Decline of Indian Parliament

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several interconnected factors contribute to the perceived decline of the Indian Parliament. These can be broadly categorized into structural, political, and behavioral issues.

1. Declining Legislative Productivity

• Reduced Sitting Days: The number of days Parliament sits has steadily decreased over the years. For example, the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) sat for only 331 days, compared to 547 days in the 11th Lok Sabha (1996-1999). (Data as of knowledge cutoff - 2024)
• Low Passage Rate of Bills: Despite frequent sessions, the actual number of bills passed has often been low, indicating inefficiency.
• Ordinance Route: Increased reliance on promulgating ordinances, bypassing parliamentary debate, signals a weakening of the legislative process. The Modi government has promulgated more ordinances than any previous government.

2. Erosion of Debate Quality & Increasing Disruptions

• Disruptive Tactics: Frequent disruptions, including shouting slogans, walkouts, and well-organized protests, have become commonplace, hindering meaningful debate.
• Decline in Parliamentary Etiquette: A decline in respect for parliamentary norms and traditions, coupled with increasingly polarized political discourse, contributes to a hostile environment.
• Lack of Research Support: MPs often lack adequate research support to effectively scrutinize complex legislation.

3. Political Factors

• Coalition Politics: While coalition governments are a feature of Indian democracy, they can lead to political instability and hinder the smooth functioning of Parliament.
• Executive Dominance: A strong executive, particularly with a clear majority, can often dominate the legislative agenda, reducing the role of Parliament in policy-making.
• Criminalization of Politics: The presence of individuals with criminal backgrounds in Parliament raises concerns about the quality of representation and ethical standards. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 233 (43%) of the 543 elected MPs had criminal cases pending against them.

4. Structural Issues

• Anti-Defection Law: While intended to prevent political instability, the anti-defection law has been criticized for stifling dissent within parties and encouraging party loyalty over individual conscience.
• Weak Committee System: Parliamentary committees, crucial for detailed scrutiny of legislation, have often been underutilized or politicized.
• Lack of Internal Democracy within Parties: Limited internal democracy within political parties can lead to a lack of diverse perspectives and independent thinking in Parliament.

Historical Turning Points

The decline wasn't sudden. The 1980s saw the beginning of increased disruptions. The post-liberalization era (1991 onwards) witnessed a rise in coalition governments and a corresponding increase in political maneuvering. The UPA era (2004-2014) saw several instances of prolonged parliamentary paralysis. The current era is marked by executive dominance and a further decline in debate quality.

Era	Key Characteristics
Pre-1980s	Relatively orderly proceedings, strong party discipline, respect for parliamentary norms.
1980s-1990s	Increased disruptions, rise of regional parties, beginning of coalition politics.
2000s-2010s	Prolonged parliamentary paralysis, frequent disruptions, increased politicization of issues.
2014-Present	Executive dominance, decline in debate quality, increased use of ordinances.