6. The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive – Textbook Solutions

The Big Questions (Page 139)

1. What is India’s parliamentary system, and how is it structured?

Answer: India’s parliamentary system is a democratic framework where the government is accountable to the Parliament, which represents the people’s will through elected representatives. It is based on universal adult franchise, federalism, and the separation of powers. The system draws from global models like Britain’s parliamentary democracy, enriched by India’s traditions of collective decision-making (e.g., village panchayats) and the experience of freedom fighters.

Structure of Parliament (Union Level): The Indian Parliament is bicameral, comprising:

Lok Sabha (House of the People): The lower house with 543 directly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) chosen through universal adult franchise in constituencies. MPs serve five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier.
Rajya Sabha (Council of States): The upper house with 245 members, of which 233 are indirectly elected by state legislative assemblies (MLAs) using the single transferable vote system, and 12 are nominated by the President for expertise. Members serve six-year terms, with one-third retiring every two years, making it a permanent house.
President: The Head of State, elected indirectly by an Electoral College of MPs and MLAs, who signs bills into law and appoints the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Union Executive: Includes the President, Prime Minister (leader of the majority party/coalition in Lok Sabha), and Council of Ministers (drawn from both houses), responsible for implementing laws and running the government. They are accountable to the Lok Sabha.
State Level: Mirrors the union structure with:
(i) State Legislature: Unicameral (Vidhan Sabha) or bicameral (Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad, in six states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh). MLAs are directly elected, while Vidhan Parishad members are indirectly elected or nominated.
(ii) State Executive: Includes the Governor (appointed by the President), Chief Minister (leader of the majority in Vidhan Sabha), and Council of Ministers, accountable to the state legislature.
Federalism: Power is shared between the Union and states through the Union List (e.g., defence), State List (e.g., police), and Concurrent List (e.g., education), with Union law prevailing in conflicts.

2. What are the key functions of the Parliament?

Answer: The Indian Parliament, as the core of governance, performs four key functions:

Constitutional Function: Protects the Constitution’s principles, including universal adult franchise, federalism, Fundamental Rights (e.g., freedom, equality), and Directive Principles of State Policy. It ensures laws and policies uphold democratic values and fairness, supporting the separation of powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Lawmaking: The primary role is to create laws through a structured process where bills are introduced, debated, and passed in both houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) before receiving Presidential assent to become acts. For example, the Right to Education Act, 2009, followed this process, ensuring free education for children aged 6–14. Money Bills, addressing taxation or borrowing, are introduced only in the Lok Sabha with the President’s recommendation.
Executive Accountability: Ensures the Union Executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is answerable to the Lok Sabha. Through mechanisms like the Question Hour, where MPs question ministers on policies, and special committees with cross-party representation, the Parliament scrutinises government actions, promoting transparency and responsibility.
Financial Accountability: Approves the annual budget, examines fund allocation across ministries, and ensures government spending is transparent and justified. This oversight prevents misuse of public funds, as the government must provide accurate financial reports to Parliament.

These functions collectively strengthen democracy by making laws, holding the government accountable, and ensuring resources are used wisely, reflecting the people’s mandate.

3. What are the roles of the legislature and the executive in India’s Parliamentary democracy?

Answer: In India’s parliamentary democracy, the legislature and executive have distinct but interconnected roles, ensuring governance aligns with the people’s will and the Constitution:

Legislature (Parliament and State Assemblies):

Lawmaking: The Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and state legislatures (Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Parishad in bicameral states) create laws for the Union List, State List, or Concurrent List. For example, the Lok Sabha passed the Right to Education Act, 2009, based on Article 21A.
Representation: Represents the people (Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha) and states (Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Parishad), ensuring diverse voices shape policies. The Lok Sabha reflects direct public will, while the Rajya Sabha balances state interests.
Oversight: Holds the executive accountable through Question Hour, committees, and budget approvals. For instance, MPs question ministers on policies, ensuring transparency.
Leadership Roles: The Lok Sabha elects a Speaker to manage sessions, while the Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice President, maintaining order and fairness in debates.

Executive (Union and State Levels):

Implementation: The Union Executive (President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers) and State Executive (Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers) enforce laws and run daily governance. The Council of Ministers, drawn from Parliament or state legislatures, makes policy decisions.
Leadership: The Prime Minister (Union) or Chief Minister (state) leads the executive, advising the President or Governor and coordinating ministries. For example, the Prime Minister shapes national policies, as seen in budget presentations.
Accountability: The executive is collectively responsible to the legislature (Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha). Ministers must answer MPs’ questions and justify actions, as exemplified by Lal Bahadur Shastri’s resignation in 1956 over a train accident.
Administrative Support: Civil servants assist the executive in implementing laws and managing departments, ensuring smooth governance.

The legislature creates the legal framework, while the executive implements it, with accountability to the legislature, ensuring checks and balances in India’s democracy.

4. How are the legislature and the executive organised at the union and state levels?

Answer: The legislature and executive in India are organised at the union and state levels with parallel structures, reflecting federalism and democratic accountability:

Union Level:
Legislature (Parliament):

Lok Sabha: 543 MPs directly elected via universal adult franchise for five-year terms. The Speaker manages sessions, ensuring discipline and fairness.
Rajya Sabha: 245 members (233 elected by state MLAs, 12 nominated by the President) with six-year terms, one-third retiring every two years. The Vice President chairs sessions.
Functions: Makes laws (Union and Concurrent Lists), oversees the executive, approves budgets, and upholds constitutional principles.

Executive (Union Executive):

President: Head of State, elected indirectly by MPs and MLAs, appoints the Prime Minister, signs bills, and summons Parliament. Usually follows the Council of Ministers’ advice but can act independently in rare cases (e.g., no majority).
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: The Prime Minister, leader of the Lok Sabha majority, heads the Council of Ministers (MPs from both houses), which implements laws and runs the government. Accountable to the Lok Sabha.
Civil Servants: Support ministers in policy execution and administration.

State Level:
Legislature (State Legislature):

Vidhan Sabha: Directly elected MLAs serve five-year terms, making laws for the State and Concurrent Lists. A Speaker manages proceedings.
Vidhan Parishad (in six states): Indirectly elected or nominated members, similar to Rajya Sabha, with six-year terms. Only Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh have bicameral legislatures; others are unicameral.
Functions: Similar to Parliament, including lawmaking, executive oversight, and budget approval, but focused on state-specific issues.

Executive (State Executive):

Governor: Appointed by the President, acts as the state’s ceremonial head, appoints the Chief Minister, and assents to state bills.
Chief Minister and Council of Ministers: The Chief Minister, leader of the Vidhan Sabha majority, heads the Council of Ministers (MLAs), implementing state laws and policies. Accountable to the Vidhan Sabha.
Civil Servants: Assist in executing state policies and managing departments.

This parallel structure ensures representation and governance at both levels, with the Union prevailing in Concurrent List conflicts, balancing national unity and state autonomy.

Questions and Activities (Page 161-162)

1. Find out how many representatives from your state are in each House of the Parliament.

Answer: Assuming Karnataka as the state (based on your previous mention of Rani Abbakka), I’ll provide the number of representatives in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Since I lack direct access to real-time data, I’ll use standard allocation, which aligns with Karnataka’s representation as of 2025.

Lok Sabha: Karnataka has 28 seats in the Lok Sabha, as allocated based on its population and constituencies. These MPs are directly elected through universal adult franchise in constituencies like Bangalore South, Mangalore, and Mysore.
Rajya Sabha: Karnataka has 12 seats in the Rajya Sabha, with members indirectly elected by the state’s MLAs using the single transferable vote system. The number reflects Karnataka’s population size relative to other states (e.g., Uttar Pradesh has 31 seats).

How to Verify: Check the official websites of the Lok Sabha (loksabha.nic.in) or Rajya Sabha (rajyasabha.nic.in) for the exact list of Karnataka’s MPs. Alternatively, refer to the Election Commission of India (eci.gov.in) for constituency details from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

2. What makes the Indian Parliament the “voice of the people”? How does it ensure that different opinions are heard?

Answer: The Indian Parliament is the “voice of the people” because it represents the collective will of India’s diverse population through elected representatives. Its structure and functions ensure democratic participation and inclusivity:

Universal Adult Franchise: Every citizen aged 18 and above can vote for Lok Sabha MPs, ensuring the Parliament reflects the people’s mandate. The 18th Lok Sabha (2024) represents 980 million eligible voters, making it a direct expression of public will.
Bicameral Representation: The Lok Sabha represents the people directly, while the Rajya Sabha ensures state voices are heard, balancing national and regional interests. This federal structure, rooted in the Constitution, accommodates India’s diversity.
Diverse Representation: With 543 Lok Sabha and 245 Rajya Sabha members, including reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (84) and Scheduled Tribes (47), the Parliament amplifies marginalised voices, as noted in prior chapters.

Ensuring Different Opinions Are Heard:

Debates and Discussions: The Lok Sabha (led by the Speaker) and Rajya Sabha (chaired by the Vice President) provide platforms for MPs to debate bills, policies, and issues, as seen in the Question Hour where ministers address MPs’ concerns.
Translation Services: Simultaneous interpretation in 18 languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bodo) ensures MPs from diverse linguistic backgrounds can participate, promoting inclusivity.
Committees: Cross-party committees scrutinise bills and policies, incorporating varied perspectives before laws are passed, as in the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Public Engagement: Media coverage, including cartoons, and digital platforms allow citizens to follow debates, encouraging diverse input, as noted in the challenges section.
Poetry and Humour: Light-hearted exchanges, like Sushma Swaraj’s and Manmohan Singh’s poetic quotes in 2011, make debates accessible and engaging, reflecting diverse communication styles.

3. Why do you think the Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature?

Answer: The Constitution makes the Executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at the Union level, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers at the state level) responsible to the Legislature (Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha) to ensure accountability, democratic legitimacy, and adherence to the people’s will:

Democratic Accountability: The Executive is drawn from the Legislature (MPs or MLAs), and its collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha ensures it remains answerable to elected representatives, who reflect the public’s mandate through universal adult franchise. This prevents authoritarianism, as the Executive must maintain the confidence of the majority in the lower house.
Checks and Balances: The separation of powers requires the Legislature to check the Executive’s actions. Tools like the Question Hour and committees allow MPs/MLAs to scrutinise policies, as seen in ministers answering questions on government decisions, ensuring transparency.
Public Trust: By requiring the Executive to justify its actions (e.g., Lal Bahadur Shastri’s resignation in 1956 over a train accident), the system builds trust in governance, showing leaders are accountable to the people’s representatives.
Policy Alignment: The Executive’s dependence on legislative approval (e.g., for budgets or bills) ensures policies align with public needs, as MPs/MLAs raise constituency issues, reflecting India’s diverse priorities.
Preventing Power Abuse: If the Executive loses the Legislature’s confidence (e.g., through a no-confidence motion), it must resign, preventing unchecked power, as rooted in the parliamentary system’s design.

This structure, inspired by Britain’s parliamentary model and India’s freedom struggle, ensures the Executive serves the people through legislative oversight, strengthening democracy.

4. Why do you think we have chosen the system of bicameral legislature at the Union level?

Answer: The bicameral legislature at the Union level (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) was chosen to balance representation, federalism, and legislative efficiency in India’s diverse democracy:

Federalism: India’s federal system shares power between the Union and states. The Rajya Sabha, representing states, ensures regional interests are considered in national lawmaking, complementing the Lok Sabha’s direct representation of the people. This balances national unity with state autonomy, critical for a diverse country.
Diverse Representation: The Constitution-makers felt a single house was insufficient for India’s complex challenges. The Rajya Sabha’s indirect election by state MLAs ensures smaller states have a voice, unlike the population-based Lok Sabha.
Legislative Review: The bicameral system allows the Rajya Sabha to review and revise bills passed by the Lok Sabha, preventing hasty legislation. For example, the Right to Education bill was reviewed by a Rajya Sabha committee before passage.
Continuity: The Rajya Sabha, as a permanent house with staggered six-year terms, provides stability, unlike the Lok Sabha, which can dissolve early. This ensures legislative continuity during political transitions.
Expertise: The President’s nomination of 12 Rajya Sabha members for their expertise (e.g., in arts or science) adds specialised perspectives, enhancing debate quality.

Inspired by global models and India’s mahājanapadas and panchayats, the bicameral system ensures inclusive, balanced, and robust lawmaking for India’s diverse population.

5. Try to track the journey of a recent bill passed by the Parliament. Identify in which House it was introduced. Were there any major debates or disagreements? How long did it take for the bill to become a law? Use newspaper archives, government websites, and Lok Sabha debates, or ask your teacher for help.

Answer: Journey of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, is a significant legislative reform passed by the Indian Parliament to modernise and consolidate laws governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in India. This document traces the bill’s journey through Parliament, detailing its introduction, major debates, timeline to becoming law, and resources for further research.

(i) Introduction in the House

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) on March 11, 2025, during the Budget Session of Parliament. Presented as a Government Bill by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, it aimed to replace four outdated laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreigners Act, 1946, and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. The bill sought to streamline visa processes, enhance national security, and establish modern institutions like the National Immigration Authority (NIA) and the Bureau of Immigration.

(ii) Legislative Process- The bill followed the standard legislative process in the Indian Parliament, involving three readings in each House, committee scrutiny, and Presidential assent:

First Reading (March 11, 2025): The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and published in the Gazette of India, with no debate, as per standard procedure for the first reading.
Second Reading: The Lok Sabha held a general discussion, followed by referral to a Standing Committee for detailed review. The committee examined key provisions, including visa regulations, the establishment of the Bureau of Immigration, and penalties for non-compliance. After incorporating committee recommendations, the bill underwent clause-by-clause consideration.
Third Reading: The Lok Sabha debated and passed the bill on March 27, 2025, with a simple majority of members present and voting.
Rajya Sabha Consideration: The bill was transmitted to the Rajya Sabha, where it underwent similar readings and debates. It was passed on April 2, 2025, without significant amendments, as it was neither a Money Bill nor a Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Presidential Assent: After approval by both Houses, the bill was sent to the President of India, who granted assent on April 4, 2025, enacting the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The Act will come into force on a date notified by the central government.

(iii) Major Debates and Disagreements- The bill sparked robust debates in both Houses, reflecting diverse perspectives on national security, individual rights, and implementation. Key points of contention included:

Fundamental Rights: Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, leading the Rajya Sabha discussion, argued that certain provisions infringed on foreigners’ fundamental rights, advocating for amendments to ensure fairness. He emphasised balancing security with humanitarian considerations.
National Security vs. Compassion: BJP MP Rekha Sharma supported the bill, highlighting weaknesses in previous immigration laws, particularly regarding illegal immigration from Bangladesh. She argued that while India has historically welcomed refugees (e.g., Hindus from Pakistan and Afghanistan), the bill was essential to secure borders against illegal entrants.
Stringent Penalties: The bill increased penalties for violations, such as entering India without valid documents (up to five years’ imprisonment and ₹5 lakh fine) and using forged passports or visas (up to seven years’ imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine). Some MPs questioned the proportionality of these penalties, while others supported them as necessary deterrents.
Implementation Challenges: Concerns were raised about the practicality of establishing new institutions like the NIA and Bureau of Immigration, as well as mandatory reporting requirements for educational and medical institutions. Critics highlighted potential bureaucratic burdens, while Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised digitisation through the Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) system, which aims to reduce immigration processing times.
Illegal Immigration: Shah underscored the bill’s role in curbing illegal immigration, particularly by Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, and combating drug cartels, stating, “India is not a dharamshala.” This stance drew criticism from opposition members for potentially xenophobic undertones, though they supported the bill’s modernisation goals.

Despite these debates, the bill enjoyed broad support due to its alignment with national security and modernisation objectives. Disagreements were addressed through constructive discussions, and the government’s majority in the Lok Sabha and coalition support in the Rajya Sabha ensured smooth passage.

(iv) Timeline to Become Law

Introduction in Lok Sabha: March 11, 2025
Passage in Lok Sabha: March 27, 2025
Passage in Rajya Sabha: April 2, 2025
Presidential Assent: April 4, 2025
Total Time: 24 days from introduction to assent

You can explore the following government websites for detailed information on the bill and the legislative process:

Sansad.in (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha): Access official debate transcripts for March 27, 2025 (Lok Sabha) and April 2, 2025 (Rajya Sabha), as well as the bill’s full text. URLs: lok.sansad.in and raj.sansad.in.
PRS Legislative Research: Provides bill summaries, committee reports, and legislative briefs. URL: prsindia.org.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): Offers government press releases and updates on the bill’s objectives and passage. URL: pib.gov.in.
Ministry of Home Affairs: Details policies related to immigration and foreigners’ registration. URL: mha.gov.in.

6. Choose a recent law passed by the Parliament. Divide into teams to role-play different parts of the process — MPs debating in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, ministers answering questions, and the President giving assent. Present a short skit showing how a bill becomes a law; enact a ‘model Parliament’.

Answer: Skit: Model Parliament – Passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023

Setting: New Parliament Building, September 2023. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers, with MPs, ministers, and the President’s office. Teams include Lok Sabha MPs, Rajya Sabha MPs, the Law Minister, Speaker, Vice President (as Rajya Sabha Chairperson), and President.
Characters:

Speaker (Lok Sabha)
Law Minister (introduces bill)
Lok Sabha MPs (Pro-Government, Opposition, Independent)
Vice President (Rajya Sabha Chairperson)
Rajya Sabha MPs (State Representatives)
President (for assent)

Scene 1: Lok Sabha – Bill Introduction (September 19, 2023)

Speaker: Order, order! The House will now consider the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, for women’s reservation. The Law Minister may introduce the bill.
Law Minister: Hon’ble Speaker, this bill reserves one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, fulfilling our constitutional commitment to equality, as seen in the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Pro-Government MP: This bill empowers women, building on India’s universal franchise legacy. It will strengthen democracy!
Opposition MP: We support it but demand sub-quotas for OBC and SC/ST women. Why delay implementation until delimitation?
Independent MP: Funding and timelines need clarity. A committee must review this, like the RTE process.
Speaker: The bill is open for debate. A committee will examine concerns. Vote tomorrow.

Scene 2: Lok Sabha – Passage (September 20, 2023)

Speaker: After committee review, the bill is put to a vote. All in favour?
MPs (Majority): Aye!
Speaker: With 454 votes in favour, the bill passes. Forwarded to Rajya Sabha.

Scene 3: Rajya Sabha – Debate and Passage (September 21, 2023)

Vice President (Chairperson): The Women’s Reservation Bill is now before the Rajya Sabha. State representatives, your views?
State MP 1 (Large State): This ensures gender equality but needs clear implementation timelines.
State MP 2 (Small State): Smaller states support it, but funding for electoral changes must be equitable.
Vice President: After debate, the vote. All in favour?
MPs: Aye! (214 votes in favour)
Vice President: The bill passes. Sent to the President.

Scene 4: President’s Office – Assent (September 28, 2023)

President: After review, I assent to the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, making it law. This upholds our Constitution’s spirit, like the Sengol symbolising righteous governance.
Aide: The act will transform India’s democracy, ensuring women’s voices are heard.

Narrator: The bill, born from public demand, navigated debates, committees, and votes in both houses, becoming law in 10 days, showcasing India’s parliamentary democracy.
Performance Notes: Assign teams to roles (5–6 students per team). Use props like a gavel for the Speaker, a mock bill document, and a gold-plated Sengol replica. Encourage MPs to use poetic quotes (e.g., Tirukkural, as in the 2025 budget) for authenticity. Perform in 10–15 minutes, emphasising debate, voting, and assent stages.

7. The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, was passed with wide support. Why might it have taken over 25 years for this bill to be passed, despite being discussed for so long?

Answer: The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, took over 25 years to pass due to a combination of political, social, and logistical challenges, despite its wide support:

Political Disagreements: Since its introduction in 1996 (as the 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill), parties disagreed on implementation details, such as sub-quotas for OBCs and SC/ST women. Some parties feared losing male-dominated seats, delaying the consensus of the bill’s long discussion.
Complex Legislative Process: The meticulous process of passing bills, involving debates, committees, and votes in both houses. Earlier versions (e.g., 1996, 2008) faced stalled debates or lapsed due to Lok Sabha dissolutions, requiring reintroduction.
Social Resistance: Patriarchal attitudes in some political and social circles resisted women’s reservation, fearing it would disrupt traditional power structures, despite India’s early adoption of women’s voting rights.
Logistical Concerns: The funding and infrastructure challenges, as with the Right to Education Act. The 2023 bill’s link to delimitation and census exercises raised concerns about electoral logistics, delaying agreement until 2023’s special session.
Lack of Political Will: Despite broad support, successive governments prioritised other issues (e.g., economic reforms), sidelining the bill. The 2023 passage, during a special session, reflects a rare political alignment, possibly driven by electoral strategy or public pressure.

The bill’s passage in 2023, after decades, shows the Parliament’s ability to overcome barriers through persistent debate and public demand, emphasising inclusive lawmaking.

8. Sometimes the Parliament is disrupted and does not function for the number of days it is supposed to. What impact do you think this has on the quality of laws and the trust people place in their representatives?

Answer: Parliamentary disruptions, where sessions are stalled due to protests, walkouts, or unruly behaviour, significantly affect the quality of laws and public trust in representatives:
Impact on Quality of Laws:

Delayed Legislation: Disruptions shorten session times (e.g., Budget, Monsoon, Winter Sessions), delaying bills, as seen with the Women’s Reservation Bill’s 25-year wait. This rushed process can lead to poorly drafted laws with inadequate debate, reducing their effectiveness.
Limited Scrutiny: The importance of debates and committees in refining bills (e.g., Right to Education Act). Disruptions curtail Question Hour and committee reviews, risking laws that overlook public needs or logistical issues.
Biased Debates: Angry or biased debates, noted as a concern, shift focus from policy solutions to political point-scoring, lowering the quality of legislative outcomes.

Impact on Public Trust:

Erosion of Confidence: Frequent disruptions, reported by media (including cartoons), portray MPs as unprofessional, undermining trust in their ability to represent people, especially when criminal cases against some MPs have already raised concerns.
Perceived Inefficiency: When sessions meant for lawmaking or budget approval are cut short, citizens question the Parliament’s effectiveness, reducing faith in democracy, as Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s quote emphasises the need for enduring democratic values.
Voter Disengagement: Disruptions signal to future voters (e.g., students) that representatives prioritise politics over governance, potentially lowering voter turnout, especially in urban areas, as noted in prior chapters.
Solutions: The citizens’ active participation, media scrutiny, and young leaders can push for productive sessions. Encouraging constructive debates and stricter rules for attendance, as implied, could enhance law quality and restore trust.

Disruptions weaken the Parliament’s role as the “voice of the people,” but informed public engagement, as emphasised, can strengthen its democratic function.

9. Can you create ‘interest’ groups among students and list questions related to any policy that you may want to ask your MP and/or your MLA? How would these questions be different if it were the MP instead of the MLA, and vice versa?

Answer: Hypothetical student interest groups focused on the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and list questions for MPs and MLAs. Here is the explanation of the differences based on their roles (Union vs. State List responsibilities).
Interest Groups (Among Students):

Education Access Group: Focuses on ensuring all children, especially in rural or marginalised communities, have access to free education.
School Infrastructure Group: Advocates for better school facilities, like classrooms, libraries, and digital tools.
Teacher Training Group: Emphasises improving teacher quality and training to enhance learning outcomes.

Questions for MP (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha):

Education Access Group: How is the central government ensuring the RTE Act’s mandate of free education for all 6–14-year-olds is implemented in remote areas, as per Article 21A?
School Infrastructure Group: What steps is the Union government taking to increase funding for school infrastructure, as the RTE Act faced funding concerns during its passage?
Teacher Training Group: How does the Ministry of Education plan to standardise teacher training nationwide to meet RTE goals, given its Concurrent List status?
General: What new central policies are planned to expand RTE to include secondary education, building on the 86th Constitutional Amendment?

Questions for MLA (Vidhan Sabha):

Education Access Group: What measures is our state (e.g., Karnataka) taking to ensure no child is denied RTE benefits due to local administrative delays?
School Infrastructure Group: How is the state government upgrading school facilities in our constituency to meet RTE standards, like providing free books and uniforms?
Teacher Training Group: What state-specific programs exist to train teachers in our Vidhan Sabha constituency to improve RTE implementation?
General: How is the state addressing dropout rates among SC/ST students under the RTE Act, given its responsibility for local education?

Differences in Questions:

MP Questions (Union Level): Focus on national policies, funding, and Concurrent List oversight (e.g., RTE’s legal framework, central budgets). MPs influence Union List subjects (e.g., national education schemes) and broader constitutional amendments, as seen in the 86th Amendment.
MLA Questions (State Level): Target state-specific implementation, local infrastructure, and State List responsibilities (e.g., school management, teacher recruitment). MLAs address constituency-level issues, ensuring RTE’s grassroots execution, as states handle local governance.
Overlap: Since education is on the Concurrent List, both MPs and MLAs address RTE, but MPs focus on policy design and funding, while MLAs emphasise execution and local challenges.

Implementation Notes: Form groups of 4–5 students per interest area. Use class discussions to refine questions, then submit them via letters or digital platforms (e.g., mygov.in) to MPs/MLAs. Encourage emphasis on public participation to engage with representatives effectively.

10. What is the role that the Judiciary plays in Indian democracy? What could happen if we didn’t have an independent judiciary?

Answer: Role of the Judiciary: The Judiciary is a vital pillar of Indian democracy, ensuring fairness, constitutional adherence, and protection of rights through courts:

Interprets and Applies Laws: The Judiciary resolves disputes by interpreting laws, ensuring they are applied fairly, as seen in its role in recognising education as a Fundamental Right, leading to the RTE Act, 2009.
Guardian of the Constitution: It ensures that laws passed by the Parliament and actions by the Executive comply with the Constitution, safeguarding principles like federalism and Fundamental Rights.
Protects Fundamental Rights: The Judiciary upholds rights like freedom and equality, addressing violations through public interest litigations or court rulings, ensuring justice for citizens.
Checks and Balances: As part of the separation of powers, it prevents the Legislature and Executive from overstepping their authority. For example, it can strike down unconstitutional laws or executive actions, maintaining democratic balance.
Resolves Disputes: By settling conflicts between individuals, groups, or governments, it maintains social and political stability, supporting the Parliament’s legislative goals.

Consequences of No Independent Judiciary: Without an independent judiciary, India’s democracy would face severe risks to checks and balances:

Unchecked Power: The Legislature and Executive could pass arbitrary laws or policies, violating Fundamental Rights or federalism, leading to authoritarianism. For instance, without judicial review, the RTE Act’s constitutional basis (Article 21A) could be ignored.
Erosion of Rights: Citizens would lose protection against rights violations, as no independent body would address grievances, weakening democratic trust, as Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s quote emphasises enduring democracy.
Conflict Escalation: Disputes between states or citizens could escalate without judicial resolution, threatening federal unity and social harmony.
Corruption and Injustice: An executive-controlled judiciary could enable corruption or favouritism, as seen in concerns about criminal MPs, reducing public faith in governance.
Legislative Inefficiency: Without judicial oversight, poorly drafted or unconstitutional laws could proliferate, especially during parliamentary disruptions, harming governance quality.

The Judiciary’s independence, as a constitutional safeguard, ensures democracy remains fair and accountable, protecting India’s diverse society from unchecked power.