26th August 2025 (20 Topics)
1
Aug
2
Aug
4
Aug
5
Aug
6
Aug
7
Aug
8
Aug
9
Aug
11
Aug
12
Aug
13
Aug
14
Aug
15
Aug
16
Aug
18
Aug
19
Aug
20
Aug
21
Aug
22
Aug
23
Aug
25
Aug
26
Aug
Decline in Legislative Dignity
Context:
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressed the valedictory session of the Conference of Presiding Officers on the centenary year celebration of Shri Vitthalbhai Patel, highlighting concerns over declining dignity of legislative institutions.
Shri Vitthalbhai Patel’s Legacy:
- He was the first Indian to be elected President (Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925. He introduced reforms like creating an independent secretariat for the legislature, ensuring impartial functioning and free expression within the House. These principles later shaped constitutional provisions for Parliament’s independent secretariats (Article 98 for Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha).
Parliamentary Privileges:
- Members of Parliament and State Legislatures enjoy freedom of speech under Article 105 (Parliament) and Article 194 (State Legislatures). However, these freedoms are subject to the discipline of rules, procedures, and conventions. The Speaker under Rules of Procedure has authority to maintain decorum and order.
Role of Presiding Officer:
- The Speaker ensures neutrality, impartiality, and orderly conduct of business. The Presiding Officer’s rulings are binding and considered final in matters of discipline. The Rulings of Speaker hold importance as parliamentary conventions.
Constitutional Safeguards:
- Article 122 & 212: Courts cannot question the validity of parliamentary or legislative proceedings on grounds of procedural irregularities.
- Separation of Powers: Legislature functions as a deliberative body and law-making authority.
Current Relevance:
- Concerns over disruptions, unparliamentary expressions, and weakening of conventions directly impact the credibility and effectiveness of democratic institutions. Maintaining decorum is essential to uphold parliamentary democracy, one of the basic features of the Constitution as recognized in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) case
More Articles
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
