As India observes Constitution Day and prepares to remember B.R. Ambedkar, a critical examination of the nation's parliamentary health reveals a troubling decline. D. Raja, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India, has issued a powerful call to action, urging concrete steps to reinvigorate India's democratic foundations. The immediate context is the commencement of the Winter Session of Parliament on December 1, 2025, which provides a stark lens to view the erosion of legislative function.
The Shrinking Space for Debate and Scrutiny
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly deliberately chose a parliamentary system to ensure the executive remained accountable to the legislature, preventing the concentration of absolute power. However, the current reality shows a vast gap between this ideal and practice. A primary symptom of this decline is the drastic reduction in the number of days Parliament meets.
While the first Lok Sabha averaged 135 sitting days a year, the 17th Lok Sabha hit a historic low of just 55 days annually. This sharp drop has had direct consequences on the quality of lawmaking. Data shows that during the 17th Lok Sabha, a staggering 35% of bills (excluding finance bills) were passed with less than one hour of debate. Furthermore, only 16% of bills were sent to parliamentary standing committees for detailed scrutiny.
Erosion of Norms and Federal Structure
The degradation extends beyond mere numbers. Parliamentary norms are being undermined by disruptions from treasury benches and an unprecedented rate of suspensions of Opposition MPs, even when they raise legitimate questions. This trend aligns with Ambedkar's warning about replacing constitutional methods with authoritarian shortcuts.
Simultaneously, India's federal structure, envisioned as a "Union of States," is under severe strain. Increasing fiscal centralization, shrinking tax devolution to states, and the partisan use of institutions like governors and central agencies have constrained state autonomy. The sidelining of forums like the Inter-State Council further weakens the cooperative federalism the Constitution's framers intended.
A Concrete Path to Restoration
To reverse this decline, D. Raja proposes a multi-front battle: political mobilisation for democratic integrity, ideological reaffirmation of constitutional values, and legal challenges to arbitrary executive actions. The most tangible reform proposed is legislative.
Raja advocates for a legal mandate requiring Parliament to sit for a minimum of 100 days each calendar year. This simple measure would naturally enable thorough debate, allow greater time for scrutinizing legislation, provide the Opposition a sustained platform, and re-establish Parliament as the true centre of national decision-making.
The Constitution and Ambedkar's legacy demand more than annual ceremonial respect. They require active vigilance to protect checks and balances. The strength of Indian democracy, Raja concludes, hinges not on the size of an electoral mandate but on the rigour of its institutions and the courage of its citizens to defend their sovereign will.
