Marked on June 30 every year, the International Day of Parliamentarism is an opportunity to think about and rejoice the institution on which democracy is based parliaments. This day was created by the decision of the United Nations in 2018 to commemorate the anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organization of national parliaments, which was established in 1889. In an era when the world over is witnessing a rapid change in the political scenario, the importance of adhering to the value of representative governance, accountability, transparency and the participation of the masses is becoming as important as it has never been. The International Day of Parliamentarism is not only a memory date but also a mobilization date because it is in the interest of institutions and each individual to safeguard democratic principles and parliamentary systems.
The parliaments are, in their essence, the reflection of the will of people. They are not only legislative institutions that have the task of creating laws in representative democracies; they are also a place where different voices are brought together, ideologies clash, and consensus is forged. It is in such rooms that the societies of the future are brokered, between economic aspirations and social justice, and tradition and modernity. Parliamentarism has its foundation on dialogue; a process that appreciates reasoned debate, respects others and is inclusive. Parliamentary systems are also opposed to autocratic or populist systems in which decisions can be centralized or unilateral, whereas the first ones are characterized by the procedural rigor and the tolerance of dissent.
The parliaments in the world have been known to act as barometers to change in the society. The extension of the franchise, the identification of civil liberties and the inclusion of previously marginalized groups in society: whatever the issue, parliaments have frequently been the place where historic changes are developed. The post-colonial world saw new countries look towards parliamentary systems as a way of expressing sovereignty and pluralism. In a large number of these countries, parliaments were where the newly found independent identity was discussed, formulated and reinforced (in the case of India). These institutions were critical in transforming societies that were under colonialism to democratically elected governments, and in most cases, amidst strong societal division and poor economic situations.
Nevertheless, the topicality of the International Day of Parliamentarism does not end at the institutional level celebration. It raises the question of reflection on the situation of parliamentary democracy in a world that is becoming more complicated. The growth of authoritarianism and assault on civil liberties, political polarization and misinformation is posing a danger to the principles of participatory governance in most corners of the world. In certain countries, parliaments are losing their public trust, their oversight capacity, and even being physically attacked as has been the case in recent years. The day, thus, acts as a solemn warning that democracy is not self-sustaining; it needs watchful stewardship, civilian participation and institutional integrity.
In a digital era, when communication is instant and stories can be doctored, the importance of parliaments as places of informed debate and against majoritarian tendencies acquires even greater significance. Along with additional opportunities to engage the citizens, technology presents the issues of cyber interference, data breaches, and digital exclusion. Parliaments need to respond to this new reality, through the adoption of transparency tools, digital literacy and systems which permit the expansion of civic input without those legislative integrity. The digitization of the parliamentary procedures has become a positive tendency and indicator of the institution transparency and democracy revival: live broadcasting of the parliament sessions, e-consultations, open archives, etc.
The parliamentary institutions were further challenged on their flexibility and longevity during the pandemic years. Parliaments worldwide were forced to reassemble in unusual circumstances: by remote sessions, by hybrid debates, by emergency laws, in response to a global crisis. Such drastic changes not only demonstrated the flexibility of the institutions, but also revealed the significance of the legislative check in the period of the executive predominance. As governments hurried to put in place emergency measures, parliaments became instrumental in ensuring that the rule of law, human rights and budgetary transparency were not undermined. Those experiences provide lessons related to institutional nimbleness, ingenuity, and future readiness.
The value of inclusive representation in parliaments could not be overestimated. A fully democratic parliament is representative of the society in which it operates. Women, the younger generation, ethnic minority groups, and fringe groups need to gain not only symbolic representation but meaningful voice in the legislatures. Gender parity and youth inclusion has always been advocated by the IPU, as, according to the organization, democracy cannot be true when significant parts of the population are not represented. Then the observance of the day should equally be a renewal of the vow of equity and justice in political participation.
Checks and balances are the sustaining factor of Parliamentarism. The executive is scrutinized via the scrutiny of bills, question hours, debates and committee scrutiny. When these functions are weakened, whether through political majorities or the complacency of institutions, it can have the effect of hollowing out the structure of democracy itself. The celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism offers citizens to be more active and interact more with their legislative representatives, to learn about the decision-making process, and to participate in the democratic process outside the elections. Vital democracies demand civic literacy; the populace cannot just vote and then put the, inquiry and engagement, spirit on hold until the next election.
India, a country of multiple population with the strong tradition of parliamentary practice, demonstrates a bright example of how Parliamentarism can be challenging and transforming. Whether in the discussions that framed its Constitution or the discussions that still form its policy direction, the Indian Parliament has been a arena of ideological struggle, regional self-assertion and national unification. Notwithstanding the unfair remarks concerning the disruptions, poor attendance, and politicized debates, the institution continues to be at the center of the democratic ethos of the nation. The celebration of this day in India should also involve a refection on the ways to reinforce the parliamentary practices, improve legislative research, and promote its effective involvement of the lawmakers and citizens.
Another important aspect of this observance is global collaboration between parliaments. The IPU and regional parliamentary organizations have facilitated the communication between countries, which has allowed creating national consensus on various matters, such as climate change, sustainable development, human rights, and international peace. In a global society, the legislative diplomacy has frequently given rise to mutual understanding and joint solutions. International Day of Parliamentarism is also a reminder to countries therefore of their similar tastes in democracy and the importance of sticking together in solving transnational issues.
The International Day of Parliamentarism is not just a formal holiday in the calendar. It is a reaffirmation of the perennial vitality of democratic dialogue and legislative accountability and representative politics. It requests politicians to be honest, institutions to be responsible, and the citizens to be informed and active. In an age where democracies are straining and the model of governance being put to test, parliaments remain an Island of wisdom, bargaining and hope. This day gives us a chance to reaffirm our belief in democracy not only as a form of government but also as a form of life in which all voices are important and in which all people are treated with dignity.

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