Monsoon session washout: Editors debate Parliament breakdown on Democratic Newsroom

In this edition of The Democratic Newsroom, editors Raj Chengappa, Rajdeep Sardesai, Gaurav Sawant, Moushumi Singh, and Preeti Choudhry discuss the complete washout of the monsoon parliamentary session. The panel examines who holds Parliament to ransom amidst low productivity, where the Lok Sabha recorded 19 percent productivity and the Rajya Sabha recorded 39 percent. Discussions highlight the sequence of opposition demands, including discussions on NEET, paper leaks, and the lathi charge, alongside shifting goalposts from both sides. The editors note that nine bills were passed in 37 minutes without debate, while key legislations like the FCRA bill were referred to Joint Parliamentary Committees. The conversation addresses the growing trust deficit between the treasury benches and the opposition, the lack of dialogue, recent political defections, and street protests across the country, comparing the current situation with past parliamentary practices.