The Indian parliamentary system reflects the collective will of the people. Recent trends, evident in the behavior of some members, point to a troubling decline in parliamentary standards. Disruption of the proceedings of the two Houses is only a matter of harming the people’s confidence and trust in the Parliament. Such behaviour, unfortunately, has become common in some state legislatures as well. Blockades, disturbances and strikes can never be a substitute for debate and discussion.
Unruly behavior, constant high-decibel shouting and an overall tone of cynicism and bitterness have eclipsed constructive debate and meaningful discussion in recent years. By rushing to the well of the House, members are not only violating procedural dignity. Such unacceptable behavior militates against democratic governance. The people have voted in favor of a functioning Parliament that will press the socio-economic challenges and issues of national interest and formulate policies accordingly.
Members jumping on their desks, taking papers from the speaker’s table and trying to shout at other members, not allowing the speaker and other seniors to speak, and constant clashes with the presiding officer create a weak perception of the country’s parliament. . Based on my long experience in public life and having seen such depressing scenes in Parliament during my earlier tenure as Speaker of Rajya Sabha, I would like to say that such obstructive behavior is deeply saddening. They wonder what example the elected representatives are setting. Sadly, it appears that many of them are oblivious to the consequences of their actions and have no remorse. Instead of effectively denying accusations or accusations, members shout, interrupt and chant.
The sanctity of the parliamentary debate, which is at the heart of the democratic decision-making process, is declining day by day. We need a deliberative democracy, one that is based on guiding principles of debate, discussion and decision-making, but which does not stifle.
All political parties have a great responsibility as representatives of the people and guardians of democratic values. It is time for them to introspect and begin remedial measures. A collective commitment is needed to uphold the principles of substantive and rational debate, mutual respect and procedural integrity. Consent marked by grace and generosity and parliamentary dignity must replace intransigence and resentment. Marked by a spirit of give and take, on matters of debate and procedure, the dialogue between the Treasury Bench and the Opposition will accelerate the cycle of trust, which is a prerequisite for the effective functioning of Parliament. The government should show willingness to face constructive criticism on its part and welcome objective suggestions from all quarters. Opposition should show more tolerance for people’s mandate.
Hence, there is an urgent need for consensus building across party lines. The adversarial nature of politics inhibits legislative progress. Therefore, there is a need for all parties to work together. I believe that in order for parliamentary democracy to function properly, the government should make proposals, if necessary, the opposition should oppose and the disputed house should be settled at the end. The opposition should take constructive criticism on its part and refrain from using obstructionist tactics to create deadlock. Both the government and the opposition should be committed to building consensus on important issues of national importance.
Political parties should develop a culture of accountability among their members and elected representatives should ensure the dignity of Parliament and State Assemblies. Only then can there be improvement in the quality of parliamentary work which costs crores of rupees to the government exchequer.
The results of the downward slide are all too obvious. People’s confusion towards politics, parliament, state legislature and governance will increase. A large part of the electorate abstained from voting in the general election. This is a worrying sign. Logjams, boycotts and walkouts in parliament and state assemblies increase the confusion of the people.
India, the world’s fastest growing economy, is hailed by the world as a beacon of democratic flexibility and pluralism. A dysfunctional parliament tarnishes its image and stature on the global stage and seriously undermines its leadership role in the international community.
Young people who want to enter politics should prioritize values like integrity, transparency and accountability right from the beginning of their careers. Ethical conduct not only garners public respect but also enhances legal effectiveness. Whichever party they represent, they should emulate eminent MPs of the past like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pilu Modi, Hiren Mukherjee, Minu Masani, Jyotirmay Basu, Bhupesh Gupta and others. Consistently displaying exemplary parliamentary dignity, conduct and ethical conduct, these great parliamentarians set high standards for promoting faith, trust and respect in democratic institutions.
By collectively reaffirming their commitment to decorum and constructive dialogue, political parties can uphold the sanctity of India’s parliamentary democracy and gain the trust and confidence of the electorate. The time has come for the politics of consensus at the national and local levels. The future of Indian democracy depends on the willingness of all political players to rise above differences and divergent views. All stakeholders need to come together to move the nation towards a more inclusive and responsive governance framework.
The author is a former Vice President of India