A curious formula now passes for democratic concern in sections of our political and commentariat classes: Disrupt Parliament, prevent Question Hour, shout down ministers, reject offers of debate and then publish solemn articles lamenting that Parliament did not debate.

Critics have cited the Monsoon Session’s numbers: The Lok Sabha functioned for 15 per cent of its scheduled time and the Rajya Sabha for 33 per cent. Question Hour operated for barely 1 per cent of its allotted time in the Lok Sabha and 12 per cent in the Rajya Sabha.

But these numbers cannot be separated from their cause. The same analysis records that the session was marked by repeated disruptions and adjournments. The Opposition’s arithmetic is therefore deeply cynical: First ensure that Parliament cannot function, and then use the resulting loss of time as evidence against the government.

The Constitution gives the Opposition every right to question, criticise, protest, move amendments and vote against the government. It does not give the Opposition a remote control with which it may switch Parliament off whenever its political demands are not accepted. The government has listened, negotiated, amended legislation and accommodated legitimate concerns. What it will not do is surrender the people’s mandate to an Opposition that paralyses........

© Indian Express