Parliament’s stature as the Temple of Indian Democracy calls for it to be honoured by adequate and proportionate conduct, as sanctity of such an esteemed institution is not to be trumped by any political or personal motives.
People are more concerned with grandstanding and political one-upmanship than with discharging the solemn responsibilities of their office. This was also highlighted by the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in his speech on the last day of the first Lok Sabha, wherein he remarked, “Here, we have sat in this Parliament, the sovereign authority of India, responsible for the governance of India. Surely, there can be no higher responsibility or greater privilege than to be a member of this sovereign body which is responsible for the fate of the vast number of human beings who live in this country.”
Historically, Parliament witnessed negligible interruptions in the first two Lok Sabhas (1952-62), but things started to deteriorate from the third Lok Sabha, which saw suspensions by the Speaker on multiple occasions, arising out of disruptions caused by some members. It was also during the third Lok Sabha, that the presidential address by S. Radhakrishnan to both the Houses was interrupted by a few parliamentarians, who staged a walkout from the Central Hall. Thereafter, such incidents of disruptions have only increased, attempting to transform the House into a political arena.
The Parliament’s legacy and prestige do not hold up when it is used as a mere stage for political theatre. It not only diminishes the stature of the institution but also undermines the delicate balance of power that is so crucial to the maintenance of our parliamentary democracy. The Rajya Sabha has long been revered as the “Upper House”, it is also the very embodiment of the founding fathers’ vision of a legislative body that would temper the potential excesses of the popular will and serve as a bulwark against any tyranny of the majority.
Upon my election to the Rajya Sabha in 2022, I saw the parliamentary disruptions becoming a norm, and the constitutional obligations of the members taking a backseat. Witnessing the disruptions, I was unable to deliver my maiden speech for a year. Expressing concern over the same, I wrote to the Hon’ble Chairman, highlighting that our founding fathers would have never envisaged differential treatment amongst members of the House, be it partisan or independent, in terms of participating in the proceedings. Thereafter, due to the Chair’s intervention, I was allowed to deliver my first ever speech. Repeated attempts have been made by the Hon’ble Chairman to facilitate dialogue and normalcy, even at the cost of his individual dignity, but to no avail. This dysfunctionality also denies the member of his right to put forth issues pertaining to his respective constituency and seek appropriate solutions.
Such acts of absolute disregard for the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for simply carrying out his constitutional duties are not only unethical, but also paint a very poor picture of our nation on the global front. India’s emergence as the voice of the Global South, will inevitably call for her leading constitutional organs to discharge their duties with the highest level of conduct, integrity and efficiency. India being the largest democracy carries the extra burden of modelling herself as a guiding light, for the larger free world to take inspiration from.
This is not to suggest that we should unquestionably submit to the government’s legislative agenda or refrain from voicing our dissent. On the contrary, it is our solemn duty to scrutinize, to debate, and to challenge the proposals put forth by the executive. But we must do so in a manner befitting the sanctity of our parliamentary processes, that respects the authority of the chair, and that sets a positive example for the younger generation of citizens who are watching our every move. Civil protests like walk-out has been an effective tool used by the Opposition in the past. At least, such acts never encroached upon other member’s right to speak in the House or frustrate the proceedings. However, increasing trend of stalemating the house driven by political agendas has been a serious cause of concern.
Amidst the dark clouds of disruption shines a silver lining too; there have been umpteen instances where a unified voice from the House has triumphed over partisan priorities. Be it the 1991 economic reforms or the global pressure on India post the 1998 successful nuclear test, Parliament stood firmly behind the government. These steps were undoubtedly lambasted, with Opposition leaders labelling the economic reforms as “command budget from the IMF” and questioning the “reasons and timings” of the Pokhran tests. Despite differences of opinion, the House presented a united front on subjects of national significance. These are just a few incidents that impress upon us the monumental changes that a well-functioning Parliament can achieve.
In 2003, Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee remarked, “In a democracy, there are bound to be differences among political parties, and there is bound to be vigorous debate among divergent viewpoints in Parliament. Differences and their well-researched, articulate expression both inside and outside Parliament is the very stuff of democracy.” He further added, “But the vitality of democracy also demands discipline, constructive approach, and a readiness to contribute to consensus-building on pressing issues before the nation—and adherence to rules.”
It is, therefore, incumbent upon the members of the Parliament, to lead by example and to demonstrate the virtues of statesmanship and responsible governance. In the words of our former President Pranab Mukherjee, while criticising the Opposition, which had stalled the proceedings during the 2016 winter session: “Disruption is totally unacceptable in Parliamentary system. People send representatives to speak and not to sit on dharna and not to create any trouble on the floor.” The MPs, hence, must remember that their primary duty, within the House, is not to our respective political parties, but to the nation as a whole—to the millions of citizens who have placed their trust in us and who expect us to rise above the fray of partisan politics and to work tirelessly in the pursuit of the common good.
On the recent occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi aptly remarked, “The most troubling aspect, however, is that such behaviour (parliamentary disruptions) stifles the rights of new MPs—those who bring fresh ideas and energy from all parties. These new members are often denied opportunities to speak in the House. In a democratic tradition, every generation has the responsibility to prepare the next generations.” His statement perfectly sums up the entirety of the situation at hand and it thus becomes even more imperative that the true spirit of parliamentary etiquettes be followed by its very own members. The same shall not only expedite the ongoing transformational journey of our nation, but also resonate a deep sense of confidence amongst the general populace.
It is our moral obligation towards our constituents to represent and voice their issues at large, hence, it becomes paramount to uphold our conduct during the house proceedings. Moreover, we must acknowledge that the public’s trust in our democratic institutions is a precious and fragile commodity—one that can be easily eroded by the spectacle of petty political squabbles and unruly behaviour. It is our solemn duty, as elected representatives, to safeguard and strengthen that trust, to demonstrate the virtues of statesmanship, and to inspire the next generation of citizens to engage in the democratic process with a renewed sense of purpose and civic responsibility.
* Kartikeya Sharma is a Member of the Rajya Sabha.