After hundreds of years of alien rule, India got independence and chose to go in for a parliamentary form of democracy. Since the time of independence, it has been seen that the form of democracy so chosen has gone on with its usual ups and downs. Despite the problems confronting the vast country, its progress and image in the international community can hardly be overlooked. Some credit must go to the nationalist leaders who, at a stretch, were freedom fighters, makers of the constitution, and nation-builders. Some of them came to power and held important posts, thereby setting examples for the future of parliamentary democracy in the country.
The constitution of India provides for parliamentary democracy both in the centre and the states. The system has stood the test of time, except for certain slurs that not only defame the country but also politics itself. Disturbance in the parliament and state assembly is one of them. Since independence, there have been many cases of disturbance and unruly behaviour on the part of members, both in the parliament and state legislative assemblies, thereby creating national and international headlines. Now let us try to find out the reasons for this state of affairs:
- Multi-party democracy – Although in certain countries around the world there are one-party and bi-party systems, India follows a system of multi-party democracy. The more there are political parties, the more will be the differences of opinion and ideology, which will ultimately lead to arguments, unruly behaviour, and even violence in the house.
- Scope for debate and discussion – The legislature is an open forum for debate and discussion amongst the members and between the government and the opposition. This may often lead to turmoil in the house. Since it can hardly be avoided, keeping in view the passing of bills and discussion on national and international issues, only restraint will save the situation.
- Problems of the country – India is a vast country with multifarious problems. It may so happen that each member in the house will present a problem. It is really difficult to solve so many problems at a time. Ways and means to solve a problem may also differ between the government and the members.
- Party ideology – In a multi-party democracy, several political parties exist with ideologies of their own. Since different political parties are present in the house, it is only natural that ideologies should clash at times, leading to extreme situations.
- Intolerance – It is generally seen that there is intolerance between one party and the other and between the government and the opposition. This is a deadly characteristic that works against the tenets of parliamentary democracy.
- Limelight – When certain political parties remain out of power and sit in the opposition most of the time, they may want to come into the limelight by making a comment or raising an issue or problem in the house. This happens mostly when the elections are around the corner. Trying to come into the limelight may often lead to turmoil in the house.
- Fight for power – In a democracy, political parties fight in elections to come to power. Even if they get defeated in an election, it is always their endeavour to come to power in the next elections. This tendency to come to power often leads parties to a clash with the government.
- Important issues – There are often major differences of opinion on important issues amongst the political parties and between the opposition and the government. Politicians do make statements in public on important issues, which may lead to turmoil in the house.
- Regional disparity – It is generally seen that in a vast country like India, development is not even. There are developed, underdeveloped, and undeveloped areas, which may often lead to discontent amongst the members. A member may accuse the government of being partial, which will only lead to arguments and counterarguments in the house.
- Respect to dignitaries – The members in the house should have respect for dignitaries like the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, which are constitutional posts. Their ruling in the house must be obeyed by the members. Though respect for the chair can be seen, at times the situation gets out of control.
- Human nature – The members are also human beings, and it is only natural on their part to have human characteristics like anger, irritation, and even frustration. At times, they are also guided by an impulse. Reason and restraint can only check them.
After finding out the reasons, let us try to seek the probable solutions:
- Faith in peaceful debate – In a democracy, debate and discussion can hardly be avoided. But it should be peaceful without being heated.
- Role of the Speaker – The Speaker plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of law and order in the house. He can punish and suspend a member from the house on grounds of unruly and unparliamentary behaviour. He should always assert his authority in the house.
- Role of the concerned Minister – The role of the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs is quite important in the matter. He keeps track of the convening of the sessions of the house. He also convenes all-party meetings before a session starts. Such meetings are helpful in the maintenance of law and order as the agenda of the government is put forth beforehand.
- Consensus – Dialogue is a solution to all the problems. If there is consensus on major issues and bills to be presented on the floor of the house, this will not lead to much turmoil in the house. But such a situation is often far-fetched.
- Constructive opposition – The opposition plays an important role in a democracy. It should check the excesses of the government instead of defaming it on petty grounds.
- Respect for authority – The members should have the utmost respect for the authority, which should, in turn, be impartial. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker should treat all the members equally, irrespective of their political party. This situation of give and take may establish order in the house.
- Dignity of the house – The dignity of the house towers above everything. The central parliament and state assemblies are pillars of democracy, and the members and the chairpersons know it fully well. Self-realisation on the part of the members that, as representatives of the people, they enjoy a dignified position along with the dignity of the house will solve much of the problem.
- Nation coming first – The interests of the nation come first, and the political parties, both in the government and the opposition, should compromise with their ideological and party differences in the interest of the nation.
- Tolerance – The political parties, both in the government and the opposition, should be tolerant towards each other.
- Development – The development of the country should be given top priority. Regional disparity should be shunned, and the government should pay attention to equal and even development of all areas so that the members do not feel neglected.
We have adopted parliamentary and multi-party democracy and have to stay with it. We cannot do away with the political parties or the tools of democracy like discussion and debate. Neither can we overcome the problems of the country overnight. Party ideologies will continue to be different, and there will always be a struggle for power. In such a tricky situation, development and national interests, consensus, respect for authority and the dignity of the house, and self-realisation on the part of the members that they will only forward democracy will save the situation. The members should see to it that they have been elected by the people to a dignified house, and it is their duty to uphold its dignity. In this age of electronics and social media, how they act and behave in the house can be watched by the whole world, and any unruly behaviour or untoward incident will only undermine them and democracy in the country. The members of the legislature, as people’s representatives, carry enough weight and enjoy the faith and confidence of the people, and they are capable of upkeeping the dignity of the pillars of democracy.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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