Three steps to improve the functioning of Parliament

It's so far back in time you might find it hard to recall the last session when the Indian Parliament functioned effectively and credibly.

- Karan Thapar

For decades, we have grown accustomed to disruption instead of debate and discussion. Opponents behave like enemies rather than legislative rivals.

The Opposition is convinced the government is not interested in hearing its voice and opinion. It prefers to quash or ignore it.

On the other hand, the government believes its opponents only want to posture and play to the gallery. They want to disturb and disrupt. In the process, India's democracy is in danger of losing an efficacious assembly that hears and reflects concerns of importance and all the views associated with them. That would be disastrous for our democracy.

Today, I would like to suggest three measures that could, at least substantially, remedy the distrust on both sides.

They work very effectively in the House of Commons. There's absolutely no reason why the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will not benefit by adopting them.