Paralysing the Parliament

How many times have we seen the parliament of India, the world’s largest democracy, being reduced to a small time drama company’s dais where everyone either shouts or dances but nobody listens. A forum meant to sort out differences through discussions and deliberations seems to have turned into a place of battle cries and foul play. I feel sorry to compare the epitome of democracy to such things, however, one can’t help but to gasp and grumble at the mockery of the parliament by the very people who are a part of this great institution.

This institution has over the years delicately preserved the idea of India and saved it from being fragmenting into warring adversaries.

Over the years, MPs presence in the parliament has dwindled. But even if the numbers are good in the House, often no work is done as the members prefer to yell at one another on almost everything than engaging in cogent debates. Especially, if a contentious issue is raised then mostly the best way to show their might is to troop into the well of the house compelling the speaker to adjourn it. Within minutes of convening the session it is adjourned amidst protests over one issue or another which must be debated but unfortunately only deplored. The Winter Session has turned into the washed away session. They can talk, debate and use good sense of humour in a news TV studio but when in Parliament they want either roll back or walk out, no negotiations. The government contributes equally to the stalemate, it isn’t faultless either.

Questions arise, why can’t the representatives of the people behave humanly in Parliament? Why are they so parochial? They say, through talks and negotiations every problem can be solved but when in the parliament they choose anger, shouting and hurling papers instead of debates and deliberations.

 Over the last couple of years, stalling of parliament proceedings seems to have become a popular and legitimate way to protest the government on every issue and non-issue.

 The winter session of Parliament which began on 22^nd November this year has so far not been able to transact any business owing to the opposition parties’ protest against government’s decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector.  The largest opposition party BJP has pledged to not allow the Parliament function until the government rolls back its decision to allow FDI in retail sector. They say that FDI in retail would cost lakhs of jobs. The government on the other hand claims that in addition to increasing job opportunities, FDI in retail would also benefit farmers and consumers alike and also improve the supply and procurement infrastructure, lack of which results in around 40% produce getting wasted.

The UPA-II itself is not able to draw consensus on the issue as Congress allies the TMC and the DMK have publicly expressed their disapproval. Meanwhile, in an attempt to break the impasse, the Congress has reached out to its allies and the opposition by offering to hold back FDI in retail. But the opposition parties have said they want a roll back and not hold back. This is not a good sign. Last winter session had gone void due to government and opposition stand off over the opposition’s demand to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the 2G spectrum scam. The entire session was washed away because no party was ready to relent. This time too, already seven out of the 22 sittings have been wasted. If both the groups stick to their ground we may have another outright shameful example of wastage of huge amount of money and time over petty politics.

   There are so many important bills to be discussed and passed in this session. The Lokpal Bill is supposed to be passed in this session failing to which Anna Hazare would again march on to a nationwide protest against the government.

In the meantime, there have been whispers that the government alone or probably in collusion with the opposition is stalling the parliament to not let the Lokpal Bill passed in this session. That sounds preposterous!

            However, the real issue is the government and the opposition, both, showing disdain to democratic values by not letting the parliament function. While the Congress desperately wants to assert its position as the leading party in the government by taking unilateral decision like FDI in retail only  to be snubbed by its own allies. The opposition seems to be opposing the government on almost every issue just for the sake of it. It has come out that during the NDA regime, the BJP itself was mulling over allowing FDI in retail. But what is most disgusting is the opposition’s obstinacy to not let the parliament function.

   The seriousness and sincerity attached to the Parliament is fast eroding as the acts of disdain and senseless disruptions which are often absurd are seen live on tv and then shown repeatedly by tv news channels. 

It looks like our parliamentary ethics, belief in democracy and other such noble ideas have gone upside down. With the passage of time the interest and respect for parliamentary proceedings and its importance have taken a back seat.