🗳️ PART 1: Why Do We Need a Parliament?
AI PROMPT FOR IMAGE: A dual-panel illustration. Left panel: An Indian citizen proudly pressing a button on an EVM (voting). Right panel: The majestic circular interior of the Lok Sabha with elected Members of Parliament (MPs) debating. Symbolizing 'People's Power' translating to 'Governance'.
We in India pride ourselves on being a democracy. The basic idea in a democracy is that the individual or the citizen is the most important person, and that the government needs to have the trust of these citizens.
How does the individual give approval?
- Through elections based on universal adult franchise (all adults can vote).
- People elect their representatives to the Parliament. One group from these elected representatives forms the government.
- The Parliament controls and guides the government. The Parliament is the supreme law-making institution. It consists of the President, Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha.
🏢 PART 2: Functions of the Parliament
1. To Select the National Government
| House | Details and Selection Process |
|---|---|
| Lok Sabha (House of the People) |
|
| Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
|
2. To Control, Guide and Inform the Government
The Parliament begins with a question hour. MPs ask questions to the government about its functioning. The opposition parties highlight drawbacks in government policies, keeping the ruling party in check.
📜 PART 3: The Making of Laws and The Rule of Law
AI PROMPT FOR IMAGE: Lady Justice holding her scales evenly in the foreground. In the background, citizens are peacefully protesting holding signs reading 'Change the Law'. Depicting the balance between established law and democratic right to dissent.
How Do New Laws Come About?
- Usually, different groups in society raise the need for a particular law based on the problems they face.
- This voice is heard through TV reports, newspaper editorials, and public meetings.
- Example: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 was passed because women's groups held hearings, wrote petitions, and drafted a Bill over many years demanding action.
🚫 PART 4: Unpopular and Controversial Laws
Sometimes the Parliament passes laws that turn out to be very unpopular. A law can be constitutionally valid (legal) but unacceptable to people if it feels unfair.
- In a democracy, citizens can express their unwillingness to accept repressive laws.
- They hold public meetings, write in newspapers, report to TV channels, or peacefully protest.
- When many people feel a wrong law has been passed, there is pressure on the Parliament to change it.
📌 Chapter Summary
- Parliament's Role: It represents the people (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) to select the national government, make laws, and hold the executive accountable via Question Hour.
- Representation: Seats are reserved for SCs/STs to ensure historically marginalised voices are included.
- Rule of Law: Establishes equality before the law, contrasting with arbitrary colonial laws.
- Law-Making Process: Voices from the grassroots (media, protests) push Parliament to draft and pass necessary laws (e.g., Domestic Violence Act).
- Dissent: Citizens have a democratic duty to protest peacefully against mathematically legal but socially unjust or unpopular laws.