House Disruptions
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Polity
Source: IE
Context: India’s parliamentary democracy, hailed globally for its vibrancy, faces a serious challenge due to repeated disruptions in legislative proceedings. Such behaviour not only wastes valuable time and resources but also undermines public trust in democratic institutions.
Data on Parliamentary Disruptions in 2024: (*Source:* PRS Legislative Research).
• Winter Session Stalemate:
• Over 32% of scheduled time was lost in disruptions over demands for discussions on controversial bills and governance issues.
• Budget Session Deadlock:
• Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha functioned for only 45% and 31% of their respective scheduled times.
• Frequent Walkouts and Protests:
• Opposition parties staged walkouts 17 times, disrupting key debates, including discussions on unemployment and inflation.
• Decreasing Legislative Productivity:
• Productivity fell below 50% in four consecutive sessions, the lowest in a decade.
Reasons Behind Repeated Disruptions:
• Lack of Consensus: Deep polarization between ruling and opposition parties.
• Contentious Legislation: Absence of pre-legislative consultations leads to resistance.
• Unaddressed Opposition Demands: Inadequate government response to issues raised by the opposition.
• Procedural Violations: Use of unparliamentary behavior like sloganeering and rushing to the well of the house.
Laws Addressing House Disruptions in India
• Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business: Grant presiding officers’ authority to maintain decorum.
• Article 105 (Privileges): Protects MPs’ freedom of speech but not unruly behaviour.
• Code of Conduct for Members: Emphasizes ethical and disciplined behaviour.
• Rule 374(A) of Lok Sabha: Allows for automatic suspension of members engaging in grave misconduct.
Consequences of Parliamentary Disruptions:
• Loss of Public Trust: Erodes confidence in democratic institutions and governance.
• Wastage of Resources: Millions of rupees spent on non-productive parliamentary sessions.
• Missed Opportunities: Delayed or incomplete legislation on pressing socio-economic challenges.
• International Reputation: Diminishes India’s image as a stable democracy.
Way Ahead:
• Consensus-Building: Promote dialogue between ruling and opposition parties to resolve disputes.
• Strict Enforcement: Presiding officers must implement suspension rules for repeated disruptions.
• Ethical Training: Encourage youth in politics to prioritize decorum and accountability.
• Pre-Legislative Consultations: Address opposition concerns before introducing contentious bills.
• Public Awareness: Foster citizen understanding of the consequences of disruptions to increase accountability.
Conclusion:
To uphold India’s democratic ethos, all stakeholders must work collectively to ensure that Parliament becomes a hub of constructive debate and policymaking. Building consensus and fostering respect for parliamentary rules are vital to restoring the sanctity of legislative institutions.
Insta Links:
• Disruption-in-Parliament
• The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof. (UPSC-2017)