Contextual Background
- The Budget session of Parliament witnessed a rare all-night sitting — a symbolic moment reflecting both urgency and political theatre.
- Productivity figures were impressive: Lok Sabha – 118%, Rajya Sabha – 119%, signaling an active legislative push.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity)
Key Observations from the Journalist’s Lens
- Unusual but not unprecedented: While the event was historic in recent memory, it isn’t the first such instance since Independence — countering the frequent “first-ever” narrative post-2014.
- Sense of urgency among MPs: Despite the late hour, MPs delivered speeches briskly and passionately, often negotiating for extra time to make a powerful concluding remark.
- Performative politics: The night revealed how parliamentary debates are often staged for media impact and social media virality, even if many attempts fall flat.
The Journalist’s Dilemma
- Deadline pressure vs Live coverage: Reporters, like parliamentarians, juggle the tension of capturing content vs meeting editorial deadlines.
- Fear of missing nuance: Late-night fatigue risks tuning out repetitive arguments, potentially missing important shifts in tone or framing — the ‘greys between black and white’.
Drama and Irony in the House
- Parliament sessions can mirror theatre:
- A shivering actor-politician, passionate but incoherent.
- A midnight misquote — Victor Hugo, a Frenchman, cited as British.
- A Minister rhyming rather than reasoning — all part of the “verbal theatre”.
Historical Reflection
Parliamentary access to the press has a long global journey:
- In UK’s Westminster, debates were kept from public view till late 19th century.
- In India, while press access is legal, physical barriers and restrictions in the new Parliament building symbolize the control narrative.
Larger Democratic Implications
- All-night sittings symbolize democratic diligence, but also political spectacle.
- Even in a tightly controlled media environment, the press’s persistent presence is crucial for keeping parliamentary debates accountable and accessible.
