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2023 Special Session of the Parliament of India

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki


Rajya Sabha chamber in the New Parliament Building
Lok Sabha chamber in the New Parliament Building

The Indian Parliament Special Session, 2023 was a Special Session held in the Parliament of India from 18 to 22 September 2023. This 5-day assembly meet of MPs was announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on 31 August 2023.[1] This parliamentary gathering marked the 13th session of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st session of the Rajya Sabha.[2]

On 17 September, the Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar in presence of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla hoisted the National Flag of India on the top of Gaja Dwar, one day prior to the special session at the newly constructed Parliament House.[3][4] Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the event and expressed "disappointment" over receiving the invitation for the event "quite late". He scheduled Congress Working Committee meeting in Hyderabad on 16-17 September.[5]

As anticipated, this special session witnessed the transfer of parliamentary proceedings from the existing premises of British-era building to the New Parliament House in the national capital.[6][7] and this special session of Parliament did not include Question Hour, Zero Hour, or Private Member Business.[8][9]

On 21 September, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, one day earlier than planned, subsequent to the successful passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, officially the 128th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, with an overwhelming majority in both Houses. The Lok Sabha concluded the four sitting session lasting about a little more than 30 hours after a debate on Chandrayaan-3 mission. This special session in Lok Sabha saw a House productivity of 160 percent.[10]

Agenda[edit]

While the agenda for the House business was notified on 13 September, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs convened a meeting with the floor leaders of various political parties on 17th September. On the inaugural day, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha discussed Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings. Opposition parties criticized the early announcement without disclosing the agenda.[11]

The parliamentary bulletin showed the Post Office Bill, 2023; the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023; and the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 as legislative bills listed for business in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha listed additional discussion on the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 and the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023.[12]

Business[edit]

Day 1[edit]

The inaugural session commemorated the 75th anniversary of the parliamentary voyage, which commenced with the establishment of the Constituent Assembly. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha engaged in a discourse concerning the accomplishments, encounters, recollections, and insights gained over the past 75 years.[13]

Speaker Om Birla initiated the discussion in Lok Sabha and highlighted successful completion of G20 summit during India's presidency.[14]

During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the achievements of Chandrayaan-3 and G20 summit. He reflected upon noteworthy events spanning the past 75 years of the Indian Parliament and paid tribute to all former PMs. While highlighting the need and significance of moving to new Parliament building and remembering the legacy of old Parliament building, he suggested renaming the old Parliament as Samvidhan Sadan. Modi informed the house that his cabinet has cleared the long pending Women's Reservation Bill, 2023 which shall be called as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, a day before the commencement of special session.[15][16][17][18]

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, shared his sentiments on the Parliament building and emphasized on the significant role played by Nehru in fostering the advancement of Parliamentary democracy. He questioned the reason behind calling the special session without the routine Question Hour and Zero Hour.[19] DMK's T. R. Baalu downplayed the significance of this special session and tried to disassociate the Chandrayaan-3 success from the Modi Government.[20] Leader of the Trinamool Congress Party in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay spoke about his concerns on the essence of fraternity among fellow parliamentarians.[21] Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule criticized the government and recalled the efforts of Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley in Parliament for the Women's Reservation Bill.[22] Bhartruhari Mahtab from Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur Badal, DMK's A. Raja and Arun Sao of Bharatiya Janata Party also spoke in the Lok Sabha on Day 1.[23]

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar began the discussion in Upper House and remarked that the characteristic feature of a thriving democracy is the presence of constructive discourse in the Parliament. Every MP should thrive to achieve this by avoiding disruptive tactics and having fruitful debates. He spoke on the 75-year-long trajectory of the Indian Parliament, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's democratic landscape.[24] Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized the importance of eradicating corruption in order to make India a developed nation. He brought out the awful experiences of Emergency in India, the 2001 Parliament terror attack, the cash-for-votes scandal, and the parliamentary deliberations pertaining to the establishment of the state of Telangana. Furthermore, Goyal highlighted the crucial role of the Opposition in ensuring accountability and transparency in the government's actions.[25]

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge spoke on Nehru's inclusive approach towards political opponents in the Parliament and regretted the current situation in the national politics. He stated that the Congress has always strengthened India's democracy and its constitution. He raised the issue of PM Modi's absence in the Upper House.[26] Manoj Kumar Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal said the concept of democracy encompasses the crucial aspect of safeguarding against the potential tyranny that may arise from the majority. Kerala Congress (M) MP Jose K. Mani said the recent years have indisputably witnessed occurrences of undemocratic parliamentary methods and procedures that have posed a significant threat to the fundamental principles of democracy. DMK's Tiruchi Siva asserted that the available room for the opposition is gradually diminishing. Amar Patnaik, a member of the BJD, emphasized the significant role that states hold within the framework of parliamentary democracy. He further acknowledged the existence of challenges pertaining to financial relations, particularly concerning the devolution of funds. YSRCP's S. Niranjan Reddy raised his concern on the part of southern states having less representation in future parliament owing to delimitation process to be carried out on the basis of increased population of northern states. John Brittas, a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), asserted that as per the views expressed by B. R. Ambedkar, democracy should not be perceived merely as a system governed by the majority, but rather as a mechanism designed to safeguard the rights and interests of the minority. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Vaiko expressed his fear of India becoming a Hindu Rashtra and claimed that the establishment of the opposition INDI Alliance posed a significant challenge to the Modi government, compelling it to adopt the name 'Bharat' during the G20.[27]

The discussion witnessed the active participation of prominent political figures from various parties including Praful Patel from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bhubaneswar Kalita from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Birendra Prasad Baishya from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Nadimul Haque from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shaktisinh Gohil and Rajiv Shukla from the Indian National Congress, M. Thambidurai from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), K. Keshava Rao from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party (BRS), Vikramjit Singh Sahney from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Mamata Mohanta from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and G. K. Vasan from the Tamil Maanila Congress.[27]

Day 2[edit]

On the second day, the parliamentarians convened within the Central Hall of the Old Parliament. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the former Parliament building will henceforth be referred to as Samvidhan Sadan, coinciding with the relocation of Parliament's operations to its new premises on the 'auspicious day' of Ganesh Chaturthi.[28]

Performance[edit]

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had 4 sittings instead of 5 as per schedule. Only one Bill, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was discussed and passed in Parliament whereas five Bills were listed for the business. Both houses fulfilled their legislative duties, surpassing their respective scheduled time allocations by 137% in Lok Sabha and 128% in Rajya Sabha.[29]

Reactions[edit]

Delay in release of tentative agenda for the Special Session from official sources led to various assumptions across the political parties. Many saw convening of Parliament Special Session as something related to upcoming elections. The use at the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit of the term "Bharat" rather than "India" sparked speculation that some sort of attempted elevation of the name "Bharat" might be proposed.[30][31]

The session started on 18 September, seventy-four years exactly after a proposal to use "Bharat" as the country's name was proposed and defeated at the Constituent Assembly of India. The proposal was by H.V. Kamath of the All India Forward Bloc, and the amendment was ultimately defeated by a vote of 38 to 51. Political analysts say it may not be a coincidence that the special session has been called on the same date.[32]

Some speculated on the Government pushing for "one nation, one election" bill[33] while Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar guessed the current Lok Sabha might be dissolved to call for early national elections along with poll-bound states.[34] Pointing out the suspense over agenda, Jairam Ramesh said the government would throw "legislative grenades" during the special session.[35] Asaduddin Owaisi demanded for a discussion on Chinese incursion in the Ladakh region.[36] Mallikarjun Kharge termed the government decision without consulting opposition parties to convene special session of Parliament as an indicator of "dictatorship".[37] Sanjay Raut said the special session of Parliament called by the Government is an act "deceit" and termed it as "cheating with Ganpati Ji."[38] Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister raising the issues her party would like to have debate in the special session of the Parliament.[39] Rahul Gandhi linked the session to "panic" of government as he was raising the "uncomfortable" Adani issue in the Parliament.[40] Nana Patole asserted that the forthcoming parliamentary session has been convened with the purpose of declaring Mumbai as Union Territory and separating it from Maharashtra.[41]

Some hinted at Government bringing back the Women's Reservation Bill. The UPA led 15th Lok Sabha failed to pass the bill due to strong opposition from political parties, including Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal. It was suggested that BJP might "expose" ideological differences among the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.[42] Media reports emerged that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir might be restored in this special session.[43][44] Political commentators signaled the possibilities of government bringing the Uniform Civil Code, Universal Basic Income or the Presidential form of national elections.[45][46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Govt calls special session of Parliament later this month, gives no reason". The Indian Express. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Special Session of Parliament from September 18-22". cnbctv18.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "VP Jagdeep Dhankar to unfurl tricolour at new Parliament building day before special session". Northeast Live. 17 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Govt to convene All Party Meeting today, ahead of special session of Parliament". newsonair.gov.in. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Rajya Sabha Chairman hoists national flag at new Parliament building". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Indian MPs move to new parliament building as gov't holds special session". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Govt releases agenda of Parliament's Special Session starting from 18 September". mint. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "No Question Hour, Zero Hour in special session of Parliament: Sources". First India. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Parliament special session: Very few instances of Question Hour being scrapped". The Indian Express. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Parliament Special Session adjourned sine die, a day ahead of schedule". Financialexpress. 22 September 2023.
  11. ↑ Joy, Shemin (13 September 2023). "Centre releases agenda for Special Session of Parliament: Details here". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (13 September 2023). "Special Session to debate Parliament's 75-year journey, take up Bills". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Parliament Special Session: MPs Recall 75-Yr History on Last Day in Old Building". TheQuint. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Speaker Om Birla lauds PM's 'visionary' leadership for success of G20 Summit". The Pioneer. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "Tributes paid to India's parliament at special session". BBC News. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  16. ↑ "Special session: Modi introduces women's bill in new India parliament". BBC News. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  17. ↑ "'Samvidhan Sadan' for old Parliament building: PM proposes new name". India Today. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  18. ↑ Chakrabarty, Sandeep Phukan & Sreeparna (19 September 2023). "Women's Reservation Bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' introduced by the Indian Government in Lok Sabha". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "Don't understand if this is a special session or normal: LoP Chowdhury". Business Standard. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Fear in people's minds about one party dictatorship being imposed: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury". PTI. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay expresses concern over declining brotherhood among MPs". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Special Parliament Session: Supriya Sule hits back at PM Modi; remembers Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley". Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Evening News 2100 Hrs 18.09.2023". newsonair.gov.in. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Strategy of weaponising disruption will never be accepted by people, says Rajya Sabha Chairman". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Union minister Piyush Goyal asks MPs to make India free from corruption". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Nehru's outlook was inclusive, took Opposition along: Mallikarjun Kharge". The Hindu. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Opposition members in Rajya Sabha accuse govt of indulging in majoritarianism". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "Old Parliament building renamed 'Samvidhan Sadan'". BusinessLine. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "Plan vs Performance". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  30. ↑ Kaushik, Krishn (6 September 2023). "Is India changing its name to Bharat? G20 invite controversy explained". Reuters. Retrieved 15 September 2023. ..... the government announced a surprise five-day special session of parliament later this month, without disclosing any agenda. The move prompted unconfirmed reports that a change of name could be discussed and passed during the session. There has been no confirmation that such a move is in the works, but members of the government and the ruling BJP have suggested that the name Bharat should take primacy over India.
  31. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (5 September 2023). "Bharat G20 invitation fuels rumours India may change name". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2023. India hosts the G20 summit this weekend, and world leaders have received an invitation to a state dinner hosted by the "president of Bharat". Modi himself typically refers to India as Bharat, a word dating back to ancient Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit, and one of two official names for the country under its constitution. Members of his Hindu nationalist ruling party, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), have previously campaigned against using the name India, which has its roots in western antiquity and was imposed during the British conquest. The government has called a special session of parliament for later in the month, but remains tight-lipped about its legislative agenda, but the broadcaster News18 said unnamed government sources had told it that BJP lawmakers would put forward a special resolution to give precedence to the name Bharat. Rumours of the plan were met with a mix of opposition and enthusiastic support.
  32. ↑ Chhabra, Rahul (16 September 2023). "Constituent Assembly debated Bharat-India on 18 Sept 1949; special session on 18 Sept 2023". The Sunday Guardian Live. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  33. ↑ "India ponders simultaneous federal, state polls to save time". Reuters. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has called a surprise, special five-day session of parliament from Sept. 18 to 22 but has not disclosed the agenda. Media have reported that the "one nation, one election" move could be introduced this session but (Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad) Joshi, when asked about it, said the agenda would be made known later. Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has for long pushed the idea of combining state and federal elections as it would also help cut the cost of conducting polls in the world's most populous country.
  34. ↑ Sinha, Shishir (31 August 2023). "Special session of Parliament may see bills for One Nation-One Election, Women Reservation". BusinessLine. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  35. ↑ "Much ado about nothing: Jairam Ramesh on Parliament session agenda". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  36. ↑ Mohammed, Syed (1 September 2023). "Parliament special session should include discussion on Chinese transgressions: Owaisi". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  37. ↑ "'India becoming a dictatorship... no special session of Parliament when Manipur was burning': Kharge hits out at PM Modi". The Indian Express. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  38. ↑ "'Deceit, cheating with Ganpati Ji': Sanjay Raut slams special Parliament session". India Today. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "Sonia Gandhi writes to PM on special session, flags Manipur, Adani, caste census for discussion". The Indian Express. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  40. ↑ "Government convenes Special Session of Parliament, speculations on agenda arise". mint. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  41. ↑ "Nana Patole: Special session of Parliament a ploy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra". The Indian Express. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  42. ↑ Athrady, Ajith. "Parliament special session likely to take up Women's Reservation Bill". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  43. ↑ "The Special Session of Parliament: Could it be About J&K?". NewsClick. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  44. ↑ "Special session: CEC bill, Parl's 75-year history on the agenda". Hindustan Times. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  45. ↑ Chawla, Prabhu. "Surprise parliamentary session another Modi adventurism". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  46. ↑ "India may introduce 'One Nation, One Election' Bill in special session of Parliament — social media reacts". cnbctv18.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.


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