According to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, there was concrete information of a possible unpleasant incident near the Prime Minister’s seat on February 4 and 5. He cited aggressive movement by Opposition MPs toward the treasury benches and threatening language. On that basis, the Speaker advised Narendra Modi not to enter the House.
Now, if the Prime Minister is advised not to attend Parliament because the Speaker fears for his safety, doesn’t it reflects directly on the Prime Minister’s own administration.
The Indian Parliament is among the most secure spaces in the country. If the Prime Minister cannot be assured safety inside the Lok Sabha, what safety does his administration truly guarantee to 140 crore Indian citizens?
Why do foreign tours usually coincide with Parliament sessions?
Skipping Parliament to go on a foreign tour during an ongoing session is a direct disrespect to Parliament, democracy, and voters. Currently there is no constitutional prohibition on foreign travel during Parliament session, as diplomacy is part of executive duty. But, this exception cannot be used as an excuse to skip parliament. Democracy survives on accountability and presence.
Parliament is not optional.
No show for Parliament sessions should be treated as an offence, whether it is the Prime Minister, a Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, or any MP. When elected representatives treat Parliament casually, they are taking the voter casually.
Constitutional breach versus democratic breach
Like I mentioned, a “no show” in Parliament is not a constitutional offence. Under Article 101(4) of the Constitution, a Member of Parliament faces disqualification only if absent for sixty consecutive days without permission. There is no legal penalty for missing specific sittings, key debates, or even entire sessions. But democracy is not measured only by legal thresholds alone.
What may pass constitutional scrutiny still fails democratic responsibility. Parliament is the only arena where the executive is compelled to answer directly to the representatives of the people. When leaders stay away, or when disruptions make attendance impossible, the chain of accountability breaks. And when accountability breaks, democracy weakens.
You cannot claim democratic legitimacy while avoiding the very institution meant to hold you accountable. You cannot defend democracy by making Parliament look unsafe. And you cannot govern a republic by treating its highest institution as a inconvenience.
Taking Parliament for granted equals taking my vote for granted.
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