Shiban Khaibri
” There is only one way to avoid criticism;
Just do nothing , say nothing and be nothing ….” (Aristotle)
Since most of the opposition parties in the country are seen increasingly meagre in respect of vital issues and being with a formidable deficit in prioritizing their attention on those issues which are concerning the country’s internal peace, security and stability as also urgently required reforms , economic, political and social , probably they cannot decide what to do except raising points which are suiting their narrow electoral agenda. However, since the electorate of this country , by and large , is becoming more conscious day by day of such manoeuvrings , such electoral agenda is getting shrunk and quite limited to certain pockets of the country only not going to make any impact in the long run . In other words, a mass awakening has started dawning on the political horizon of the country.
A strong opposition, on the other hand , is very much necessary for the healthy and smooth functioning of the Parliamentary democratic system . Criticism against some of the decisions of the government must be on cogent and relevant grounds and must generally be accompanied by suggestions as well. What we unfortunately see that any decision taken by the present Government or any reform brought in as also any innovative procedure adopted must all necessarily be criticised and even attempted to be criticised viciously . How does , otherwise , a list of un-parliamentary words and phrases published by the Lok Sabha secretariat be termed as ”gagging the opposition” by the Government when the list is absolutely of an advisory nature and not any order to be followed necessarily. It simply denotes- “it ought to have been preferably like….. and not it should mandatorily be like this.” Those of the Honb’le MPs who have taken strong objection to circulating the advisory may please try to know that it all is based on rulings by Presiding Officers in Parliamentary and Assembly proceedings in the country and even Commonwealth countries from time to time.
In other words, those words and phrases both in English language and other Indian languages are in hundreds which cannot and should not be spoken in the highest seat of our democratic system. We often say , “that is un-parliamentary language” denoting analogy of Parliament with all decency and highest levels of polite behaviour or etiquette hence not suitable to be spoken although exactly for those words spoken by anyone may not make him or her liable for committing any criminal offence, even in matters of uncalled for comments made unfortunately even in respect of Smt. Murmu , recently elected President of the Republic of India. Should ,therefore, the advisory in respect of un-parliamentary language/ words be objected to since everything brought out by Modi led Government, even if highly required and exactly suitable as demanded by circumstances , must be criticised, attacked and projected as dictatorial and weakening democracy, while being unfortunate does not auger well for the country. Shockingly, otherwise too, there is stoic silence of the opposition on many emerging issues and developments in the country where it must resolutely speak.
Checks and Balances system operates in Parliament proceedings too as whatever a Member Parliament says is subject to certain rules and discipline, the discretion of the members and conducting and monitoring such proceedings by the Chair – the Speaker. So, it is not only unlikely but totally unexpected too that any MP should use indecent , undignified, provocative or defamatory words inside the House. If spoken, the Speaker is empowered to have such words expunged from the proceedings of the House. There is one more thing attached to it in the sense that the entire country watches the live proceedings of the Parliament and if un-parliamentary or indecent words are spoken , that is likely to lead to lowering of the esteem of the MPs in the eyes of the public. Otherwise also , the general public is weary of disruptions and ruckus very often being seen in the Parliament instead of vigorous even forceful discussions and debates taking place.
Why should, therefore, tax payers’ money be wasted on such frivolous issues about perhaps ”right” to speak anything under the sky including perhaps derogatory words. Why should not it be sincerely seen that such an exercise is being intermittently done since 1950s and not done now for the first time and that too by Modi government . It is worth noting that Presiding Officers have given rulings many times in the context based on which new words and phrases warranting to be avoided continue to be added to the concerned list from time to time. It is not known, however, whether the new phrase coined by “young” Congress leader like ”Gabbar Singh Tax” for GST stands added into the list . Perhaps not, as it is recently seen written on placards carried in the House and tried to be captured by the cameras while the proceedings of very brief nature of the Lok Sabha were being telecast live as Congress led some opposition parties have been currently agitating inside the Parliament .
Apart from some opposition leaders who are ”committed” to oppose Modi and any of his government’s policies, another known Indian figure – actor turned politician MNM leader Kamal Haassan – has strangely condemned the new list of un-parliamentary terms released by the Lok Sabha secretariat and addressed the PM as “Mr. Hitler – this is not Germany.” He has called the said order as “choking ” of democracy and that the PM and his Ministers , in his opinion , are not open to criticism and opinions, however, not meaning that we should go back to monarchy . Haasan has also not liked the PM to ” quote profusely Thiruvalluvar” which states that ”If a King does not have anyone to point flaws, he will be ruined , even though there is no one to destroy him”. Perhaps, Haasan who appears to be too much upset with the PM for reasons better known to him only, does not know that Modi is not a King but a democratically and constitutionally elected Leader of 135 crore Indians and if the Lok Sabha secretariat issues just an advisory to Honb’le MPs to try to refrain from and not necessarily stop using words like ”Shit”, “Budmash”, “bad”, “Bluffing”, “Blackmail” “Dacoits”, “Damn”, “Liars”, “Nuisance”, “Andhi goongi sarkar”, “Ali Baba 40 Chor” etc etc , how democracy was going to be “choked” and how the PM could be Mr. Hitler . Is our democracy so much fragile and breathing on such non- entities and nothingness like disciplining the speech , if possible, not compulsorily, Hassan may please enlighten.
In anyway , discussions should reflect liveliness of the issues, participation should be intense and debates aiming at pointing flaws and deficiencies in government policies and suggesting corrective measures instead trying to showing down one another or lowering the quality of the debate . Rarely do we see live, interesting , productive and informative debates from both sides lending credence to quality and the purpose of debates. It is sad that it has now become a phrase that “democracy is murdered ( loktantra ki hatya ) “, constitutional and democratic institutions have been “finished” or moulded, “Voice of opposition is suppressed” “Bolney nahin diya jaata hai” while we see when there should be live and effective “Bolna” in the august House, demonstrations under the statue of Gandhi Ji outside the Parliament with placards are instead preferred.
The recent decision / circular to ban protests and religious ceremonies in Parliament and Honb’le MPs not to use the precincts of the Parliament House for these purposes, again, has set off a controversy as much as that Sitaram Yechury terms it as ”muzzling the ”Aatma” of India which will not succeed.” Whether, however, Communists believe in Aatma and in which sense remains to be known but it is a riddle to be solved how invincible and indestructible Aatma of this country can ever be suppressed . Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too has criticised the circular by saying, “Vishguru’s latest salvo – Dharna mana hai” . He , perhaps, conveniently forgets that his own Congress led UPA Government had issued similar circular in 2013. So, priorities need to be sorted out as there are plenty which should attract attention of the leaders of the opposition instead of raising objections on non-issues like the National emblem’s lions whether looking angry or gentle , or why is there the caste column in the recruitment application form of Agniveers .
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