Is Indian democracy facing teething issues?

Ironically, the country hailed as the world’s largest democracy is making headlines for its apparent democratic weaknesses these days. This phase could best be described as pangs of democratic transition for a country like India, which gained independence from colonial rule around seven decades ago. We can say that India is still in the transition phase as democracy takes time to gain strength and take roots in the collective psyche of a nation.
The key feature of Indian politics is its parliamentary democracy. Unfortunately, our recent political history is marked by chaos than strong democratic practice in both Houses of the Parliament.
Take for instance this week’s parliamentary session. The nation witnessed complete pandemonium that led to the adjournment of both the Houses. Apparently, legislators keen on gaining media coverage are deliberately abusing India’s parliamentary democracy.
The leading opposition party, the Bahratiya Janata Party (BJP), has frequently disrupted the parliamentary session. The BJP is calling for early general elections. It should be noted that the parliamentary polls are to be held in 2014. Constitutionally and democratically, the Congress-led government is entitled to stay in power till the end of its term or till it enjoys confidence of the Parliament. The polls can also be held early if the government decides to resign or if it is voted out of power in the Parliament.
BJP’s tactics are beyond comprehension as it can tackle the issue in a democratic manner by taking opinion of other members of the Parliament on this issue through vote. But reasons best known to BJP, it is resorting to undemocratic and uncivilized tactics to meet its demand. Recently, a BJP-led delegation presented a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking parliamentary elections within less than three months. This move of BJP clearly signals that this party is in no mood to press for this demand by seeking support in the Parliament. The BJP is well aware of the fact that it will face defeat if it tables a motion to this effect in the Parliament.
A major parliamentary defeat of this nature, spelling victory of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, will naturally be politically damaging for the BJP.
The role of the president of India is ceremonial and he cannot take any major decision without the approval of the central government.
What was then the point in presenting a memorandum to the president? Perhaps, it was an attempt for a little more media coverage. The BJP — which is not backed by all the opposition parties — is trying to cash in on the sliding value of the Indian rupee and plans to block parliamentary proceedings until Prime Minister Manmohan Singh steps down. Analysts doubt BJP’s intention and see these attempts only to gain political mileage.
Prospects of Congress losing support of its allies in the Parliament are very limited. BJP’s move to stall functioning of the Parliament may also be termed as abuse of parliamentary democracy.
Beyond any shadow of doubt, the opposition has the right to criticize the government and its policies. However, there is a fine line between democratic ways and undemocratic wrangling. It seems that the BJP has yet to differentiate between the two. Or maybe we have not yet matured politically and this behavior could be seen as teething problems of our ‘nascent’ democracy.

• Nilofar Suhrawardy is an Indian freelance journalist who has written extensively for national newspapers.