The Ruckus in Parliament: A National Shame

(Parliament’s Winter Session 2024 exposed a national disgrace, marked by disruptions, low productivity, and lost public trust in democratic governance)

The recent behaviour of Members of Parliament, especially opposition members, during the Winter Session 2024 of the Indian Parliament has cast a shadow of disgrace over the nation. Such conduct erodes the public’s trust in the democratic system and leaves the younger generation, aspiring for greater opportunities, deeply disillusioned with the functioning of this vital institution.

The Winter Session of Parliament, held from 25 November to 20 December 2024, saw Lok Sabha functioning for only 52% of its scheduled time and Rajya Sabha for a mere 39%. Week-on-week productivity figures reveal a dismal performance (Courtesy: PRS Legislative Research).

Tragically, only one Bill was passed in the first six months of the current Lok Sabha—the lowest in the past three decades.

While one notable achievement was the extensive discussion on the Constitution (16 hours in Lok Sabha and 17 hours in Rajya Sabha), key parliamentary tools like Half-an-Hour Discussions, Private Members’ Bills, and Question Hours were not utilised effectively. Instead, repeated disruptions, primarily by the opposition demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Adani issue and later protesting remarks by the Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, dominated the session.

For civil society, it appeared as though opposition leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were not serious about the sanctity of parliamentary proceedings. Their approach often seemed more reminiscent of college-level antics than mature statesmanship. Disturbingly, there were physical altercations at the entrance of the House, culminating in an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly assaulting a senior BJP member. Concurrently, the BJP highlighted alleged connections between the Gandhi family and George Soros, further fuelling tensions. The opposition also filed a no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chairman, an unprecedented move in independent India’s history.

A Failure of Leadership and Vision

PreSense strongly condemns this irresponsible behaviour. Opposition parties' actions hinder the functioning of Parliament, disillusion the public, and alienate the youth from democratic institutions. As Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi must seek guidance from senior party leaders to address critical public issues such as inflation, unemployment, law and order, GST, and education. Shouting about tangential matters like Adani and selectively citing historical grievances serves no one and risks alienating the electorate further.

The opposition’s campaign against Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr Ambedkar has inadvertently backfired. Shah’s speech highlighted how Congress historically sidelined Dr Ambedkar, prompting widespread public interest in the lesser-known aspects of his struggles. Articles have surfaced detailing the Congress’s treatment of Dr Ambedkar, including his defeat in the first general elections, the humiliation he faced during his lifetime, and the indifference shown to his family after his demise. It is worth noting that Dr Ambedkar was eventually elected to the Rajya Sabha with the support of Jan Sangh, BJP’s predecessor, countering Congress’s efforts to thwart him.

Shared Accountability for Parliamentary Functioning

While the opposition’s immaturity is evident, the ruling party must also bear responsibility for ensuring Parliament functions effectively. The BJP, during its years in opposition, too disrupted proceedings and now seems content with the chaos, as it deflects attention from pressing national issues. By exploiting the opposition’s lack of strategy, the ruling party escapes accountability on critical matters.

A Call for Collaborative Governance

PreSense appeals to both the ruling and opposition parties to rise above partisan politics and work together to restore faith in India’s democratic institutions. Parliament must function as a platform for constructive dialogue and meaningful debate, addressing the nation's aspirations and concerns. The onus is on our leaders to inspire confidence, particularly among the youth, and to uphold the dignity of the world’s largest democracy. Let us hope that the lessons from this dismal session catalyse a renewed commitment to responsible governance in the sessions to come.

Graphics courtesy: PRS Legilsative Research

(Source: This article was published in the Dec 2024 edition edition of Presense)