What is Contempt of Parliament?

S5-SA3-0531

Grade Level:

Class 7

Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance

Definition

What is it?

Contempt of Parliament means showing disrespect or misbehaving towards the Parliament of India, its Members (MPs), or its committees. It involves any action that hinders Parliament from doing its work properly or lowers its dignity and authority.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your school principal is giving an important speech, and some students start shouting loudly, disturbing everyone and making it impossible for the principal to continue. This act of disturbing the principal and disrespecting the school's authority is similar to Contempt of Parliament.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say a newspaper publishes a false story claiming that all Members of Parliament (MPs) are lazy and don't care about public problems, without any proof. This can be seen as lowering the dignity of Parliament.

---Step 1: The Parliament's Privileges Committee reviews the published article and finds it to be misleading and disrespectful.

---Step 2: The Committee investigates if the newspaper intentionally tried to harm Parliament's reputation.

---Step 3: If found guilty, the Committee can recommend action against the newspaper or its editor.

---Step 4: The Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) then decides on the punishment, which could be a warning, a fine, or even imprisonment for a short period.

Answer: Publishing false and disrespectful information about Parliament or its members can lead to action for Contempt of Parliament.

Why It Matters

Understanding Contempt of Parliament is crucial for civic literacy, as it teaches us about the importance of respecting democratic institutions. This knowledge is important for careers in law, journalism, and public administration, where upholding the dignity of governance is key.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking Contempt of Parliament is only about physically disrupting a session. | CORRECTION: It also includes actions outside Parliament that damage its reputation or authority, like spreading false information or refusing to appear before a committee.

MISTAKE: Believing that any criticism of Parliament is Contempt of Parliament. | CORRECTION: Fair and constructive criticism is allowed in a democracy. Contempt only applies to actions that are intended to obstruct its functioning or maliciously defame it.

MISTAKE: Confusing Contempt of Parliament with Contempt of Court. | CORRECTION: While both involve disrespect to institutions, Contempt of Parliament refers to disrespecting the legislative body (Parliament), while Contempt of Court refers to disrespecting the judicial body (courts).

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: If a person refuses to answer questions from a Parliamentary committee without a valid reason, is it Contempt of Parliament? | ANSWER: Yes, refusing to cooperate with a Parliamentary committee can be considered Contempt of Parliament.

QUESTION: A TV channel runs a news report that falsely accuses an MP of corruption, without any evidence. Explain why this might be considered Contempt of Parliament. | ANSWER: This might be considered Contempt of Parliament because it spreads false information that damages the reputation and dignity of an MP and, by extension, the Parliament itself, potentially hindering its ability to function effectively.

QUESTION: Can an MP commit Contempt of Parliament? If so, give an example. | ANSWER: Yes, an MP can commit Contempt of Parliament. For example, if an MP continuously disrupts parliamentary proceedings, ignores the Speaker's warnings, or leaks confidential committee information, it could be considered Contempt of Parliament.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following actions is MOST likely to be considered Contempt of Parliament?

A citizen writing a letter to the editor criticizing a new law.

A journalist publishing a well-researched article on an MP's policy decisions.

A person refusing to appear before a Parliamentary committee after being summoned.

A student giving a speech about the history of Indian Parliament.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C is correct because refusing to obey a lawful summons from a Parliamentary committee directly obstructs Parliament's ability to carry out its investigative functions. Options A, B, and D are examples of legitimate civic engagement or educational activities.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In India, incidents of Contempt of Parliament are sometimes reported in the news. For example, individuals or media houses might be summoned by Parliament's Privileges Committee if their actions are deemed to obstruct Parliament's work or lower its dignity. This ensures that our democratic institutions like Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can function smoothly and fairly.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

Parliament: The highest law-making body of a country, like Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in India. | MP (Member of Parliament): An elected representative who works in the Parliament. | Dignity: The quality of being worthy of honour or respect. | Privileges Committee: A special committee in Parliament that looks into matters concerning the privileges of MPs and cases of contempt. | Summons: An official order to appear before a court or a committee.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can learn about 'Parliamentary Privileges' to understand the special rights and immunities given to MPs and Parliament. This will help you see why certain actions are considered Contempt of Parliament.