Chapter 3 WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT?

Why Should People Decide?

In a democracy, the government functions based on the consent of the people. This consent is given through elections, where citizens choose their representatives. The fundamental idea is that individuals and citizens are paramount, and public institutions must earn and maintain their trust. The right to vote, known as universal adult franchise, empowers people to elect or replace their representatives, ensuring that the government is accountable to its citizens and sensitive to their needs and demands. This participation is crucial for the functioning of a democratic government.

People And Their Representatives

In representative democracies, citizens elect representatives to the Parliament, who then form the government. The Parliament, comprising all these elected representatives, holds the authority to control and guide the government. This system ensures that people, through their chosen representatives, not only form the government but also hold it accountable. MLAs represent people from specific constituencies, and the political party with a majority forms the ruling party, while others constitute the opposition. This representative structure allows for participation in decision-making, even if indirect.

The Role Of The Parliament

To Select The National Government

After elections, the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) determines which political party or coalition has the majority of seats. The leader of the majority party or coalition becomes the Prime Minister, who then forms the government by selecting ministers to head various departments. The Rajya Sabha (the upper house) represents the states and also plays a role in law-making by reviewing and amending bills passed by the Lok Sabha.

To Control, Guide And Inform The Government

The Parliament exercises control over the executive through various mechanisms, most importantly the Question Hour. MPs can ask questions to ministers, alerting the government to shortcomings and gauging public opinion. The opposition parties play a vital role by scrutinizing government policies and proposing alternatives, thereby ensuring accountability and promoting healthy democratic functioning.

Law-Making

One of Parliament's primary functions is to make laws. Bills are introduced, debated, and passed by both houses of Parliament before becoming law, reflecting the collective will of the people's representatives.

Who Are The People In Parliament?

The Indian Parliament is increasingly composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural areas, regional parties, Dalit communities, and backward classes. This growing representation aims to ensure that the Parliament more accurately reflects the population it serves. However, the representation of women in Parliament remains low (just over 11%), raising questions about the comprehensiveness of the democratic system in ensuring equal representation for all segments of society.

Exercises

The exercises in this chapter aim to reinforce the understanding of Parliament's role and functioning in Indian democracy. They involve explaining concepts like constituency and representation, distinguishing between state and central government functions, filling in blanks about parliamentary terms, and discussing the rationale behind fixed election terms and people's participation beyond voting. Students are also encouraged to analyze election data and compare the working of Parliament with local governance structures, promoting a deeper understanding of democratic processes.