Context: 

This article is explaining the role played by the Parliamentary institutions in strengthening democracy in India.  

Parliamentary Democracy:

• A Supreme Expression: Parliament represents the supreme expression of the will of sovereign nations and peoples.
• Elections: Elected representatives seek approval for their plans and programmes from their constituents through free, fair and open elections.
• Accountability: Parliament holds the executive branch accountable for their actions and inactions.

India- Mother of Democracy:

• Indian ancient texts mention institutions and political systems that facilitated discussions and deliberations and also reveal the existence of participatory governance, especially at the level of village communities.
• Many parts of India, inhabited by communities with tribal traditions, have demonstrated resilient local self-governance.
• Parliamentary democracy has strengthened and flourished in independent India. 
• When India gained independence in 1947, there were widespread doubts about the democracy in the country. 
  • However, the founding leaders of the country had an intuitive faith in the political judgment and wisdom of the common people and had no self-doubt. 
• India adopted an exceptionally enlightened Constitution at independence.

Role of Parliament in strengthening democracy:

• Enabled the nation to manage conflicts and cherish diversity.
• Guided the nation on the path of development and prosperity with special focus on the weaker sections of the society.
• Respect diversity in all its forms. 
• Final watchdog of the public exchequer, approves the allocation of funds, and finances and monitors expenditure.

• Securing accountability of the executive through the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, tradition and well-settled precedents.
• Bringing positive changes in socio-economic changes in India through progressive legislation and debates on matters of contemporary national interest . 
  • To date, our Parliament has passed over 4,000 laws since Independence. 
  • These pieces of legislation have established India as a nation that promotes the rule of law. 
  • It also establishes India as a nation that is determined to uplift and improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens, and make society inclusive and fair.

Parliamentary Committees:

• Extensions of Parliament and are often referred to as miniature parliaments.
• Endowed with significant authority and responsibility for conducting thorough examinations of bills, budget proposals, programs, policies, and the functioning of various ministries within the Union government.
• Play a crucial role in complementing and supporting the work of Parliament.
• Develop their own approaches, gather input from government officials, and take opinions directly from the public, organizations, and experts. 
  • These feedback mechanisms enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.

Parliamentary Privileges:

• The Constitution grants members of Parliament certain rights, privileges to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities efficiently and without fear of bias.
• It serves as a shield to protect the independence, authority, and dignity of Parliament from encroachments by other branches of the state. 
• This is essential for freely expressing their opinions and ideas.
• These privileges have immunity from legal action for statements made within the Houses of Parliament and protection from arrest in civil matters during parliamentary sessions or committee meetings.

Way Forward:

• Right to question and dissent should be protected at all costs.
• Need to work upon the disruptive obstructionism, which is a decrease in the productivity of the legislative body.

• Time for Transformation: India should devise ways to transform this representative institution into a place deserving of the respect and confidence that voters have placed in their elected representatives.
• Embracing Technology: Indian Parliament needs to embrace technology and should lead the way. 
  • Over the last few years, the Parliament of India has made concerted efforts to introduce information technology.

News Source: The Indian Express