Tyranny of the majority

The Opposition is disturbed sufficient time isn’t being given to debate bills in Parliament. Their fear that a tyranny of the majority is in operation in the NDA-2 government is not unfounded. The speed with which the Human Rights Bill was passed is emblematic of the new Lower House, where the brute majority of the BJP’s 303 MPs seems to be practising a form of democracy not envisaged in the Indian system or the Constitution. It appears the ruling side is so domineering as to make it look as if the system is more like China, or in a country with an authoritarian executive. Truth to tell, the Opposition was decimated in the 2019 elections, also to the point of becoming less relevant in the current Lok Sabha. In fact, it’s in such a situation that more time should be given to the Opposition to make its views known and its opinions aired in debates so that our democracy’s foundations remain strong.

The last Lok Sabha gained notoriety for protests, some of which may have been convenient for the treasury benches, and led to virtual washouts with little business transacted. The new House has tended to business with some intent, but any extension of the session should be used more to allow credible debating time, besides the parliamentary committees chiselling the bills before presentation. Also, procedures must be followed in allowing bills to be sent to committees and not bulldozed through the House. All the bills being speed-tracked in the Lok Sabha tend to make only a selective appearance in the Rajya Sabha, depending on their acceptability to allies of the NDA. Even so, it’s only fair that all views be heard. Right now, only the relative strength of the Rajya Sabha is acting as a buffer.