Parliamentary Protocol: Upholding Dignity and Procedures in India's Legislative Framework

Parliamentary Protocol: Upholding Dignity and Procedures in India's Legislative Framework

Articles 118 to 122 of the Indian Constitution delineate the procedures, rules, and functioning of the Parliament, regulating its sessions, conduct, and proceedings.

Article 118: Rules of Procedure

Article 118 empowers each House of Parliament to make rules to regulate its procedures and conduct of business. It grants autonomy to the Houses in framing their rules while ensuring conformity with constitutional principles.

Article 119: Regulation of Procedure

Article 119 stipulates that until rules are framed by the Houses, the Parliament shall regulate its procedure based on existing laws and practices inherited from the constituent assembly.

Article 120: Language to be Used

Article 120 deals with the language to be used in the Parliament, specifying that either English or Hindi may be used for proceedings and debates.

Article 121: Restriction on Discussions

Article 121 prohibits the discussion of conduct of judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts unless a resolution for their removal is under consideration.

Article 122: Courts not to Inquire into Proceedings

Article 122 bars any court from inquiring into parliamentary proceedings, ensuring the autonomy and immunity of parliamentary debates from judicial scrutiny.

Modern Era Interpretation:

In the contemporary era, these articles retain their significance in regulating parliamentary procedures and preserving the sanctity of parliamentary debates. While not heavily reliant on extensive case laws, their interpretation and application have been shaped by constitutional principles, parliamentary practices, and occasional legal interventions.

Parliamentary Practices and Relevance:

The rules and procedures framed by the Houses of Parliament reflect the practical application of these articles, ensuring smooth conduct of sessions and adherence to established norms.

### Contemporary Relevance and Challenges:

In the contemporary landscape, Articles 118 to 122 face challenges related to maintaining decorum in parliamentary proceedings, ensuring multilingual incivility, and upholding parliamentary autonomy.

Balancing the use of languages, maintaining parliamentary decorum, and protecting parliamentary immunity while fostering constructive debates pose challenges in upholding the efficacy and dignity of these articles.

Conclusion:

Articles 118 to 122 of the Indian Constitution delineate the rules and procedures governing Parliament's functioning, ensuring the smooth conduct of sessions and preserving the autonomy of parliamentary proceedings. While not heavily reliant on extensive case laws, their interpretation and application resonate with constitutional principles and the need for effective parliamentary governance.

As India navigates through the intricacies of parliamentary conduct in the 21st century, the need to uphold parliamentary decorum, linguistic incivility, and autonomy remains pivotal. Occasional legal interventions and evolving practices continue to shape and refine the operational aspects of these articles, underscoring their enduring significance in fostering a robust and responsible parliamentary democracy within the Indian constitutional framework.