India’s parliament is facing criticism for undermining democratic processes and rushing through legislation without proper debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has called a special five-day session of parliament, which is being held in a new building despite an opposition boycott. The government released a tentative list of agenda items for the session, including controversial legislation that seeks to tighten government control over the press and the Election Commission of India. Opposition parties fear that the government may have surprise legislations up its sleeve. There are also speculations that the government is considering changing India’s official name to Bharat, as part of its attempt to “decolonize” Indian minds and promote the dominance of the Hindi language.
The government is also toying with the idea of holding simultaneous elections at the federal, state, and local levels, known as the “One nation, one election” idea. However, this idea has been criticized by the opposition as undemocratic and a threat to federalism. The government has also introduced a bill challenging a recent Supreme Court judgment that called for more independence for the Election Commission ahead of the upcoming polls. The bill omits the chief justice from the committee overseeing the appointments of the poll panel, thereby granting the government more control over the selection process.
Critics argue that Modi’s government has been undermining democratic institutions and disregarding established processes. The BJP and its allies hold a comfortable majority in parliament, allowing them to push through legislation without comprehensive debate and scrutiny. This perceived failure in parliamentary oversight reflects broader concerns about India’s democratic backsliding. The country’s rankings in global indices, such as press freedom and democratic credentials, have declined in recent years.
In the recent monsoon session of parliament, the government passed several crucial bills with little to no debate or consultation. The opposition was not given the opportunity to challenge or suggest amendments to these laws, some of which could stifle free speech and increase state control over citizens. The session was one of the least productive, with the lower house spending just 14 hours to pass 22 bills. Each bill was discussed for an average of only 40 minutes, and some were passed after only two or three minutes of discussion. Protests and demonstrations by opposition MPs have become common during parliamentary sessions, as they push for more meaningful debates on national issues.
Overall, there is growing concern about the erosion of democratic processes in India’s parliament. Critics argue that Modi’s government is using its majority to rush through legislation and sideline opposition voices. The lack of comprehensive debate and scrutiny in parliament raises questions about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and the functioning of India’s democracy as a whole.
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