Editorial 1: The post of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic or optional

Context

The fact that the post is still vacant is a violation of the Constitution and shows a clear neglect of consensus politics.

Introduction

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not just a ceremonial seat — it is a constitutional requirement. As directed by Article 93 of the Constitution of India, this role is not merely an assistant to the Speaker. It is essentialfor the smooth functioning of the lower House of Parliament. Yet, in recent years, the Deputy Speaker’s position has faced unusual and worrying neglect.

Deputy Speaker’s Office

• Article 93 of the Constitution states:
  “The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker….“
• The phrase “as soon as may be” indicates urgency, not discretion.
• Electing a Deputy Speaker is mandatory, not an optional act.
• The Deputy Speaker’s office is placed on equal footing with the Speaker in terms of necessity for the parliamentary structure.
• Article 94 provides that the Deputy Speaker remains in office until they:
  • Resign
  • Are removed
  • Cease to be a Member of Parliament
• The intention behind these provisions is to ensure that the Lok Sabha always has a second-in-command to guarantee continuity, stability, and institutional balance.

Historical Background

Key elements	Details
Origins	Began during the colonial period under British rule
Early Title	Known as Deputy President in the Central Legislative Assembly
First Officeholder (Colonial Period)	Sachidanand Sinha, appointed in 1921
Post-Independence Decision	The Constituent Assembly (Legislative) decided to retain the role before the Constitution’s adoption
First Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker	M.A. Ayyangar, elected after Independence
Importance Highlighted	Ayyangar served as acting Speaker after the sudden death of Speaker G.V. Mavalankar in 1956, proving the Deputy Speaker’s critical role

Role and Importance of the Deputy Speaker

• Speaker’s Limitations: The Speaker cannot physically preside over every session for long hours.
• Expert Observation: S.C. Kashyap notes that the Speaker cannot chair proceedings endlessly.
• Deputy Speaker’s Core Role: The Deputy Speaker ensures smooth functioning during the Speaker’s absence.
• Expanded Responsibilities: The Deputy Speaker can chair major sessions, lead important committees, and handle sensitive debates requiring neutrality.
• Impartiality Requirement: Once elected, the Deputy Speaker must act impartially, regardless of political affiliations.
• Symbolic Significance: The office carries symbolic value in promoting bipartisan respect and cooperation.
• Convention of Opposition Nominee: Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker’s post is offered to the Opposition, though it is not legally mandated.
• Strengthening Non-Partisan Ethos: This practice balances power, builds trust across parties, and upholds the neutrality of the House.

Vacancy of the Deputy Speaker’s Office

• Despite its clear constitutional basis and historic continuity, the Deputy Speaker’s office remained vacant throughout the entire term of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024).
• The 18th Lok Sabha, formed after the 2024 general election, has also yet to elect a Deputy Speaker. This is not just a procedural lapse; it is a constitutional anomaly.
• Unprecedented Vacancy: No previous instance in India’s parliamentary history has seen such extended vacancies for the Deputy Speaker’s post.
• Interpretation of “As Soon as May Be”: The Constitution does not set a rigid timeline for election, but the phrase “as soon as may be” should not be seen as “whenever convenient“.
• Delay Raises Questions: The delay — spanning multiple years — raises concerns about adherence to constitutional mandates and respect for parliamentary norms.

Impact of the Vacancy

• Undermining Safeguards: Leaving the Deputy Speaker’s position vacant undermines the institutional safeguards set by the Constitution.
  • It centralises procedural power solely within the Speaker and the ruling party.
  • Eliminates the vital counterbalance of the Deputy Speaker.
• Emergency Consequences: In an emergency (e.g., Speaker’s resignation, death, or removal), the lack of a second-in-command can lead to confusion or a temporary leadership vacuum.
• Disregard for Conventions: The delay also signals a broader disregard for parliamentary conventions, especially the unwritten rule of offering the post to the Opposition.

Importance of the Deputy Speaker’s Role

Key Concept	Details
Constitutional Importance	The position of Deputy Speaker is critical for balance and stability in Parliament.
Historically Symbolic	The Deputy Speaker has symbolized inclusivity and moderation in parliamentary functioning.
Constitutional Mandate	The absence of a Deputy Speaker challenges the ethos of constitutional democracy.
Redundancy in Leadership	The Deputy Speaker is a vital position, ensuring system resilience in case of an emergency.

Sidelining Consensus Politics

• Failing to fill the Deputy Speaker’s post is not a passive oversight; it represents an active sidelining of consensus politics.
• Lack of Urgency Argument: The argument that there is no urgency in appointing a Deputy Speaker contradicts the constitutional ethos.
  • Framers of the Constitution foresaw the need for redundancy in leadership.
• Restoring Institutional Credibility: Appointing a Deputy Speaker from the Opposition would help restore institutional credibility in an era of increasing polarisation.
  • It would honour democratic conventions and inject balance into legislative proceedings.

Need for legislative reform?

• Ongoing Vacuum: The current vacuum raises the question of whether the constitutional language should be tightened to set a mandatory time frame for electing the Deputy Speaker.
• Suggested Deadline: A specific deadline (e.g., within 60 days of the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha) could close the loophole of delay and ensure compliance.
• Alternative Approach: Alternatively, a statutory mechanism could allow the President to initiate the process within a set time frame, based on advice from the Prime Minister or Speaker.
• Current Ambiguity: The present ambiguity in the process is untenable in a functioning democracy.
• Constitutional Importance: The Office of the Deputy Speaker is not symbolic nor optional; it is a constitutionally sanctioned position vital for upholding legislative integrity and continuity.
• Violation of the Constitution: Disregarding this office violates the Constitution’s letter and undermines the spirit of democratic balance.

Conclusion

It is time for Parliament to show its respect for constitutional ules and institutional honesty. Choosing a Deputy Speaker is not just a formality — it is a test of the House’s promise to govern by rules. India’s Parliament must not fail this test any longer.

Editorial 2 : ​Not strong enough

Context

Take on the Pahalgam terror attack and the UNSC statement.

Introduction

The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the UN Security Council. However, the UNSC statement on April 25, 2025, while expressing condolences, fell short in addressing key concerns, particularly by omitting references to The Resistance Front (TRF) and its links to LeT. This response highlights ongoing challenges in the fight against terrorism, especially within the context of international diplomacy and bilateral relations.

UN Security Council Statement on Pahalgam Terrorist Attack (April 25, 2025)

• Condemnation: The UN Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
  • Condolences expressed to India and Nepal (which lost one citizen).
  • Pakistan (elected non-permanent member) was included in the statement.
• Key Points from the UNSC Statement:
  • Reaffirmation that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security.
  • Emphasis on bringing perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
• Inadequacies Noted:
  • No mention of The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the attack.
  • No reference to TRF’s ties with the LeT, a UNSC-designated terrorist organization.
  • No specific call for cooperation with India, unlike previous instances.
  • No mention of terrorists’ intent to target non-Muslims, which aimed to instigate communal tensions.
• Comparison with Past Statements:
  • The language used was considered “watered down”.
  • This was attributed to Pakistan’s membership in the Council (2025-26) and China’s support (China has vetoed critical statements against Pakistan in the past).
• Negotiation:
  • Statement negotiated by France’s envoy (current UNSC President).
  • Limited support from other Council members, including the U.S., Russia, and the U.K..

India’s Response and Next Steps

• Counter-Terrorism Measures:
  • Ongoing discussions on counter-terror operations within Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Consideration of military options across the border.
• Potential Actions:
  • India may bring a stronger statement to the UN General Assembly, similar to those in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts.
  • India could seek UNSC designation of identified terrorists and TRF, similar to the Masood Azhar designation after the Pulwama attack.
  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF) could be utilized to push for greater action against Pakistan-based terror groups.
• Bilateral Relations:
  • Past efforts to gain Pakistani cooperation (e.g., after Mumbai, Pathankot, and Pulwama attacks) have been unsuccessful.
  • Diplomatic engagement with Pakistan is currently unlikely due to strained relations.
• Multi-Pronged Approach:
  • India must rely on a global strategy, similar to its approach with the extradition of Tahawwur Rana.
  • Patience and sustained effort will be necessary to bring perpetrators to justice and work toward durable peace.

Key Areas of Focus for India

Focus Area	Potential Actions
UNSC Involvement	Stronger statement in the UN General Assembly
Terrorist Designation	Seek UNSC designation for identified terrorists and TRF
FATF	Push for stricter action against Pakistan-based terror groups
Bilateral Relations	No expectation of Pakistani cooperation due to poor diplomatic ties
Global Strategy	Multi-pronged effort involving international cooperation for justice

Conclusion

In conclusion, India faces significant challenges in addressing terrorism, especially with the UNSC’s diluted response. Moving forward, India must pursue a multi-pronged approach, leveraging international forums like the UN General Assembly and FATF, while addressing the lack of bilateral cooperation. Patience, diplomatic efforts, and global alliances will be crucial in securing justice and achieving lasting peace.