So, what was the opposition’s point in raising the issue of how many days Parliament is going to run in the Winter Session, when it was planning anyway to ensure the proceedings would be disrupted? Why does it believe that creating commotion within Parliament in the name of ECI’s SIR would have a greater impact on public opinion than it did when invoked day and night during elections? And is the government responsible for the ongoing SIR and is it capable of doing anything about it? It is for the Election Commission to decide how to clean up and update voters’ list, as long as it is done under its mandate. If it is doing anything outside of its powers, it is the courts that need to be approached. That has been tried but nothing has come of it except for reiteration by the courts of ECI’s powers, and some clarifications on the process.
So, why the ongoing hungama in Parliament? Is it a continuation, as the BJP alleges, of an ongoing conspiracy to undermine and discredit India’s democratic institutions for ulterior purposes? Or is it because there are no other substantive issues to raise? Would pointing out shortcomings in government policies with facts and figures not impact public opinion more? Is it that the opposition is incapable of debating such issues owing to lack of talent? Those within its ranks that have the capability are now tending to agree more with the government than with their own parties.
It has been stated that discussions are on between the government and the opposition on how to deal with the SIR issue and it is to be hoped that some kind of understanding is arrived at; otherwise the session is likely to end up the same way earlier ones have – government bills passed without adequate discussion and mostly adjournments taking place.
Also, it is time for the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman to take stricter disciplinary action against members who feel entitled for some reasons to challenge the power and dignity of Parliament. Too many of them are getting away with violating rules, and being downright discourteous, thereby encouraging others to do the same. Renuka Chaudhary’s latest shenanigan is a case in point. Is it that such members are succeeding in intimidating the presiding officers with their antics? Is the Indian Parliament going to become the laughing stock of the world’s democracies? Hopefully, it will not come to that.
