When Parliament makes bad laws, judges become lawmakers: Ansari

Former vice president Hamid Ansari said when Parliament makes bad laws, they end up in courts where judges do what the lawmakers should be doing.

Addressing an event ‘Sansad 2020’, on Saturday (January 19), Ansari also said that good laws are made when Parliament and assemblies are not called to endorse the views of the ruler of the day.

“As we make bad laws, sooner or later they end up in some high court or the Supreme Court and what should have been done by Parliament is being done by judges,” he said adding that such a “fault” can be corrected.

The former Rajya Sabha chairman said that Parliament, which earlier used to meet for 10 days, is now sitting for 60 days per annum, while in other countries legislatures meet for 120 to 150 days.

Ansari lamented that Parliament and assembly sessions have become more of a “ritual”.

“Any law or rule to be framed, ample time is needed for discussion but parliament and assembly sessions today, have become more of a ‘ritual’ where ‘you meet, say a few things, stay a few days together and go,” he added.

The former vice president stressed that the consent of people and expression of wishes of people are essential and the consultation process has to be fair and open in a democratic system.

(With inputs from agencies)