The near washout of the monsoon session of Parliament is yet another reminder of the mortal threat to the country’s most important institution of parliamentary democracy. The numbers about its performance are stark. In the 25-day session, the Lok Sabha functioned for barely 19% and the Rajya Sabha for around 39% of their scheduled time. Twelve Bills were passed by both Houses, but only one saw substantive discussion. Nine Bills were passed without any MP, other than the minister concerned, speaking on them. This poor performance is not just a statistical failure. It shows the inability and refusal of both the government and the Opposition to engage each other, marking the breakdown of dialogue and civility in public life. The ruling party has blamed the Opposition, particularly the Congress, for repeated disruption of the House. The Opposition has accused the government of avoiding accountability on issues such as the police action against protesting students in Delhi and the theft of donations at the Ram temple.

The result was a paralysis of Parliament. While both sides share responsibility, the government bears the greater burden. It must ensure that the House functions and discussions are held; yet it resisted debates on the important issues that the Opposition wanted to raise. By the time Home Minister Amit Shah offered to debate the students’ protest, it was too late. Even then, conditions were laid down for his statement. Politically, it was a defensive, even evasive, move.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha, and Amit Shah appeared in the House just for a few minutes in the 25-day session. That absence inevitably signals scant commitment to the House. The confrontation in the House spilled beyond the House, with MPs facing off with placards outside Parliament. Parliament has reached a stage where its basic functionality has come to be questioned. Legislation passed without a debate may be legal, but it will lack legitimacy. All important issues of the nation need to be discussed in Parliament. The nation is yet to receive answers to questions about the use of force against students and the theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Parliament is meant for dialogue, not for a monologue. The government should facilitate discussions and accommodate the Opposition. Otherwise, it cannot expect co-operation.  (Source: DH)