Context & The Gist
The recent Parliament session, triggered by debates on ‘Vande Mataram’ and electoral reform, offered a rare moment of activity but ultimately devolved into unproductive political exchanges. The article argues that these debates, while seemingly enlivening the Houses, failed to yield constructive outcomes, serving instead as platforms for political posturing and blame games, hindering meaningful progress on crucial issues.
Key Arguments & Nuances
- Political Motivation behind ‘Vande Mataram’ Debate: The debate surrounding ‘Vande Mataram’ was largely driven by the ruling BJP’s attempt to establish a new political narrative centered around “decolonisation” and countering “appeasement,” leveraging historical events to attack the opposition Congress.
- Missed Opportunity for Electoral Reform: The discussion on electoral reform, despite its potential to address critical issues like electoral roll integrity, funding transparency, and EC independence, was overshadowed by accusatory rhetoric and lacked substantive engagement.
- Polarized Political Discourse: The opposition’s sweeping allegations of electoral manipulation and institutional capture, exemplified by Rahul Gandhi’s speech, preemptively shut down any possibility of constructive dialogue with the government.
- Need for Purposeful Parliamentary Functioning: The article emphasizes the importance of Parliament utilizing its time effectively and engaging in meaningful deliberation rather than succumbing to political theatrics.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance
- Polity: Parliamentary Processes – functioning of Parliament, debates, and the role of the opposition.
- Governance: Issues relating to the integrity of the electoral process and reforms needed.
- Social Issues: The role of cultural symbols (like Vande Mataram) in political discourse and identity politics.
Prelims Data Bank
- Vande Mataram: Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876, it became a rallying cry for the Indian independence movement.
- Election Commission of India (ECI): A constitutional body established in 1950 to conduct free and fair elections.
- Article 324: Deals with the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament and State Legislatures.
Mains Critical Analysis
The article highlights a critical gap in the functioning of Indian Parliament – the prioritization of political point-scoring over substantive policy discussions. The debates, framed within a PESTLE framework, reveal:
- Political: Deep-seated political polarization and adversarial relationships hindering consensus-building.
- Economic: Lack of focus on crucial economic reforms related to election funding and transparency.
- Social: The instrumentalization of cultural symbols for political gain, exacerbating social divisions.
- Technological: Limited discussion on leveraging technology to enhance electoral integrity and efficiency.
- Legal: Need for comprehensive legal reforms to address loopholes in the electoral process.
- Environmental: (Not directly relevant in this context)
The implications of this trend are significant. It erodes public trust in democratic institutions, undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process, and hinders the country’s ability to address pressing challenges. The core issue is the lack of a shared commitment to constructive dialogue and a focus on national interest over partisan gains.
Value Addition
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002): Recommended state funding of elections.
- Indira Sawhney v. Union of India (1992): Landmark SC judgment on reservations, highlighting the importance of constitutional principles in political debates.
- Best Practice: Countries like Canada and Australia have independent electoral bodies with robust enforcement powers and transparent funding mechanisms.
- Quote: “Parliament is not a place for dharna; it is a place for discussion.” – Atal Bihari Vajpayee
The Way Forward
- Immediate Measure: Establish a bipartisan committee to review and propose reforms to the electoral process, focusing on transparency, accountability, and integrity.
- Long-term Reform: Promote a culture of constructive dialogue and consensus-building within Parliament, emphasizing the importance of national interest over partisan politics. Strengthen the independence and resources of the Election Commission.