The ongoing Winter Session of the Indian Parliament has been marred by unprecedented levels of disruption and suspension of Members of Parliament (MPs). As of December 19, 2023, a staggering over 140 MPs have been suspended from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, primarily from opposition parties. This has cast a shadow on the legislative agenda, with the Lok Sabha managing to pass only three bills amidst the chaos.
Reasons for the Disruption:
The primary reason for the disruptions lies in the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the December 13 security breach in the Lok Sabha chamber. During this incident, an unknown object was thrown near the Speaker’s podium, raising concerns about security lapses in the highest legislative body of the country. The opposition has accused the government of trying to downplay the incident and has been adamant about holding a detailed discussion on it.
Mass Suspensions:
However, the government has responded to the protests by resorting to mass suspensions of opposition MPs. This has been met with sharp criticism from the opposition, who have termed it an authoritarian attempt to silence dissent and bypass scrutiny of the government’s actions. The suspensions have also led to accusations of muzzling democracy and undermining the very purpose of Parliament.
Bills Passed Amidst the Turmoil:
Despite the disruptions, the Lok Sabha managed to pass three bills on December 19:
The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023: This bill extends the protection from demolition or sealing for unauthorized colonies in Delhi for another three years.
Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill: This bill aims to bring certain sections of the CGST Act dealing with appellate tribunals in line with the Tribunal Reforms Act-2021.
Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023: This bill gives immediate effect to the changes in customs and excise duties announced in the Budget.
However, the passage of these bills has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the suspensions. The opposition has boycotted the proceedings in protest, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the legislative process.
Impact on Democracy:
The events of the Winter Session have raised serious concerns about the health of Indian democracy. The unprecedented level of disruptions and suspensions is a worrying sign of growing political polarization and intolerance. The inability of the opposition to raise legitimate concerns and the government’s heavy-handed response are both detrimental to a healthy democracy.
It is imperative that all stakeholders, including the government, opposition, and presiding officers, come together to find a way to resolve the current impasse. The sanctity and credibility of Parliament must be upheld, and space for constructive dialogue and dissent must be ensured. Only then can the legislative process function effectively and contribute to the betterment of the nation.
Additional Points:
The suspended MPs belong to various opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, TMC, and NCP.
The government has defended the suspensions, claiming that they were necessary to maintain order and decorum in the House.
The Winter Session is scheduled to conclude on December 29, 2023.
It remains to be seen whether the disruptions will continue or if a compromise can be reached between the government and the opposition
