Nowadays, a headline common to days the Parliament is in session reads: “Parliamentary proceedings disrupted due to ruckus by Parliamentarians,” with equal chances of disruptors being either from the Opposition or the Treasury Benches. However, the nadir was reached when a few days ago, a physical scuffle broke out between Parlia mentarians at the gate of Parliament, which led to hospitalisation of two MPs, two cross FIRs, and a charge of near molestation by a lady MP against the Leader of the Opposition. State Assemblies have sometimes witnessed fist fights between legislators, and some MLAs have been caught watching porn in Vidhan Sabhas; yet, this is the first time there was a physical exchange in Parliament.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar was constrained to observe in the Rajya Sabha: “As we conclude this session, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of our Constitution, we face a moment of serious reflection. While our celebration of Samvidhan Divas in the historic Sam vidhan Sadan was made to reaffirm democratic values, our actions in this House tell a different story.” Speaking on Good Governance Day, 25 December 2021, Mr. Dhankar’s predecessor, then Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu had similarly observed that good governance needed good legislatures to oversee the performance of the executive. Mr. Naidu, lamented that in a serious abdication of its responsibility, the Rajya Sabha had lost about 61 per cent of Question Hour time on account of disruptions. Sadly, disruptions have marred most of the subsequent sessions of Parliament as well.

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Lack of discussion in Parliament has ensured that many Bills, some with controversial provisions, have sailed through without being fully debated; the Opposition felt that it had done its duty by walk-outs and protests. But public-spirited citizens have felt short changed; neither House finds time to discuss pressing concerns of the common man e.g., roaring inflation, rising inequality, rampant unemployment, foreign threats, women’s safety etc. Laws enacted without adequate discussion often return to haunt their makers; the highly contentious Farming Acts, passed without sufficient debate, led to protracted protests, and had to be repealed within fifteen months.

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Unfortunately, the Farming Acts were repealed without discussion, depriving citizens of........

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