ch 28
Chapter : 28 ; A Victory
The Parliament was electric with excitement. Days of heated debates and backdoor negotiations had finally come to a vote, which the Prime Minister was about to win. Animesh, the man who dared challenge the judiciary's grip on the nation's development, had won the battle. His vision for the Greenfield cities, despite all resistance, was about to become a reality.
The final vote had not been without drama. MPs from all parties had cast their lot, from passionate pleas for environmental justice to calls for national progress. But when the Speaker announced the result, a silence hung over the chamber before raucous cheers erupted on the ruling benches.
Animesh was composed, his face a picture of determination. It was not a time to rejoice but to act.
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Animesh immediately summoned his core team once the session ended. Cabinet ministers, legal advisors, and other close allies filled the room. The Prime Minister's tone was calm but firm.
"Today, we've taken a decisive step," he began. "But this victory is only temporary. The judiciary remains a powerful institution, and its ability to interfere in matters of national development could hinder us in the future. We need to ensure that such roadblocks do not arise again."
The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled on the attendees.
"What are you proposing, Prime Minister?" Mahesh, his close confidant and chief strategist, asked.
Animesh leaned forward, his voice determined. "We must propose a constitutional amendment. One that clearly defines the roles of the executive and judiciary in matters of national development. Infrastructure projects critical to the nation's progress should not be subjected to prolonged judicial scrutiny unless there is irrefutable evidence of severe issues—environmental, social, or otherwise."
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The task of drafting the amendment was given to a team of legal experts, led by Attorney General Raghavan. For the next hour, they worked tirelessly to draft a bill that would balance the need for autonomy on the part of the executive with the role of the judiciary as a safeguard.
The proposed amendment covered the following key points:
1. Executive Autonomy: Projects for infrastructure and development works could be undertaken by the government without judicial interference if they abide by existing environmental and social laws.
2. Judicial Oversight: The judiciary could interfere only when there is an overwhelming proof of violation of the constitution or when it has been found that there is grave damage to public interest.
3. Streamlined Processes: A new mechanism would be created to address any grievances related to development projects, ensuring swift resolution without compromising progress.
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The day of the bill's introduction was as historic as the day of the Greenfield cities debate. Parliament was packed, with every MP in attendance. The galleries were filled with journalists, activists, and citizens eager to witness the next chapter in this unfolding drama.
Animesh took the floor to present the bill. His speech was measured, his words chosen.
"Mr. Speaker, Members of this House, the debate we had last week was not merely on the Greenfield cities. It was concerning the future of the developmental journey for our nation. It was concerning the balance of powers among the institutions of our democracy and the need to safeguard ourselves to ensure no single institution can stop the progress of our people,"
He said with a pause.
"This amendment is not about diminishing the role of the judiciary. It is about clarity. It is about ensuring that while the judiciary continues to protect the rights of our citizens, the executive has the freedom to fulfill its mandate of governance and development. Progress must not become a casualty of procedural delays."
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Predictably, the opposition was prompt in denouncing this move. Ramesh Gupta, who leads the opposition, accused the government of overreaching.
"This amendment risks undermining the very checks and balances that are the foundation of our democracy," he said during the debate. "Development is important, but not at the cost of accountability.
Reaction outside Parliament was mixed. Business leaders welcomed the move as a harbinger that could hasten much-needed infrastructures. Environmental groups and activists condemned it, using hot words to describe the move as a dangerous precedent that would lead to lax exploitation of the nation's natural resources.
Protests broke out in various cities, with slogans accusing the government of favoring development over people. The proponents of the amendment responded with rallies of their own, saying that the country needed progress and economic growth.
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The judiciary also did not keep quiet. Chief Justice Anand Kumar issued a public statement, expressing his concern over the implications of the amendment.
The judiciary is there to uphold the rule of law," he said. "We honor the need of the executive to govern, but we have to prevent the way of governance from walking on other people's rights."
Backhauled in chambers was how to react. The amendment passed would severely circumscribe it from interfering with developments issues. It was an open attack at its authority.
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On their side, the discussion back at Parliament continued. Here Animesh and his colleagues worked day and night. And for that, private meets with MPs from all shades, be it the government camp or the opposition.
Urban Development Minister Kapoor defended the amendment passionately. "This is not about bypassing the judiciary," he said. "It's about efficiency. Do we want to be a nation that spends years litigating over every project, or do we want to be a nation that builds, that grows, that prospers?
The key opposition MP, Meera Reddy, replied, "Efficiency cannot come at the cost of justice. This amendment risks creating a situation where the executive becomes unaccountable. We must tread carefully."
The argument flew back and forth like wildfire. The tension in the chamber was palpable.
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The final words were yet to be said. Animesh stood up to make his last plea. His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable authority.
Mr. Speaker, we stand at a crossroads. The decision we make today will determine the future of our nation. Yes, risks are involved in giving the executive branch greater discretion. But there are even greater risks in preserving the status quo. Delays, inefficiencies, and endless litigation have stalled us for far too long.
He turned towards the opposition benches. "To those who oppose this amendment, I say this: we are not enemies. We all want what is best for India. But let us not allow fear to paralyze us. Let us have the courage to take bold steps, to embrace change, and to trust in the resilience of our democracy."
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The bill was put to a vote, with every MP present. The results were close, but the ruling coalition's majority ensured its passage. The Speaker announced the outcome: the amendment had been approved.
The ruling benches erupted in applause. Animesh allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. The victory was not just his; it was a victory for his vision of a stronger, more decisive India.
The passage of the amendment was a turning point in Indian politics. While critics voiced their concerns, the government wasted no time in implementing its development agenda. The Greenfield cities project, along with other infrastructure initiatives, moved forward at an unprecedented pace.
For Animesh, the fight was far from over. He knew that the amendment would be challenged in courts, protests would continue, and his critics would not give up. But for now, he has won.
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To Be Continued.