Decline of Parliamentary Standards

The decline in the standards of parliamentary proceedings in the country has become a recurring theme. Several issues have been highlighted:

• Passage of Bills without adequate or any discussion
• Disruptive behavior, including MPs rushing to the Well and throwing papers
• Stalled proceedings and allegations of partisanship against presiding officers

Current Parliamentary Crisis

The crisis in Parliament has reached unprecedented levels, marked by:

• A notice signed by 118 Opposition MPs for a no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker, questioning the Speaker's credibility.
• Speaker admitted advising PM not to attend the Lok Sabha due to security concerns, revealing the government's inability to protect the PM within Parliament.
• Security issues highlighted by the Central Industrial Security Force handling Parliament's security since mid-2024.

Contentions and Allegations

The tension between the government and the Opposition has intensified:

• Opposition's reference to an unpublished book by former Army chief General M M Naravane, which was denied by the publisher, leading to an FIR and further complications.
• BJP MP's notice against LoP for "anti-India activities," seeking the cancellation of his Lok Sabha membership.

Impact on Parliamentary Dignity

The recent events have affected the dignity of crucial parliamentary roles:

• Strained trust between the ruling party and the Opposition has rendered Parliament dysfunctional.
• The lack of cooperation and civility in public discourse is detrimental to the functioning of Parliament.

Historical Context and Current Challenges

Disruptions are not new; past incidents include:

• Home Minister Indrajit Gupta in 1996 expressed helplessness amid parliamentary chaos.
• Contentions during the coalition era (1989-2014) with regional parties often stalling Parliament.
• In 2016, the then President urged MPs to fulfill their duties amidst disruptions.

Presiding officers previously managed to restore order, utilizing moral authority and the cooperation of leaders from both sides.

The Future of Parliamentary Democracy

The future direction of parliamentary democracy in India hinges on internal reforms. Reflecting on past leadership, Sushma Swaraj, in 2014, emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships despite differences:

• Complimented opposition leaders for their mediatory role and others for their qualities that enabled parliamentary functioning.
• Highlighted that while parties may be opponents, they are not enemies, fostering relationships across ideological divides.

This sentiment remains vital for addressing the current and future challenges of Indian democracy.