leading to an environment where mutual trust and civility are absent. The government's lack of willingness to cooperate with the Opposition further aggravates the issue.
Erosion of Parliamentary Norms
The decline in parliamentary standards and the public's diminished expectations contribute to the ongoing issues. In the past, skilled debaters and orators held significant sway, but today there is a disconnect between electability and parliamentary performance. MPs are often more focused on local political influence rather than national legislative debates, and the quality of representation negatively impacts the quality of discourse in Parliament. The government's apparent contempt for the legislative process further diminishes Parliament's role, as it is increasingly treated as a formality rather than a deliberative body. This shift has severe implications for the health of democracy, as Parliament is being robbed of its value and significance.