Our Parliament Must Get Back to Business

Context: Ongoing coronavirus infection and constrained circumstances should not come in way of Parliamentary proceedings as constitutional ideals do not allow a gap of more than six months.

Issues in reconvening Parliamentary Session

• Following social-distancing norms: in insufficient physical space would be difficult.
• Catch-22 situation: an online session with virtual participation may require a change of the rulebook, that will again require parliamentary proceedings.
• Technicalities of connectivity via the internet: could lead to unfair disparities among equals. 
• Online parliament session: vulnerable to an attack by hackers.
• Virtual participation may miss the sense of party solidarity that is generated by being seated together.

Way Forward

• Consensus-based mechanism to decide how the next parliamentary session should be held.
• A hybrid model of in-house and online participation with few to attend parliamentary sessions physically and rest remotely.

• However, it is against equity, as physically present members will be seen weightier than that of others.

Conclusion: Politicians and legislative institutions being the representative of people should act in consonance with the will of people.