3. Parliament and the Making of Laws

We in India pride ourselves on being a democracy. Here we will try to understand the relation between the ideas of participation in decision-making and the need for all democratic governments to have the consent of their citizens. It is these elements that together make us a democracy, and this is best expressed in the institution of the Parliament.

In a democracy, the role of citizens is very important. Citizens must participate in the decision-making process. This means they should have a say in how the government is run. Their involvement is crucial for the government to have legitimacy, which means the government needs the approval of the people to govern successfully. The Parliament serves as a bridge between the people and the government, ensuring that the citizens' voices are heard.

Think about a school council where students elect representatives to share their views with teachers about school rules and activities. Just like how the council reflects the opinions of students, Parliament reflects the opinions of citizens in the democracy.

India, as we know, became independent on 15 August 1947. Preceding this was a long and difficult struggle in which many sections of society participated. Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions that they took. The freedom movement changed this situation.

India’s struggle for independence involved people from all walks of life joining together to demand their rights. Before independence, there was a sense of fear and oppression under British rule, and the people could not express their dissatisfaction without risking punishment. The freedom movement allowed these individuals to voice their concerns and take part in shaping their future.

Imagine a group of friends who are tired of unfair rules set by a strict teacher. They band together to discuss and challenge those rules, showing their strength in numbers. Just as they fight for fair treatment, Indians united to demand their independence.

The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of independent India that laid down the principle of universal adult franchise, i.e., that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.

The Constitution is a crucial document that safeguards citizens' rights, including the right to vote for everyone who is an adult. This principle ensures that every voice matters in the democratic process, allowing citizens to choose their representatives in government. It represents a shift from exclusion under colonial rule to inclusion under a democratic framework.

Think of how in a family, every member gets a vote in making decisions—like where to go for a holiday—ensuring everyone feels included. Just like that, universal adult franchise means every adult's voice is heard in national decisions.

The Parliament of India (Sansad) is the supreme law-making institution. It has two Houses, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in the Parliament. The Lok Sabha is elected once every five years.

The Indian Parliament consists of two houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). Each serves a distinct purpose in the governmental process. The Rajya Sabha represents the states while the Lok Sabha is a direct representation of the people as its members are elected by citizens. This structure ensures varied representation within the government.

Think of a sports team with different players specializing in different positions—like forwards and defenders—working as a unit. Just like every team player is needed for the game to be effective, both houses of Parliament are necessary for law-making.

The Parliament has an important role in making laws. There are many ways through which this takes place and it is often different groups in society that raise the need for a particular law.

Parliament's primary role is law-making, which means creating rules that govern the country. Various societal groups can raise issues, pushing for new laws based on their concerns. Parliament listens to these voices, reflecting citizens’ needs in the legal framework of the nation, ensuring that laws are relevant and justified.

Imagine a neighborhood association that discusses issues like safety, parks, or schools. When enough community members express a concern, the association can propose new rules to address these issues. Similarly, Parliament takes community voices into account to create effective laws.

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