For some years now, the functioning of Parliament has been reduced to shouting matches, leading to frequent adjournments and lowered productivity. Laws are often passed without much debate, following walkouts by the Opposition. The quality of debate has also gone down. Speeches are delivered in the midst of school-level heckling by the other side. People wonder how many of the members even made it to this august institution, such is their lack of intellectual ability. There is little, if any, respect for the presiding officials.
This behaviour is being witnessed in the ongoing session of Parliament as well. It is convenient for the Government in a way, as it does not have to make too much effort to get its bills passed, having a majority in both houses. The opposition has reduced itself to a minimalist agenda, thereby forsaking the opportunity for individual members to raise matters related to their particular constituencies or influencing decision making at any level.
How is this good for democracy, particularly in a global environment where nations are succumbing to fissiparous tendencies and armed insurgencies? Should not India’s politicians learn some lessons from this? The security and integrity of the nation should not be taken so much for granted. India is today surrounded by nations that are facing existential crises. The challenges have, therefore, only increased. Having absorbed, for instance, the overflow of Bangladesh’s population explosion, will it now be the turn of Hindu refugees to flock to India? Should not India’s Parliament focus on that and together forge a counterstrategy?
Everything cannot and should not be politicised to the point where only narrow personal interests begin to matter. Much of the responsibility for the present state of affairs belongs to the party supposedly leading the opposition. Although it is supposed to be an alliance, it does not function as one. Most member parties are not pleased with the performance of the Congress leadership and have said so on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, nothing concrete has emerged from this. As a result, parties are distancing themselves from the common agenda and pursuing separate goals. This is increasingly leaving the Congress on its own, which internally too must consider if the strategy of its present leadership is a productive one. Is it incapable of throwing up a better alternative? Are its members compelled to sink or swim with the family in the way the Baath Party suffered the dictatorship of the Assads? India should not have to pay the price.
