2023 Special Session of the Parliament of India

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Rajya Sabha chamber in the Sansad Bhavan
Lok Sabha chamber in the Sansad Bhavan

The Indian Parliament Special Session, 2023 was a Special Session held in the Parliament of India from 18 to 22 September 2023. This 5-day assembly meet of MPs was announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on 31 August 2023.[1] This parliamentary gathering marked the 13th session of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st session of the Rajya Sabha.[2]

On 17 September, the Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar in presence of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla hoisted the National Flag of India on the top of Gaja Dwar, one day prior to the special session at the newly constructed Sansad Bhavan.[3][4] Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the event and expressed "disappointment" over receiving the invitation for the event "quite late". He scheduled Congress Working Committee meeting in Hyderabad on 16-17 September.[5]

As anticipated, this special session witnessed the transfer of parliamentary proceedings from the existing premises of British-era building to the New Parliament House, the Sansad Bhavan in the national capital.[6][7] and this special session of Parliament did not include Question Hour, Zero Hour, or Private Member Business.[8][9]

On 21 September, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, one day earlier than planned, subsequent to the successful passage of the 128th Constitution (Amendment) Bill known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam with an overwhelming majority in both Houses. The Lok Sabha concluded the four sitting session lasting about a little more than 30 hours after a debate on Chandrayaan-3 mission. This special session in Lok Sabha saw a House productivity of 160 percent.[10]

Agenda[edit]

While the agenda for the House business was notified on 13 September, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs convened a meeting with the floor leaders of various political parties on 17th September. On the inaugural day, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha discussed Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings. Opposition parties criticized the early announcement without disclosing the agenda.[11]

The parliamentary bulletin showed the Post Office Bill, 2023; the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023; and the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 as legislative bills listed for business in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha listed additional discussion on the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 and the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023.[12]

Business[edit]

Day 1[edit]

The inaugural session commemorated the 75th anniversary of the parliamentary voyage, which commenced with the establishment of the Constituent Assembly. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha engaged in a discourse concerning the accomplishments, encounters, recollections, and insights gained over the past 75 years.[13] Speaker Om Birla initiated the discussion and highlighted successful completion of G20 summit during India's presidency.[14]

Reactions[edit]

Delay in release of tentative agenda for the Special Session from official sources led to various assumptions across the political parties. Many saw convening of Parliament Special Session as something related to upcoming elections. The use at the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit of the term "Bharat" rather than "India" sparked speculation that some sort of attempted elevation of the name "Bharat" might be proposed.[15][16]

The session started on 18 September, seventy-four years exactly after a proposal to use "Bharat" as the country's name was proposed and defeated at the Constituent Assembly of India. The proposal was by H.V. Kamath of the All India Forward Bloc, and the amendment was ultimately defeated by a vote of 38 to 51. Political analysts say it may not be a coincidence that the special session has been called on the same date.[17]

Some speculated on the Government pushing for "one nation, one election" bill[18] while Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar guessed the current Lok Sabha might be dissolved to call for early national elections along with poll-bound states.[19] Pointing out the suspense over agenda, Jairam Ramesh said the government would throw "legislative grenades" during the special session.[20] Asaduddin Owaisi demanded for a discussion on Chinese incursion in the Ladakh region.[21] Mallikarjun Kharge termed the government decision without consulting opposition parties to convene special session of Parliament as an indicator of "dictatorship".[22] Sanjay Raut said the special session of Parliament called by the Government is an act "deceit" and termed it as "cheating with Ganpati Ji."[23] Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister raising the issues her party would like to have debate in the special session of the Parliament.[24] Rahul Gandhi linked the session to "panic" of government as he was raising the "uncomfortable" Adani issue in the Parliament.[25] Nana Patole asserted that the forthcoming parliamentary session has been convened with the purpose of declaring Mumbai as Union Territory and separating it from Maharashtra.[26]

Some hinted at Government bringing back the Women's Reservation Bill. The UPA led 15th Lok Sabha failed to pass the bill due to strong opposition from political parties, including Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal. It was suggested that BJP might "expose" ideological differences among the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.[27] Media reports emerged that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir might be restored in this special session.[28][29] Political commentators signaled the possibilities of government bringing the Uniform Civil Code, Universal Basic Income or the Presidential form of national elections.[30][31]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Govt calls special session of Parliament later this month, gives no reason". The Indian Express. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Special Session of Parliament from September 18-22". cnbctv18.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "VP Jagdeep Dhankar to unfurl tricolour at new Parliament building day before special session". Northeast Live. 17 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Govt to convene All Party Meeting today, ahead of special session of Parliament". newsonair.gov.in. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Rajya Sabha Chairman hoists national flag at new Parliament building". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Indian MPs move to new parliament building as gov't holds special session". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Govt releases agenda of Parliament's Special Session starting from 18 September". mint. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "No Question Hour, Zero Hour in special session of Parliament: Sources". First India. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Parliament special session: Very few instances of Question Hour being scrapped". The Indian Express. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Parliament Special Session adjourned sine die, a day ahead of schedule". Financialexpress. 22 September 2023.
  11. ↑ Joy, Shemin (13 September 2023). "Centre releases agenda for Special Session of Parliament: Details here". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (13 September 2023). "Special Session to debate Parliament's 75-year journey, take up Bills". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Parliament Special Session: MPs Recall 75-Yr History on Last Day in Old Building". TheQuint. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Speaker Om Birla lauds PM's 'visionary' leadership for success of G20 Summit". The Pioneer. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  15. ↑ Kaushik, Krishn (6 September 2023). "Is India changing its name to Bharat? G20 invite controversy explained". Reuters. Retrieved 15 September 2023. ..... the government announced a surprise five-day special session of parliament later this month, without disclosing any agenda. The move prompted unconfirmed reports that a change of name could be discussed and passed during the session. There has been no confirmation that such a move is in the works, but members of the government and the ruling BJP have suggested that the name Bharat should take primacy over India.
  16. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (5 September 2023). "Bharat G20 invitation fuels rumours India may change name". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2023. India hosts the G20 summit this weekend, and world leaders have received an invitation to a state dinner hosted by the "president of Bharat". Modi himself typically refers to India as Bharat, a word dating back to ancient Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit, and one of two official names for the country under its constitution. Members of his Hindu nationalist ruling party, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), have previously campaigned against using the name India, which has its roots in western antiquity and was imposed during the British conquest. The government has called a special session of parliament for later in the month, but remains tight-lipped about its legislative agenda, but the broadcaster News18 said unnamed government sources had told it that BJP lawmakers would put forward a special resolution to give precedence to the name Bharat. Rumours of the plan were met with a mix of opposition and enthusiastic support.
  17. ↑ Chhabra, Rahul (16 September 2023). "Constituent Assembly debated Bharat-India on 18 Sept 1949; special session on 18 Sept 2023". The Sunday Guardian Live. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  18. ↑ "India ponders simultaneous federal, state polls to save time". Reuters. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has called a surprise, special five-day session of parliament from Sept. 18 to 22 but has not disclosed the agenda. Media have reported that the "one nation, one election" move could be introduced this session but (Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad) Joshi, when asked about it, said the agenda would be made known later. Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has for long pushed the idea of combining state and federal elections as it would also help cut the cost of conducting polls in the world's most populous country.
  19. ↑ Sinha, Shishir (31 August 2023). "Special session of Parliament may see bills for One Nation-One Election, Women Reservation". BusinessLine. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Much ado about nothing: Jairam Ramesh on Parliament session agenda". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  21. ↑ Mohammed, Syed (1 September 2023). "Parliament special session should include discussion on Chinese transgressions: Owaisi". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "'India becoming a dictatorship... no special session of Parliament when Manipur was burning': Kharge hits out at PM Modi". The Indian Express. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "'Deceit, cheating with Ganpati Ji': Sanjay Raut slams special Parliament session". India Today. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Sonia Gandhi writes to PM on special session, flags Manipur, Adani, caste census for discussion". The Indian Express. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Government convenes Special Session of Parliament, speculations on agenda arise". mint. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Nana Patole: Special session of Parliament a ploy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra". The Indian Express. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  27. ↑ Athrady, Ajith. "Parliament special session likely to take up Women's Reservation Bill". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "The Special Session of Parliament: Could it be About J&K?". NewsClick. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "Special session: CEC bill, Parl's 75-year history on the agenda". Hindustan Times. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  30. ↑ Chawla, Prabhu. "Surprise parliamentary session another Modi adventurism". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  31. ↑ "India may introduce 'One Nation, One Election' Bill in special session of Parliament — social media reacts". cnbctv18.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
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