Indian parliament sessions are disrupted regularly for one or other reasons. However, this is not a new phenomenon the first disruption occurred in the year 1963. Recently a conflict has been going on due to the suspension of a lot of members of parliament. This creates confusion in the minds of voters, especially First Time Voters.

It is a perception or fact that Indian Parliament Sessions have been disrupted more since 2014. Let’s have a summary of Indian Parliament Sessions since 2014.

Since 2014, the Indian Parliament has seen multiple sessions across two Lok Sabhas (16th and 17th) with varying degrees of productivity and significant legislative and political developments. Here’s a breakdown of some key aspects:

Legislative Output during Parliament sessions:

The legislative output of the Indian Parliament since 2014 has been significant. However, the productivity and content of legislation have varied by session. It is influenced by factors like political dynamics, public debate, and disruptions.

Here’s a breakdown of the legislative output in different categories:

Major Legislative Achievements:

• Economic Reforms: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, one of the most significant tax reforms in India’s history, was passed in 2017, aimed at unifying and simplifying the indirect tax system.
• Social Welfare: Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (financial inclusion) and Ayushman Bharat (health insurance) were implemented through legislative backing.
• National Security: Laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act (UAPA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) amendment were passed, strengthening security measures.
• Infrastructure Development: Bills for projects like the Dedicated Freight Corridor, Sagarmala Project, and Smart Cities Mission received legislative approval.

Other Notable Bills Passed:

• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) for quicker debt resolution
• Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) for consumer protection in property deals
• Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) granting citizenship rights to certain persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries
• Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act (FPTC) aimed at facilitating farmer-to-consumer trade

Pending Bills:

• Data Protection Bill: Balancing privacy with innovation and government access remains a challenge.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Bill: Concerns over potential environmental consequences and public consultations.
• Population Control Bill: Ethical and practical considerations lead to ongoing debate.

Productivity Variations:

• The BJP government’s strong majority in the Lok Sabha has facilitated faster passage of its legislative agenda in some sessions.
• However, disruptions by opposition parties, public protests, and internal disagreements within the Parliament can lead to delays and reduced productivity in other sessions.
• Recent sessions have witnessed a decline in productivity compared to earlier years, prompting concerns about the Parliament’s efficiency.

Reasons for Disruptions of Indian Parliament Sessions

A perception is created by Congress that it is due to the dictatorship of the BJP Government. While the government is blaming opposition parties for disrupting parliament sessions. The reasons for disruptions in Indian Parliament sessions since 2014 are complex and multifaceted. However, it can be broadly categorized into several key factors:

Political Reasons:

• Ideological Differences: Strong disagreements between the ruling BJP and various opposition parties on key issues like economic policies, social welfare programs, and national security can lead to heated debates and attempts to disrupt proceedings.
• Opposition tactics: Opposition parties may resort to disruptions as a way to draw attention to their concerns, stall unpopular legislation, or pressure the government to address specific issues.
• Power dynamics: The BJP’s strong majority, while seemingly conducive to smoother proceedings, can sometimes embolden the ruling party to push through legislation without adequately addressing opposition concerns, leading to protests and disruptions.
• Internal dissent: Disagreements and factions within both the ruling party and opposition can also lead to disruptions as members try to voice their dissent or challenge party leadership.

Procedural Reasons:

• Lack of time for grievances: Opposition parties often feel they are not given enough time to raise their concerns on the floor of the House. This is leading to frustration and potentially disruptive tactics.
• Unresponsiveness of the government: When the opposition feels the government is not adequately addressing their questions or concerns, they may resort to disruptions to get their voice heard.
• Lack of discipline: In many cases, disruptions occur due to a lack of adherence to parliamentary decorum and protocol. It is been done by individual members, regardless of their ideological or political positions.

Systemic Reasons:

• Weak disciplinary mechanisms: The Parliament’s mechanisms for disciplining disruptive members are often seen as inadequate or rarely used. This emboldened some members to disrupt proceedings without facing serious consequences.
• Media attention: Disruptions can receive significant media attention. That can incentivize some members to engage in such tactics for political gain or to raise their profile.
• Rise of populism: An increasingly polarized political environment with the rise of populism. Moreover, it can exacerbate existing ideological differences and increase the likelihood of disruptions.

It’s important to note that:

• The reasons for disruptions are often complex and intertwined, and attributing blame to any single factor is an oversimplification.
• There are also instances where disruptions are justified. When the government attempts to bypass parliamentary norms or pass controversial legislation without proper debate.
• Finding solutions to address disruptions requires a multi-pronged approach involving political parties. The Speaker/Chairman and civil society stakeholders to strengthen parliamentary norms, improve dialogue, and ensure the effective functioning of the legislature.

Hopefully, this provides a broader understanding of the reasons behind disruptions in Indian Parliament sessions

Impact of Disruptions:

• Reduced Productivity: Frequent disruptions and protests by opposition parties have sometimes compromised the Parliament’s ability. Thus reducing the productivity of the house.
• Public Perception: Frequent disruptions can lead to a negative perception of the Parliament’s efficiency and its ability to address urgent issues.
• Media Coverage: Disruptions often receive significant media attention, shaping public discourse around political issues and parliamentarians’ conduct.

Additional Points:

• The Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, has witnessed greater disruptions. This is due to its composition, often leading to delays in passing bills.
• The role of independent MPs and smaller regional parties has gained importance in recent years, influencing legislative discussions and outcomes.
• Technological advancements have enhanced transparency and public access to parliamentary proceedings, leading to greater public engagement.