Editor's Pick: Parliament logjam drags on as neither side backs down

Once again on Thursday, both Houses of Parliament did not transact any business, functioning for a total of just over five minutes combined with the ruling BJP unrelenting in its demand for an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition refusing to back down on the call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Adani Group controversy. Several Opposition MPs organised a human chain on the Parliament premises. The Lok Sabha worked for two minutes and 20 seconds in the pre-lunch sitting and 50 seconds in the post-lunch sitting. The Rajya Sabha functioned for one minute and 55 seconds in the morning and 40 seconds in the afternoon. The session in the Lok Sabha witnessed ruckus right from the moment it reconvened on Thursday. MPs on both sides tried to outshout each other. Trinamool Congress MPs were already in the Well, accusing the Treasury benches of stalling Parliament for four days in a row. The House was unable to conduct even procedural functions such as laying of the papers and standing committee reports before adjourning till 2 p.m. and later for the day. The Upper House met the same fate with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s pleas to maintain order went in vain. Trinamool MPs sported black gags in the Well and other Opposition members stood on their seats shouting slogans. Opposition leaders formed a human chain questioning the government’s studied silence on the alleged stock manipulation by the Adani Group. The TMC, at a press conference later accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of turning Parliament into a “deep dark chamber”. The current deadlock and the ones during the monsoon and winter sessions last year are reflective of the growing acrimonious relationship between the Treasury and Opposition Benches while multiple pieces of legislation await introduction and passing. It also shows how the standards of parliamentary functioning have taken a beating in recent years. In terms of the time spent on deliberating legislation, the conduct of fruitful debates both in tone and tenor, and in the quality of discussion, the participation of expert opinion through the agency of standing and parliamentary committees besides other factors, parliamentary sessions have been found to be wanting. While political parties utilise Parliament more to showcase political spectacle, what ultimately takes a hit is crucial legislative functioning. The Hindu’s Editorials Testing times: On India and fast-shifting dynamics in key markets Dangerous manoeuvring: On the Black Sea encounter and the risks posed by the Ukraine war The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Dari is the official language recognized by which country? Saudi Arabia The U.A.E. Pakistan Afghanistan To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 17 March 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Parliament logjam drags on as neither side backs down Once again on Thursday, both Houses of Parliament [did not transact any business]( functioning for a total of just over five minutes combined with the ruling BJP unrelenting in its demand for an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition refusing to back down on the call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Adani Group controversy. Several Opposition MPs organised a human chain on the Parliament premises. The Lok Sabha worked for two minutes and 20 seconds in the pre-lunch sitting and 50 seconds in the post-lunch sitting. The Rajya Sabha functioned for one minute and 55 seconds in the morning and 40 seconds in the afternoon. The session in the Lok Sabha witnessed ruckus right from the moment it reconvened on Thursday. MPs on both sides tried to outshout each other. Trinamool Congress MPs were already in the Well, accusing the Treasury benches of stalling Parliament for four days in a row. The House was unable to conduct even procedural functions such as laying of the papers and standing committee reports before adjourning till 2 p.m. and later for the day. The Upper House met the same fate with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s pleas to maintain order went in vain. Trinamool MPs sported black gags in the Well and other Opposition members stood on their seats shouting slogans. Opposition leaders formed a human chain questioning the government’s studied silence on the alleged stock manipulation by the Adani Group. The TMC, at a press conference later accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of turning Parliament into a “deep dark chamber”. The current deadlock and the ones during the monsoon and winter sessions last year are reflective of the growing acrimonious relationship between the Treasury and Opposition Benches while multiple pieces of legislation await introduction and passing. It also shows how the standards of parliamentary functioning have taken a beating in recent years. In terms of the time spent on deliberating legislation, the conduct of fruitful debates both in tone and tenor, and in the quality of discussion, the participation of expert opinion through the agency of standing and parliamentary committees besides other factors, parliamentary sessions have been found to be wanting. While political parties utilise Parliament more to showcase political spectacle, what ultimately takes a hit is crucial legislative functioning. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Testing times: On India and fast-shifting dynamics in key markets]( [Arrow][Dangerous manoeuvring: On the Black Sea encounter and the risks posed by the Ukraine war]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Dari is the official language recognized by which country? - Saudi Arabia - The U.A.E. - Pakistan - Afghanistan To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here](. Are you a book lover looking for your next literary adventure? Look no further than “The Hindu On Books” weekly newsletter! We scour the shelves to bring you the best new releases and hidden gems in all genres. With in-depth book reviews and recommendations, you can trust that you will find your next literary love here. Sign up now and discover your next favorite book!" 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