Modi’s Cabinet Disrupting Parliament, Not the Opposition: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis

The 18th Lok Sabha stands in stark contrast to its predecessors, the 17th and 16th Lok Sabhas, due to a more robust Opposition. This shift is significant because the first and second Narendra Modi governments have often bypassed thorough parliamentary debate, pushing their agenda with minimal scrutiny. Over the past decade, the Opposition, weakened by numbers, struggled to hold the Union Cabinet accountable. When they did attempt to voice their concerns through protests or disruptions, they were criticized for “disrupting Parliament” and “wasting taxpayer money.” This criticism resurfaced recently when the Opposition interrupted PM Narendra Modi’s speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

What Does ‘Functioning of Parliament’ Mean?

The essence of parliamentary functioning goes beyond mere orderliness. It involves active debates and discussions on issues affecting citizens. The three pillars of government—the legislative, executive, and judiciary—have distinct roles. The legislative branch, comprising Parliament and state legislatures, is tasked with making laws, holding the executive accountable, and impeaching judges for misconduct. The executive, including the Union and state Cabinets, implements these laws, while the judiciary upholds them.

In India, the Constitution does not enforce a strict separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. Ministers are part of Parliament, which blurs the lines between law-making and law-implementing. Historically, until the 1970s, MPs played a more significant role in law-making. However, over time, their role has diminished to evaluating and passing laws introduced mainly by government ministers. Private Member’s Bills, introduced by non-minister MPs, rarely get discussed or passed.

The Role of MPs in Holding the Government Accountable

Beyond law-making, MPs have a crucial role in overseeing the executive’s actions. This oversight is conducted through debates in the House and participation in various parliamentary committees. These committees, such as the Standing Committees for Home Affairs, Defence, and Health and Family Welfare, scrutinize bills and issues referred to them. Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) are also formed to investigate significant issues like the Bofors scandal and the 2G case.

Despite the importance of these committees, their proceedings are not televised, leading to a lack of public awareness about their work. This oversight function is often overlooked by the media, as evidenced by a reporter questioning Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a JPC to investigate alleged stock market manipulation before the 2024 General Election results.

Who’s Really Blocking Parliament’s Functioning?

Critics often blame the Opposition for disrupting Parliament. However, the real issue lies in the lack of debates on critical issues due to the ruling party’s dominance. In the 17th Lok Sabha, only 316 out of 1,355 working hours were spent discussing government bills. Many bills were passed with minimal discussion, and few were referred to standing committees for scrutiny. The 17th Lok Sabha also saw the highest number of MP suspensions in India’s history.

The Opposition has demanded debates on various issues, including the Manipur conflict, electoral reforms, and the controversial farm laws. However, the Cabinet, aided by the Speaker and the Chairman, has often blocked these debates. This raises the question: who is really disrupting Parliament’s functioning?

A Stronger Opposition for a Stronger Democracy

The current Lok Sabha, with the BJP holding 240 out of 543 seats, presents a more balanced power dynamic. The Opposition is not as numerically weak as in the previous terms, which means the Cabinet can no longer ignore Parliament. This was evident during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, where the Opposition effectively countered interruptions from the Treasury benches and demanded accountability from the Prime Minister on issues like the Manipur conflict.

The hope is that this strengthened Opposition will ensure that critical issues such as caste and communal violence, price rise, and unemployment are addressed in Parliament. It is crucial for the functioning of a healthy democracy that the Cabinet does not disrupt parliamentary proceedings for a third consecutive term.

Summary

• The 18th Lok Sabha has a stronger Opposition compared to the 17th and 16th Lok Sabhas.
• The Modi government has often bypassed thorough parliamentary debate, pushing its agenda with minimal scrutiny.
• The legislative branch’s role in law-making has diminished over time, with most laws introduced by government ministers.
• MPs play a crucial role in overseeing the executive’s actions through debates and participation in parliamentary committees.
• Critics often blame the Opposition for disrupting Parliament, but the real issue is the lack of debates on critical issues.
• The current Lok Sabha presents a more balanced power dynamic, with the Opposition demanding accountability from the Cabinet.
• A stronger Opposition is essential for addressing critical issues and ensuring the proper functioning of democracy.