BEHIND SUSPENSION OF 143 MPS, A POLITICAL IMMORALITY

THE CONTEXT: The recent suspension of a large number of Opposition Members of Parliament from the House in the Winter Session underlines the institutional weakening of our political system.

ISSUES:

• Parliament has been converted into a zone of conflict, where the established norms of discussion and deliberation are being conveniently sidelined.
• One one hand, ruling party invokes the House rules to supersede the parliamentary customs and conventions simply to get rid of the Opposition while the Opposition uses the act of disruption as a legitimate political technique.

FOUR IDENTIFIABLE FACETS OF THIS POLITICAL CRISIS:

1. Decline of Legislative discussion:

• • The idea of legislative discussion has lost its political significance. Parliamentary debates in recent years shows that MPs always adhere to party-line to make any comment, criticism or observation.
  • These remarks are often delivered in the form of a political speech, which usually does not determine the outcomes of actual legislative business. The parliamentary discussion therefore turns out to be a collection of unrelated speeches, disruptions and sloganeering.
  • The failure of parliamentarians to evolve a culture of mutual learning through healthy discussions and deliberations has weakened the democratic capability of Parliament as the supreme legislative body.

2. Professionalisation of politics:

• • Post-colonial Indian politics inherited values from the national movement and democratic politics was defined as a form of social service in the early decades after Independence.
  • However, recent electoral competition use factors as caste, religion and regional identity are recognised as powerful tools. Politics is now being seen rather differently as a profession to gain power and achieve upward mobility.
  • For example, the politicians who used to celebrate secularism as the ultimate moral value earlier do not hesitate to mock it as an outdated idea now.

3. Intellectual aspect:

• • This new form of competitive politics deteriorate intellectual aspect of political parties. There is an enthusiasm to embrace the dominant political narrative for electoral viability.
  • Opposition are no longer interested in posing any intellectual challenge in electoral politics.
  • The intellectual bankruptcy of the political class does not allow it to generate new political ideas and imaginations. As a result, the level of legislative discussions is compromised and disruptions become the acceptable norms of doing politics inside Parliament.

4. Decline of political morality

• • The Constitution expects legislators to evolve a political value-system so as to make themselves collectively accountable and responsible.
  • The manner in which the Rules to conduct legislative business have been invoked this time is deeply problematic.
  • Their imposition without any reference to larger democratic principles makes them politically inappropriate and logically unsustainable.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Strike a balance between disruption and important issues: There is a need to strike a balance between deliberate disruption and raising important issues.
• Constructive role of opposition: Opposition members should play a constructive role in Parliament and they should be allowed to put forward their views and express themselves in a dignified manner.
• Address broader challenges: There is a need to address the broader challenges in the functioning of the Indian Parliament, including issues related to representation, responsiveness, and the need for procedural reforms.

THE CONCLUSION:

The present situation is an outcome of a much deeper political crisis, which poses a serious challenge to our democratic values and egalitarian constitutional principles. There is a need to take into account the concerns of voters who believe in parliamentary system to protect and nurture democratic values.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of the Indian Parliament? (2023)

Q.2 Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.(2023)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 The wholescale suspension of MPs in a single day highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining order and decorum during legislative sessions. Comment.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/behind-suspension-of-143-mps-a-political-immorality-9076656/