Winter Session 2025 Parliament Faces Political Turbulence

The Winter Session of Parliament 2025 began on 1 December amid rising political tensions. What should have been a routine legislative event quickly turned confrontational. Opposition parties united around the demand for a full debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This issue has become a rallying point after the recent Bihar elections. The government, meanwhile, aims to focus on marking 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. The session promises intense debates, disruptions, and a clash of agendas.

Political Context and Opposition Strategy

The Opposition insists on discussing the SIR to address concerns about electoral manipulation and weakening democratic institutions. Parties like Congress, TMC, and Samajwadi Party see this as a chance to challenge the government on vote chori or vote theft. Opposition leaders have warned that no parliamentary business will proceed without this debate. This united front has raised the stakes and set a confrontational tone for the session.

Government’s Legislative Agenda

The government plans to introduce several important Bills despite the hostile atmosphere. Key proposals include the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025, which imposes additional taxes on pan masala and gutka. Another Bill aims to raise taxes on cigarettes. The government will also propose revised GST rates for Manipur and present supplementary demands for grants. These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on health, revenue, and regional fiscal matters.

Cultural Nationalism as a Political Theme

The government intends to show the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram as a symbolic and apolitical milestone. However, this move is seen by the Opposition as an attempt to divert attention from pressing issues like electoral reforms, national security, and foreign policy. The emphasis on cultural nationalism is likely to spark further debate and deepen the divide between the ruling party and opposition.

Opposition’s Broader Legislative Demands

Beyond the SIR, the Opposition has pushed for debates on economic performance, national security following recent blasts in Delhi, the status of Jammu & Kashmir, and shifts in foreign policy involving the US and Russia. Regional parties like the Telugu Desam Party have also called for discussions on economic issues. These demands show the Opposition’s strategy to hold the government accountable on multiple fronts.

Parliamentary Dynamics and Expected Outcomes

Despite assurances from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju about smooth functioning, the session is forecast to be turbulent. The clash between the Opposition’s demand for accountability and the government’s insistence on order could lead to walkouts, adjournments, and disruptions. The session risks being unproductive, echoing past patterns of parliamentary deadlock.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the impact of political confrontations in the functioning of the Indian Parliament during legislative sessions.
2. Examine the role of electoral roll revisions in strengthening democratic processes and how they can become political flashpoints.
3. Analyse the significance of cultural nationalism in Indian politics and its influence on parliamentary debates and policymaking.
4. Estimate the challenges in balancing legislative business and opposition demands in a multi-party parliamentary democracy like India.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the impact of political confrontations in the functioning of the Indian Parliament during legislative sessions.

1. Political confrontations often lead to frequent disruptions, walkouts, and adjournments, hampering legislative productivity.
2. They reflect deep ideological and policy differences, sometimes stalling important bills and reforms.
3. Confrontations can undermine the Parliament’s role as a forum for constructive debate and accountability.
4. They may erode public trust in democratic institutions and diminish the quality of governance.
5. However, confrontations also show democratic dissent and ensure government accountability.
6. Effective mechanisms like consensus-building and Business Advisory Committee meetings are needed to mitigate disruptions.

2. Examine the role of electoral roll revisions in strengthening democratic processes and how they can become political flashpoints.

1. Electoral roll revisions ensure updated, accurate voter lists, preventing fraud and enhancing electoral integrity.
2. They help in including eligible voters and excluding ineligible or duplicate entries, strengthening representative democracy.
3. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can address concerns of “vote chori” or vote manipulation, boosting public confidence.
4. However, electoral roll revisions can become politicized when parties suspect bias or manipulation by ruling authorities.
5. Opposition may use SIR demands as a tool to challenge government legitimacy and mobilize political support.
6. Transparent and impartial management of revisions is crucial to avoid political flashpoints and maintain trust.

3. Analyse the significance of cultural nationalism in Indian politics and its influence on parliamentary debates and policymaking.

1. Cultural nationalism emphasizes shared heritage and symbols to encourage national unity and identity.
2. It often shapes political narratives, influencing policy priorities and electoral strategies.
3. Commemorations like 150 years of Vande Mataram can be politically charged, reflecting ideological divides.
4. Opposition may view such emphasis as diversion from pressing socio-economic or governance issues.
5. Government may use cultural nationalism to consolidate support and frame policy in patriotic terms.
6. While unifying for some, cultural nationalism can deepen polarization and affect secular policymaking.

4. Estimate the challenges in balancing legislative business and opposition demands in a multi-party parliamentary democracy like India.

1. Diverse party interests lead to conflicting agendas, complicating consensus on legislative priorities.
2. Opposition demands for debate on sensitive issues can clash with government’s planned business, causing deadlock.
3. Maintaining order while ensuring meaningful debate requires skilled parliamentary management and negotiation.
4. Multi-party dynamics increase chances of disruptions, walkouts, and adjournments, affecting productivity.
5. Balancing accountability and efficiency is challenging but essential for democratic legitimacy.
6. Institutional mechanisms (e.g., Business Advisory Committee) and political goodwill are key to resolving conflicts.