Unity Beyond Politics: Reflections on Winter Session 2023

Winter Session 2023 raises democracy concerns, marked by disruptions and a security breach. Plea for unity, mature leadership, and opposition vitality

 

Unity Beyond Politics: Reflections on Winter Session 2023

By Prime Point Srinivasan, Managing Editor

(Winter Session 2023 raises democracy concerns, marked by disruptions and a security breach. Plea for unity, mature leadership, and opposition vitality. BJP urged to engage in dialogue. Strengthening democracy demands collaboration.)

This Edutiruak wasoybkusged ub the Dec 2023 edition of PreSense

Performance

The recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament in 2023 has raised serious concerns among the public regarding the functionality of democracy. Commencing on December 4, 2023, and concluding on December 21, the Winter Session witnessed disruptions and suspensions. The Lok Sabha functioned for 74% of the scheduled time, and the Rajya Sabha for 81%.

The spark that ignited heightened concerns occurred on December 13 with an unprecedented security breach. Two intruders jumped from the visitor’s gallery into the Chamber, highlighting vulnerabilities in the security systems of the new Parliament House. Despite the Speaker initiating a high-powered investigation and proposing measures for future safety, opposition members disrupted the House. They demanded a response from the Prime Minister and a discussion in the House.

Frequent disruptions led to numerous adjournments in both Houses. This resulted in an unprecedented move by the Government to suspend 146 MPs (100 from Lok Sabha and 46 from Rajya Sabha) in a single stroke. This is the first time, a large-scale suspension has happened in the post-Independent era.  Media responses varied, expressing both support and opposition to these suspensions. With a significant absence of opposition members, the Government proceeded with legislative business. Crucial bills, including a new criminal law bill, press regulation bill, and telecom bill, were passed.

Graphics Courtesy: PRS India first photo

Historically, opposition parties, notably led by Congress, have engaged in disruptions on flimsy grounds in the current 17^th Lok Sabha. Apart from causing disruptions, a faction of opposition members exhibited unethical behaviour within the complex, protesting against the suspensions. The regrettable incident of Kalyan Banerjee, a TMC member, mimicking Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, was captured by Rahul Gandhi on his mobile, gaining viral attention. Even the President of India and the Prime Minister expressed concern over such behaviour. Even Mamta Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and an ally of Congress also slammed Rahul Gandhi for his act of recording in his mobile and making it viral.

Ruckus by opposition

The opposition's call for an open discussion in Parliament is deemed highly irresponsible. With a high-powered investigation already ordered, discussing a national security threat openly before cameras is not prudent. Instead, the opposition can demand the Government engage in closed discussions to address the nation's crisis and the parliamentary democracy.

Banerjee mimicking the Vice President and
Rahul Gandhi recording in his mobile

PreSense, in various editions, has highlighted how during the Narasimha Rao Government, both ruling and opposition parties collaborated in times of economic and external threats. Narasimha Rao deputed the Opposition leader Vajpayee to the United Nations to speak on behalf of the Indian Government. That gesture sent a strong signal across the world that India was united on major issues. Unfortunately, today's political landscape lacks mature opposition leaders like Vajpayee or Advani, who prioritised national interests over politics.

Given the Congress's role as the largest opposition party, they must introspect and nurture a leader with a high level of thinking beyond politics. A senior leader like  Rahul Gandhi video capturing the mimicking indicates the lack of guidance by experienced leaders.  Senior leaders like Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Veerappa Moily, A. K. Antony, Gulam Nabi Azad, and Ahmed Patel would not have allowed such things. 

For a robust democracy, a nation requires not only a strong ruling party but also a vibrant opposition. PreSense hopes Congress recognizes its role in the nation's development and develops leadership that thinks beyond political considerations.  They were ruling the country for more than 50 years.  Even now, several leaders with expertise in governance are with Congress.  They have to be involved in developing next-level leadership. 

Simultaneously, the ruling BJP should extend invitations to opposition leaders for dialogue outside the Parliament to resolve sensitive issues. Allegations against the BJP for passing bills without committee references and without discussions in the House and the vacant position of Deputy Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha need to be addressed.

India stands as the world's largest and most robust democracy. Strengthening democracy necessitates collaborative efforts between ruling and opposition parties, respecting the meticulously crafted Constitution by our freedom fighters.

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