What is a ‘Secret Sitting’ of the Lok Sabha and Why Nehru Opposed It?

In parliamentary democracy, transparency is key. However, under special circumstances, the Lok Sabha (House of the People) can hold a ‘secret sitting’, where proceedings remain confidential, and neither the public nor the press is allowed access. Despite the provision for such meetings, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, never favored the idea.

What is a Secret Sitting?

A secret sitting of the Lok Sabha is a closed-door parliamentary session conducted when matters of national security or extreme sensitivity need discussion. According to Rule 248 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure, such a sitting can be called if a minister requests it and the House agrees.

Key Features of a Secret Sitting:

🔹 The session is conducted behind closed doors, and only MPs are allowed inside.
🔹 The press and public are barred from attending or reporting.
🔹 Decisions made are recorded but remain confidential unless released later.
🔹 Once the session ends, MPs are expected to maintain secrecy about the discussions.

Why Did Jawaharlal Nehru Oppose Secret Sittings?

Despite the provision, India has rarely used secret sittings, and Nehru was firmly against them.

✔ Commitment to Transparency – Nehru believed that in a democratic system, decisions should be open and accessible to the public.
✔ Avoiding Misinformation – He felt secrecy would lead to unnecessary speculation and rumors, harming public trust.
✔ Parliamentary Integrity – Nehru emphasized that discussions of national importance should be debated openly rather than in closed chambers.

Has India Ever Held a Secret Sitting?

India has held only four secret sittings, all between 1963 and 1977:

1️⃣ 1963 – Discussing India’s response after the 1962 Indo-China war.
2️⃣ 1965 – Addressing security concerns during the India-Pakistan conflict.
3️⃣ 1971 – Before the Bangladesh Liberation War, key discussions were held in secrecy.
4️⃣ 1977 – A secret session took place during the Janata Party government post-Emergency.

Final Thoughts

While secret sittings are a constitutional provision, they have been rarely used, as leaders—including Nehru—believed in democratic transparency. Today, sensitive matters are often discussed in parliamentary committees or special closed-door briefings, rather than full-fledged secret sittings.

Would you like insights into how other democracies handle secret parliamentary sessions?