Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu argued that the Indian Constitution has clearly defined roles for the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and none should "think they are supreme and overstep their limits" on Saturday.
While addressing the National Legislators' Conference (NLC), Naidu said: "The legislative powers are solely given to the legislative bodies. Whether legislation is in accordance with the Constitutional provision or not, let the courts decide. But, courts cannot make legislation. The judiciary cannot make legislation, this has to be borne in mind."
He further added that the legislature decides, the executive implements and finally, if anybody violates the provisions, one can go to court. "The judiciary must be dynamic and they must dispose of at the earliest," he said.
The remarks from Naidu came in the wake of a row over the Constitutional separation of powers as the Supreme Court directed setting up a three-member committee to select the election commissioner until Parliament enacts a law to the effect.
Expressing distress over the disruptions in the legislative assemblies and Parliament, Naidu who has served as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) suggested that it is important for political parties to have a code of conduct for their legislators and parliamentarians and ensure that "unruly scenes, tearing of papers and breaking of microphones are avoided in the legislative assemblies and Parliament."
The politician clarified, however, that he doesn’t mean there should be no opposition, differences and disagreements in the House - rather that they are the features of our democracy, but the protest must be dignified and expressed in accordance with parliamentary norms.
"Our behavior should be based on respect for each other and this should be consistently maintained during debate and protest in the assembly," Naidu said adding that people's representatives should not do any such work inside or outside the house which reduces the efficiency and dignity of parliamentary democracy.