(Parliament dysfunction wastes taxpayer money, abandons constitutional methods for "Grammar of Anarchy," threatening India's democratic foundations through systematic institutional vandalism.)
Dr
Ambedkar’s Warning
Dr B.R.
Ambedkar knew exactly what he was doing when he addressed the Constituent
Assembly on 25th November 1949. The chief architect of our Constitution wasn't
merely delivering a speech—he was issuing a prophetic warning to future
generations. His words ring with uncomfortable relevance today: "If we
wish to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, what must we
do? The first thing we must do, in my judgement, is to hold fast to
constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives... where
constitutional methods are open, there can be no justification for these
unconstitutional methods. These methods are nothing but the Grammar of Anarchy,
and the sooner they are abandoned, the better for us."
Today, as
we witness the systematic dismantling of parliamentary decorum, we must ask
ourselves: have we forgotten the very foundation upon which our democracy
stands?
The Sacred
Temple Defiled
Parliament
isn't just another building in New Delhi—it is the sacred temple of our
democracy, where the voices of 1.4 billion Indians converge. Yet what
transpired during the recent Monsoon Session was nothing short of a desecration
of this hallowed institution. For 21 agonising days, the nation watched
helplessly as Parliament was rendered dysfunctional—not by external enemies,
but by a calculated campaign of disruption from within its own walls.
Lok Sabha functioned for 29% of the scheduled time, Rajya Sabha 34%
The
statistics tell a story that should shame every Indian. Two-thirds of
Parliament's precious time was squandered. Crores of taxpayers' money—funds
that could have built schools, hospitals, or roads—were frittered away, on a
daily basis, as the House remained paralysed. This wasn't mere political
posturing; it was a direct assault on the democratic process itself.
The
Anatomy of Democratic Sabotage
The
numbers are as stark as they are shameful. The Lok Sabha functioned for a mere
23% of its Question Hour—the very mechanism through which people's
representatives hold the government accountable. The Rajya Sabha's performance
was even more appalling, managing only 6% functionality during Question Hour.
To put this in perspective: for every 100 minutes allocated for questions that
matter to ordinary Indians, 94 minutes were stolen in the Upper House.
This
systematic sabotage extended to legislative business as well. Of 13 bills
introduced, only 5 were sent to Committees for scrutiny. The remaining 8 were
hurried through amidst chaos and cacophony—a mockery of the deliberative
process that forms the bedrock of democratic governance. This isn't opposition;
it's abdication of responsibility. The
Opposition parties did not even participate in important discussions.
A Pattern
of Irresponsible Leadership
The
current Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi’s, approach reveals a deeply
troubling pattern. Rather than engaging in substantive debate, there appears to
be a preference for creating media spectacles over meaningful discourse. The
track record speaks for itself: unfounded allegations around Pegasus, baseless
claims about the Rafale deal, and unsubstantiated attacks on the Adani group.
Each of these controversies was eventually exposed as hollow, but not before
precious parliamentary time was sacrificed on the altar of sensationalism.
This
irresponsible conduct extends far beyond Parliament's chambers. The courts have
repeatedly been forced to intervene, with the Supreme Court itself recently
reprimanding such reckless statements. When the highest judicial authority in
the land feels compelled to issue warnings, it's time for serious
introspection. Yet the pattern continues unabated, suggesting that judicial
rebukes are falling on deaf ears.
Crossing
All Lines of Decency
Perhaps
the most disturbing manifestation of this casual, non-serious approach occurred
recently in Bihar, where a party leader made vulgar and derogatory remarks
about Prime Minister Modi's deceased mother, a centenarian, who had lived a
century and had absolutely no connection to politics. This wasn't political
criticism; it was a descent into the gutter of public discourse.
What makes
this incident particularly shameful is the deafening silence that followed.
Instead of swift condemnation and an immediate apology, there was tacit
approval through inaction. When political discourse stoops to attacking the
deceased mothers of opponents, we have crossed a line that should never be
crossed in a civilised democracy. The failure to unequivocally condemn such
statements speaks volumes about the kind of political culture being fostered.
The Cost
of Constitutional Vandalism
The latest
pretext for parliamentary disruption centres around the Special Intensive
Revision of electoral rolls—a routine administrative process conducted by the
Election Commission under the Supreme Court’s overview. Yet this mundane
procedural matter has been weaponised to justify constitutional vandalism. Such
campaigns don't just waste parliamentary time - they systematically undermine
public faith in our democratic institutions.
When
opposition leaders make statements that are subsequently quoted by hostile
neighbours like Pakistan to malign India, we must question whether this is
responsible opposition or something far more damaging. Political opposition is
not only legitimate but essential for democracy—but it must never come at the
cost of national dignity or institutional credibility.
The
Elders' Silence
Within the
opposition benches sit parliamentarians of immense wisdom and
experience—leaders who have served the nation with distinction across decades.
Their knowledge represents a national treasure, their insights invaluable to
our democratic discourse. Yet their silence in the face of such systematic
disruption is deeply troubling. These senior leaders have a moral obligation to
counsel their colleagues away from the path of anarchy and back towards
constitutional methods. Their continued silence makes them complicit in this
democratic vandalism. Rahul Gandhi
should take into confidence and discuss with the well-experienced senior
leaders in the opposition block before deciding the Parliament strategies.
The
Government's Responsibility
Whilst the
primary responsibility for this crisis lies with those who choose disruption
over dialogue, the government too bears responsibility for fostering a
constructive environment. Regular consultation with opposition leaders, genuine
efforts to find common ground, and a commitment to allowing meaningful debate
within parliamentary rules are essential for a healthy democracy. Both sides
must work to ensure that Parliament functions as the founders envisioned.
A Call to
Conscience
This
editorial is an appeal to the conscience of every Member of Parliament,
regardless of party affiliation. The eyes of India are upon you—not just the
India of today, but future generations who will judge how we stewarded their
democracy. Our young people are watching and learning from your conduct. What lessons
are you teaching them? That the path to progress lies through constitutional
methods and respectful debate, or through chaos and institutional vandalism?
Dr
Ambedkar's warning about the "Grammar of Anarchy" was not an academic
theory—it was a practical roadmap for preserving democracy. When we abandon
constitutional methods despite their availability, we don't just harm
Parliament; we wound the very soul of our nation.
The time
has come to choose: Will we be remembered as the generation that preserved and
strengthened our democracy, or as the one that allowed it to descend into
anarchy? The Constitution you hold aloft for cameras demands more than
theatrical gestures—it demands adherence to its spirit and letter.
Parliament
must be restored to its rightful role as the temple of democracy. Our nation
deserves nothing less.
Data and
graphics courtesy: PRS Legislative Research
Source: This article was published in August 2025 edition of PreSense
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