Opinion | Why a Strong, Fierce Opposition in Parliament Matters in India

“With the current political landscape, it’s crucial for the INDIA block to draw inspiration from this past example and work towards building a united, strategic, and visionary opposition that truly represents the voices of the people. By doing so, they can ensure that India’s democracy remains vibrant and robust.”

In a democratic setup like India, The Parliamentary Opposition plays a crucial role in preserving the true essence of the democracy and raising the concerns of a larger number of people of the country. A strong and fierce opposition ensures that the ruling party is held accountable for their actions, and that the voices of the people are represented. However, today, India’s parliamentary opposition is not merely fragmented but also in disarray. There seems to be hardly any Opposition party with a vision or strategy for its institutional working or for the Opposition as a whole.
Reviving and strengthening the parliamentary opposition of India becomes extremely important for the world’s largest democracy, especially, when its global rankings, in various indices evaluating democracy, are declining. However, with the recent election mandate, the INDIA block led by Rahul Gandhi has an opportunity to demonstrate robust opposition and hold the ruling party accountable. Prime Minister Modi had earlier expressed his desire for a strong opposition (Source: Indian Express, “Narendra Modi wants a strong Opposition, says it’s essential for democracy”). Now, it’s up to the INDIA block to rise to the occasion and provide constructive opposition, just like the BJP did during their time in opposition (Source: The Hindu, “Somnath Chatterjee: A Speaker who stood up to the government”).
Under Somnath Chatterjee’s speakership (2004-2009), the Lok Sabha witnessed lively debates and effective opposition, despite the BJP being in the opposition with a significant number of seats. This period saw the opposition successfully holding the government accountable on various issues, setting a precedent for effective opposition in Indian parliamentary history.
With the current political landscape, it’s crucial for the INDIA block to draw inspiration from this past example and work towards building a united, strategic, and visionary opposition that truly represents the voices of the people. By doing so, they can ensure that India’s democracy remains vibrant and robust.

Now why is opposition important :
Accountability: A strong opposition in Parliament acts as a watchdog, keeping a close eye on the actions of the ruling party. They scrutinize policies, question decisions, and expose corruption, ensuring that the government is transparent and accountable. This prevents the ruling party from abusing their power and promotes good governance.

Diverse Voices: The opposition in Parliament represents diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring that the concerns of various sections of society are heard. They raise issues that affect marginalized communities, minorities, and other vulnerable groups, forcing the government to address these concerns.

Promoting Debate and Discussion: A strong opposition in Parliament promotes healthy debate and discussion, leading to better decision-making. They challenge the government’s policies and proposals, forcing them to justify their decisions and consider alternative perspectives.

Preventing Authoritarianism. : A fierce opposition in Parliament prevents the ruling party from becoming authoritarian. They ensure that the government does not ride roughshod over the rights of citizens and that democratic institutions are not undermined.

Here are some examples from the Indian Parliament that illustrate the importance of a strong opposition:

Lokpal Bill (2011) : The opposition forced the government to introduce the Lokpal Bill, which aimed to establish an anti-corruption ombudsman. Although the bill was eventually passed, the opposition’s persistence ensured that the government didn’t dilute its provisions.

GST Bill (2017) : The opposition, led by the Congress, negotiated with the government to make significant changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, making it more consumer-friendly and reducing the tax burden on small businesses.

Aadhaar Bill (2016) : The opposition raised concerns about privacy and surveillance, leading to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment that upheld the scheme’s validity but struck down some of its provisions.

Farmers’ Protest (2020-2021) : The opposition supported the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws, forcing the government to repeal them.

These examples demonstrate how a strong opposition in the Indian Parliament has shaped policies, laws, and decisions, ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people.

Conclusion
In conclusion, a strong and fierce opposition in Parliament is essential for India’s democratic health. They ensure accountability, representation, debate, and prevent authoritarianism. A weak opposition, on the other hand, can lead to a dictatorship of the majority, where the ruling party has unchecked power. Let us cherish and strengthen our democratic institutions by promoting a robust opposition in Parliament.

Dar Javed – Research Scholar and works on Peace innitiatives in kashmir India. He writes on Polity Governance Art and Culture.