Editorial of the Day (12th Jan): The Indian Parliament, a Promise Spurned

Context: The December 2023 security breach in India’s Parliament and the suspension of 150 opposition MPs, highlight critical aspects of the country’s parliamentary system and its current challenges.

Evolution of India’s Parliamentary System

• Exposure to Legislative Processes: During colonial rule, some Indians were introduced to legislative processes, which led some to favour the Westminster system.
• Debates in the Constituent Assembly: Within the Constituent Assembly, intense discussions revolved around the most suitable government form for India. Key debated models included the presidential, Indian orthodoxy, Swarajist, and parliamentary systems.
  • Presidential System Advocates: Proponents of the presidential system cited stability, national unity, and centralization as key benefits, drawing inspiration from the American model. Some also leaned towards religious and social majoritarianism.
  • Indian Orthodoxy Argument: Supporters of Indian orthodoxy emphasised establishing a regime based on classical Indian institutional wisdom, though the specifics of this approach were not clearly defined.
  • Swarajist Model: Advocates of the Swarajist model, inspired by Gandhi, argued for a regime centred around village panchayats with extensive powers and autonomy, where higher authority levels only held powers beyond the lower levels’ scope.
• Parliamentary Model Triumph: The debate was eventually won by supporters of the parliamentary system, who argued for a decisive authority representing the citizen community and an executive responsive to this popular authority.

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Pangs Of Creating An Opposition

• Necessity of Stable Support and Critical Challenge: A parliamentary system requires stable support for governance, yet it also needs to be continually questioned and challenged to ensure adherence to the common good.
• Dialectical Nature of the System: The system demands a balance between the majority’s mandate and the critical validation of this mandate, focusing on the common good.
• Role of Political Parties: Despite the initial absence of the term ‘political party’ in the Indian Constitution, the dynamics of stable governance and effective opposition are facilitated through a competitive party system.
• Absorption of Radical Voices: Initially radical elements, which sought to challenge the parliamentary system from within, were largely integrated into the system.
• Challenges for the Ruling Party: Both at the central and state levels, ruling parties have often found it difficult to accommodate a sustained opposition, occasionally resorting to measures to limit its influence.
• System’s Inherent Logic: Despite attempts to limit the opposition, the logic of the parliamentary system necessitates its existence and operation within the governance framework.

The Current State

• Accountability and Security Concerns: The opposition has raised legitimate concerns about the security breach in Parliament, emphasising its potential threat to India’s democracy and the need for a detailed examination of its impact.
• Call for Transparency: The opposition’s push for transparency and accountability aims to rebuild public trust in India’s democratic processes.
• Government and Leadership’s Response: The response from the parliamentary leadership and the government to the opposition’s demands has been seen as inadequate. Instead of cooperating, their reaction has been to view these demands as a challenge to parliamentary proceedings.
• Potential for Collaborative Efforts: The situation presented an opportunity for the presiding officers to work with the opposition, possibly through the formation of a security committee, which was not utilised.
• Concerns Over Leadership’s Independence: There is an apparent concern that the leadership of the Houses might be too aligned with the executive, potentially compromising their independent role in Parliament.

Conclusion

Recent developments in the Indian Parliament underscore broader systemic challenges beyond immediate security concerns. The establishment of a strong opposition, accountable leadership, and firm commitment to parliamentary norms are essential for the smooth operation of this key democratic institution. Effectively addressing these issues is vital for upholding the integrity and relevance of India’s parliamentary system amidst its diverse and evolving democratic context.

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