Answer

The Parliament, as the cornerstone of democracy, ensures representation, deliberation, and legislation. Competitive disruptions, including frequent adjournments and walkouts, have hindered its legislative efficiency and accountability. For instance, the Winter Session 2023 witnessed a productivity drop of 33%, highlighting a pressing need for institutional reform to uphold democratic principles and restore legislative integrity.

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Impact of Competitive Disruptions on the Legislative Process

• Reduced Lawmaking Efficiency: Competitive disruptions lead to adjournments, delaying critical legislation and resulting in hastily passed Bills with limited scrutiny and debate.
• Compromised Legislative Quality: Rushed discussions during disruptions result in poorly drafted laws lacking inclusivity and foresight, undermining long-term governance.
• Hindrance to Question Hour: Disruptions prevent Question Hour, reducing accountability as Ministers evade scrutiny on policy implementation and governance challenges.
  For example: In the 2021 Monsoon Session, over 70% of Question Hour was disrupted, curtailing discussions on COVID-19 management.
• Undermined Parliamentary Procedures: Frequent disruptions weaken procedural sanctity, with critical legislative instruments bypassing committee reviews and undermining checks and balances.
• Loss of Public Trust: Legislative paralysis fuels public disillusionment, eroding confidence in the institution’s ability to serve national interests effectively.

Impact of Competitive Disruptions on Institutions as Cornerstone of Democracy

• Weakened Democratic Norms: Persistent disruptions erode Parliament’s role as a deliberative forum, shifting political debates to streets and media, and undermining institutional authority.
  For example: The Delhi Ordinance Bill (2023) witnessed protests outside Parliament, reflecting diminishing faith in legislative avenues.
• Loss of Civility in Debate: Acrimony between government and Opposition promotes hostility, replacing reasoned debates with aggression, damaging Parliament’s decorum.
  For example: The 2023 Budget Session saw MPs engaging in physical altercations, overshadowing the fiscal policy discussion.
• Marginalisation of Opposition: Disruptions enable ruling parties to bypass consensus-building, undermining Parliament’s inclusive nature and alienating minority voices.
  For example: In the 2023 Winter Session, key Bills were passed without Opposition participation due to adjournments caused by walkouts.
• Erosion of Leadership Respect: Lack of proactive leadership during disruptions weakens Parliament’s significance, reducing its stature as a platform for constructive democratic leadership.
  For example: The limited engagement of senior leaders during key debates, unlike Nehru’s consistent participation, signals a decline in parliamentary commitment.
• Diminished Public Perception: Repeated disruptions foster public cynicism, viewing Parliament as ineffective, diminishing its prestige and relevance as a democratic cornerstone.

Measures to Restore Parliament’s Effectiveness

• Strict enforcement of decorum: Implementing and consistently enforcing rules to prevent disruptions, with provisions for suspension or expulsion for disorderly conduct.
  For example: The 2023 suspension of disruptive MPs during the winter session enabled constructive debates on pressing economic issues.
• Institutionalising bipartisan dialogue: Creating platforms for pre-session dialogue between the government and opposition to address contentious issues.
  For example: The all-party meeting before the 2022 monsoon session helped resolve disputes over agricultural reforms.
• Reforming legislative scheduling: Allocating fixed time slots for debates on critical bills, ensuring all voices are heard without interruptions.
  For example: The UK Parliament’s use of Backbench Business Committees ensures debates on issues raised by non-government members.
• Enhancing public accountability: Broadcasting proceedings widely and make attendance, participation, and voting records publicly accessible.
  For example: The publication of MP performance reports post-2019 increased voter scrutiny of parliamentary contributions.
• Capacity-building for MPs: Regular workshops on legislative procedures and debate techniques can improve the quality of parliamentary contributions.
  For example: Orientation programs for newly elected MPs in 2019 boosted their participation and effectiveness in debates.

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Restoring Parliament’s effectiveness requires promoting consensus through all-party discussions, enhancing the role of parliamentary committees for constructive debate, and enforcing stricter rules against disruptions. A futuristic approach involves leveraging technology for transparency and citizen engagement while instituting reforms for ethical political behaviour. Strengthening democratic values will ensure Parliament remains a robust pillar of governance and democracy.

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