Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.

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Q4. Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. (10m)

Introduction:

Parliamentary sovereignty means an absolute and supreme authority of a country’s legislative body to make, amend, and repeal laws without any interference or constraint from other organs of the state.

Parameters	India	Britain
Supremacy of Parliament	In India there is a blend of Judicial Supremacy and Parliamentary Sovereignty. The powers of Parliament are limited by the constitutional provisions.	In Britain, the supreme law making authority lies with the Parliament. The laws enacted by Parliament can not be questioned.
Nature of Constitution	Written Constitution limits the authority of the Indian Parliament. E.g. A.13, Fundamental rights limits the authority of parliament	Unwritten constitution in Britain and parliamentary functioning based on conventions and precedents allows larger discretion to the British Parliament.
Nature of polity	Federal nature of polity in India demands sharing of power between Union and State governments. Indian Parliament cannot legislate on state list matters in normal times.	Unitary nature of polity in Britain favours the principle of sovereignty of the British Parliament in making laws for the country.
Limited Amending Powers	The amending powers of Indian Parliament are restricted by judicial review. The Judiciary can declare any legislation unconstitutional if it goes against the basic features of the Constitution. E.g. NJAC.	The power of the British Parliament is not only legally unrestricted but it can even change the well established Constitutional principle through legislative process.
Limited by Veto Power	In India, the Presidential Veto also acts as a limitation on sovereignty of Parliament. E.g. Pocket Veto by former President Giani Zail Singh on Indian Post Office (Amendment Bill).	Though the British Monarch is head of state, the real powers to make legislation lies with Parliament. While the monarch can refuse Royal assent it has not been witnessed since 1708.

Conclusion

In this way, the approaches to Parliamentary Sovereignty differ in India and Britain. However, legislatures in both the countries adhere to the basic principles of rule of law,upholding fundamental rights and promoting equality and justice for all.

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